Guests with Disabilities
Information for Guests with Disabilities
Harvard welcomes family members and guests with disabilities on Commencement Day, Thursday, May 30, 2013. Graduating Seniors and Advanced Degree Candidates are strongly encouraged to exchange general Commencement tickets for accessible seating tickets as soon as possible following May ticket distributions by visiting University Disability Services located at 935 Holyoke Center, Monday-Friday 9:30AM-5:00PM.
Accessible-seating and other reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities in Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day. For information related to reasonable accommodations, obtaining accessible seating tickets and/or answers to frequently asked disability-related questions, graduating students and guests should visit University Disability Services (UDS) website at www.acccessibility.harvard.edu often as updated Commencement information will be posted as soon as it becomes available or by contacting University Disability Services at disabilityservices@harvard.edu or 617-495-1859.
Accessible seating tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be distributed until all tickets are gone. Harvard will make every effort to accommodate parents and guests without accessible seating tickets on the morning of Commencement, however accessible seating is limited and advanced planning is strongly encouraged.
The accessible seating section adjacent to University Hall is clearly marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility.
Please review the "Frequently Asked Questions" page (FAQ's) for information that will help to make your visit to Harvard and attendance at Commencement most enjoyable.
Additional questions regarding accessibility accommodation needs for Commencement events should be directed to disabilityservices@harvard.edu.
Students and guests are encouraged to visit the Commencement Office web-site often for additional and updated information at: www.commencement.harvard.edu.
Question: My son is graduating from Harvard College and we, his family, will be attending Commencement. We will have 4 persons in our party, with one individual needing wheelchair seating. How can you assist us?
Graduates are strongly encouraged to exchange general Commencement tickets for accessible seating tickets as soon as possible following May ticket distributions by visiting University Disability Services located at 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Holyoke Center, room 935. The office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:30AM-5:00PM. Accessible seating tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be distributed until all tickets are gone. In order to accommodate as many family members and friends with disabilities as possible in the reserved seating area, individuals with an accessible seating ticket will be permitted to have one companion accompany them into the accessible seating section. Harvard will make every effort to accommodate parents and guests without accessible seating tickets on Commencement Day, however accessible seating is limited and advanced planning is strongly encouraged.
The accessible seating section adjacent to University Hall is clearly marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility.
Students and guests are encouraged to visit the Commencement Office web-site at: www.commencement.harvard.edu often for additional and updated information.
Question: I am a graduating senior and my grandmother, who uses a wheelchair, will be coming to Commencement. How do I make sure my grandmother has accessible seating?
Answer: Bring one of the 4 general tickets you will receive in May to Holyoke Center, room 935, and exchange it for a ticket to the accessible seating section.
Question: May another member of my family sit in the accessible section with my grandmother?
Answer: Yes, each person with a ticket into the accessible seating area may have one companion sit with him/her in the accessible seating section. Important note: The companion must also have a ticket into the accessible seating section.
Question: How do I get a ticket for a companion?
Answer: From the 4 general seating tickets that you will receive in May, you can exchange one ticket for the guest that requires accessible seating and another for a companion who is permitted to sit in the accessible seating area. Please visit the Holyoke Center, room 935, from 9am-5pm to exchange your tickets.
Question: Will the accessible seating ticket gain admission into Tercentenary Theatre as well as the accessible seating section.
Answer: Yes.
Question: I am a Divinity School advanced degree candidate and my father is disabled and uses a walker. What seating options does he have?
Answer: You may bring one of the 2 general tickets you will receive in May to the Holyoke Center, room 935, and exchange it for a ticket to one of the accessible seating sections. Your father may also sit in the general seating section.
Question: I will be attending the Commencement ceremonies and will need accessible parking close to the Yard. How do I reserve a space?
Answer: The University Disability Services Office and the Harvard Parking and Transportation Offices have teamed up to ensure plenty of accessible parking spaces. Please visit the Commencement Office Web-site for Transportation and Parking options.
Individuals needing accessible parking spaces are encouraged to plan ahead.
Question: What hotels have accessible lodging available during Commencement Week?
Answer: Most Boston-Metro hotels offer accessible lodging. Family and friends needing accessible lodging are strongly encouraged to reserve accessible hotel rooms as far in advance as possible.
Question: I am coming to my granddaughter's graduation and will need to rent a wheelchair for a variety of graduation events?
Answer: There are a number of medical equipment rental companies in the local area. Wheelchairs, walkers and scooters may be rented from Belmont Medical Supply (www.belmontmedical.com/). Family and friends needing such wheeled mobility aids are strongly encouraged to reserve necessary equipment well in advance of coming to campus.
Question: I am deaf and will be attending my nephew's Commencement. I plan to attend the morning Commencement as well as the House ceremonies. How do I request an interpreter or CART?
Answer: The Commencement Day ceremonies will be sign language interpreted in the accessible seating area. You will need a ticket for the accessible seating area (See Question 1). Open captioning is provided on the large LED screens conveniently located in Tercentenary Theatre. To request sign language interpretation or CART for House and diploma ceremonies, Class Day events, or Morning Commencement ceremonies, you must contact Jody Steiner at jody_steiner@harvard.edu or call University Disability Services at 617- 495-1859.
Question: My mother, who is blind, will be attending Commencement. Is it possible to provide her with a Braille copy of the Commencement Program?
Answer: Contact the University Disability Services Office at least 3 weeks in advance of your arrival on campus in order to provide the necessary time to convert text to Braille.
Question: I will be attending my son's graduation and will need to know the locations of several accessible restrooms. How can I obtain this information?
Answer: Accessible restroom locations on Commencement Day are located in Weld and Thayer.
Question: I am coming to my daughter's graduation and am not sure how I will be able to find my way around campus.
Answer: There will be ample directional signage related to accessibility seating and restrooms in and around Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day. Additional accessible information is available at http://accessibility.harvard.edu/getting-around/accessibility-map.