The Catholic University of America wants all of the Class of 2024 graduates and guests to have the very best experience while attending Commencement and related ceremonies. The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) has created this online form to collect 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.
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.
Other requests should be for 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.). Guests who may have limited 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. It is not necessary to complete this form to request access to the campus shuttle.
Events or activities not listed on this form are likely being planned by offices, departments or programs apart from the Commencement Planning Committee. Any needs that you or your guest(s) have related to attending these other events should be directed to those sponsors.
Should you have any questions about how to complete this form, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services at: cua-dss@cua.edu.
For full consideration of accommodation requests, please submit this form by Monday, April 15, 2024. Notification of accommodation determinations will be sent to all form respondents on a rolling basis and no later than Friday, April 26, 2024.
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