Accessibility

GW is committed to providing universal access to all of our events including Commencement on the National Mall and school celebrations. If you have questions about accommodations, contact Disability Support Services at dssgwu [dot] edu (dss[at]gwu[dot]edu). Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Accessibility at Commencement

Accessibility at School Celebrations

Accessibility at Commencement on the National Mall

The National Mall is an outdoor, grassy area with concrete walkways. GW’s Commencement site has no shade or covering. There are shady areas underneath the trees that line our Commencement site; they fall outside of our reserved space and are open to the public, and guests, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The plastic flooring that covers all guest and graduate seating areas, and is required by the National Park Service, can become slippery to walk on if there is rain or condensation remaining from the morning dew. Use caution when walking on the flooring as it may be uneven in areas.

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ADA Parking

There is no reservable, dedicated ADA parking on the National Mall. Limited public accessible parking spaces are available. A number of privately-owned parking garages are located within about half a mile of the Commencement site. Parking fees vary by location.

ADA Seating and Drop-Off on the National Mall

An ADA seating area is reserved for guests who have limited mobility; they may be accompanied by, and seated with, one guest. The ADA seating section is located in close proximity to the drop-off location.

To gain access to the drop-off area, students and guests may print a placard for their vehicle. The placard will be available for download in early May.

Graduate ADA Seating

Graduates with limited mobility who require ADA seating at Commencement on the National Mall should report to the backstage check-in tent. No reservation is required for graduates in ADA seating.

Lactation, Nursing, and Changing Areas

Private lactation, nursing, and changing areas with electrical outlets, tables, and chairs will be available at Commencement on the National Mall. No refrigeration or storage is provided. Check with event staff or reference our site map (available by early May) for their locations.

Shade and Heat

There is no shade available in any guest seating area, including no shade in the ADA seating section. Guests may not use umbrellas as they block the view of other guests; umbrellas are allowed in the overflow viewing area.

The plastic flooring used in all guest seating areas, which is required by the National Park Service, has a reflective surface that makes the seating area very bright and can increase the air temperature by 3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Service Animals

Consistent with National Park Service guidelines, only service animals are allowed at Commencement on the National Mall.

Strollers

Collapsible strollers are allowed at Commencement on the National Mall in the guest seating area if they do not block the aisles.

Visual and Audio Aids at Commencement

The Commencement site on the National Mall will have large screens with closed-captioning. A reserved area near the front of the stage is available for those who need American sign language (ASL) interpretation.

The printed program will be available on the Commencement website for those who require a large-print version.

An array of speakers for sound amplification will be available throughout graduate and guest seating.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) will be available at Commencement on the National Mall. Guests requiring ALDs or ASL interpretation should notify event staff.

Wheelchairs, Motorized Scooters, and Canes on the National Mall

The National Mall ceremony site is covered by uneven plastic flooring that may be slippery in the event of precipitation. Guests should use caution when walking on this surface or any of the surrounding areas.

No wheelchairs are available for guests Guests with mobility issues may rent wheelchairs and scooters if they need them for an extended period of time. Due to the individualized nature of mobility devices, guests are asked to make arrangements to secure a mobility device that supports their needs before the event. The university has compiled a list of providers for your convenience:

Accessibility at School Celebrations on Campus

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ADA Seating at School Celebrations on Campus

The Charles E. Smith Center, the University Student Center, and Lisner Auditorium have ADA seating available. Guests should check in with an usher when they arrive for access to ADA seating. Graduates who require accessible seating during their school celebration should notify their school.

Lactation, Nursing, and Changing Areas

The University Student Center (800 21st Street, NW) has a lactation room available on the 2nd floor, near the women’s restroom. Most women’s and all-gender restrooms on campus have changing stations available.

Parking

All university visitor parking garages are ADA compliant. Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to standard parking fees. Visit the university’s parking website for more information about parking locations and fees.

Service and Emotional Support Animals

Service animals are allowed in university buildings. Only animals who meet the definition of a service animal have access to university facilities.

Strollers

Collapsible strollers are allowed in all campus buildings including the University Student Center, Lisner Auditorium, and the Charles E. Smith Center. They must not block any entrances, exits, aisles, or pathways. In the Smith Center, strollers will be stored underneath the bleachers during events.

Visual and Audio Aids

The Charles E. Smith Center, Lisner Auditorium, and the Betts Theatre all have in-room sound amplification systems for school celebrations. These venues have assistive listening devices available for guests. Check-in with venue staff when you arrive for access to the wheelchair seating area.

The printed program for each school celebration will be available on that school’s website for those who require a large-print version. Click on the school’s name in the Commencement Schedule for access to its website.

American Sign Language (ASL) will be present at all school celebrations.

School celebrations in the Charles E. Smith Center will have Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) services.

School celebrations in Lisner Auditorium will have auto-generated captions available on their livestream video of the events. For a link to the livestream, click on the event in the Commencement Week schedule which will be made available in the fall semester. Note: the livestream link will be posted the day of the event.

Wheelchairs, Motorized Scooters and Canes

No wheelchairs or scooters are available for use at school celebrations. Guests may rent wheelchairs and scooters if they need them for an extended period of time. Due to the individualized nature of mobility devices, guests are asked to make arrangements to secure a mobility device that supports their needs before the event. The university has compiled a list of providers for your convenience:

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available at campus venues. Guests in these sections may have one companion sit with them. Any remaining guests that do not require accessible seating must sit in the general seating areas. Check-in with venue staff when you arrive for access to the wheelchair seating area.