The Catholic University of America wants all Class of 2025 graduates and their guests to have the very best experience while attending Commencement and related ceremonies. Several months prior to graduation, The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) will request information about any physical/mobility, visual, or hearing impairment(s), or other disability needs that graduating students and/or their guests may have, so that DSS and the Commencement Planning Committee may coordinate and communicate what accommodations can be offered.
The request form will be available on or around February 3, 2025 at this webpage for students to complete for full consideration of accommodation requests.
Graduating students requiring accommodations along the procession route, in the seating area (this would include those who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind or low vision, and those with physical disabilities), getting to/from the platform area, obtaining their diploma on the platform or obtaining alternative formats of the commencement program should indicate these needs on their online form.
Guests who have a specific disability or condition that would require a specific accommodation (e.g. access to an ASL Interpreter, Commencement program in Braille, specialized seating for wheelchair/motorized scooter, etc.) will also be accommodated. Graduating students will have access to a form to request accommodations on behalf of their guests.
Guests who may have challenges physically navigating campus will be able to utilize the campus shuttle that will run a specified loop around campus and in proximity to most Commencement event locations. Recommendations for accessible drop off locations close to specific events will also be provided to minimize walking distances for compromised guests.
Should you have any questions at this time, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services at: cua-dss@cua.edu.
Catholic University does not provide wheelchairs to any guest or graduate. Please secure a wheelchair from an outside vendor if needed. The DSS office cannot be designated as a pick-up or drop-off location for wheelchairs. Please coordinate directly with an outside vendor to designate a pick-up or drop-off location; it is suggested that that location not be within the interior of campus as some streets will have restricted access and overall vehicular and pedestrian activity will be very high on Commencement Day. Catholic University cannot be responsible for any wheelchairs left in or outside the DSS office or on campus. Neither Catholic University nor DSS endorse any of the companies listed below. This is a list of several outside vendors in the local area.
Alliance Convalescent & Surgical Supply
1217 Brentwood Road, NE
Washington, D.C. 20018
202-526-2066
New Hampshire Pharmacy & Medical Equipment
5001 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20011
202-726-3100