University Disability Services is pleased to offer the following accessibility information for Commencement 2017. The information contained on this website should be used in conjunction with the Commencement Office's website at www.commencement.harvard.edu and your school's commencement website.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is available on both Class Day May 24th and Commencement Day May 25th at the Harvard Stadium Athletics complex on North Harvard St. in Allston or at the Soldiers Field Park Garage on the Harvard Business School Campus, located at 111 Western Avenue in Allston. Please note that all parking is on first-come, first-served basis, and is in satellite parking areas. This parking will be available beginning at 6:30AM on Commencement Day, May 25th, 2017. Guests with further questions on accessibility parking needs or accommodation please send an email to disabilityservices@harvard.edu to discuss.
Shuttle and Van Service
Shuttle Service will pick up in the above mentioned parking locations on Class Day May 24th and Commencement Day May 25th. The routes then travel across campus every 10-15 minutes.The shuttles are accessible to guests using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. You can track shuttle service and get real time information on shuttle.harvard.edu. Guests with other shuttle questions can call 617-495-0400.
Van Service may also be available by request for transportation to areas not served by the shuttle. Please send an email to disabilityservices@harvard.edu with information on your request if you are interested in exploring Van Service for your visit.
2017 Shuttle Map: 2017 Commencement Shuttle Service Map
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. The companion must also have an accessible seating ticket. 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.
HARVARD COLLEGE STUDENTSRequests made Prior to and on April 21st – Graduating Seniors should contact University Disability Services (UDS) with details of their potential ticket needs as soon as possible. Please share how many tickets you are looking to exchange and what your guest’s needs are. Undergraduates may contact UDS at disabilityservices@harvard.edu. Please include: Your Name, Your Undergraduate House, # of Tickets requested and what your guest's needs are. After receiving confirmation from UDS, your accessible tickets will be available for pick up along with your remaining general seating tickets at the Senior Desk in May.
Requests made April 22nd and Later – If you have not contacted University Disability Services in advance of the date above, then you may exchange for accessible seating tickets in person at the Senior Desk. The Senior Desk is managed by the Harvard Alumni Association and will be open weekdays starting Monday May 8th through Wednesday May 24th 11am - 3pm. The Senior Desk is located at 124 Mount Auburn Street, 6th Floor, Cambridge, MA. 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.
For more information on the Senior Desk - please visit: http://alumni.harvard.edu/college/undergraduates/graduation-information
GRADUATE and PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL STUDENTS
Graduate and Professional schools manage their ticket exchange locally. Please find below a listing of school Commencement websites. If you are not sure of your school's Commencement Coordinator, please feel free to reach out to disabilityservices@harvard.edu and we would be happy to provide the direction.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
ASL is provided for the Morning Exercises and Afternoon Alumni Program at the ticketed accessible seating section in Tercentenary Theatre. Guests needing ASL should exchange general seating tickets for accessible seating tickets. Please see the Accessible Seating Ticket information tab for more details on how to exchange.
CAPTIONING
Open captions are provided on the video screens in Tercentenary Theatre. Please see the 2017 Commencement Accessibility Map for the locations of the screens.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES
ALDs will be available for the Morning Exercises and Afternoon Alumni Program held in Tercentenary Theatre. The will be loaned out first-come first served from the UDS Information Table by Weld Hall. To arrange for an ALD loan, we recommend requesting in advance via email to disabilityservices@harvard.edu.
BRAILLE PROGRAM
Please contact our office at disabilityservices@harvard.edu 3 weeks (if possible) in advance of your arrival on campus in order to provide the necessary time to convert text to Braille.
WHEELCHAIR RUNNERS
University Disability Services will have staff at the gates to Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day. These staff will be providing wheelchair assistance (rides) from the gate to the guest’s seat in Tercentenary Theater, either to general seating or accessible seating. No reservation is needed for the wheelchair runner service.
WHEELCHAIR RENTAL
HARVARD COLLEGE: University Disability Services has a limited quantity of wheelchairs which will be made available for courtesy loan to Harvard College undergraduates on a first come first served basis. The loan period is from midday Wednesday May 24th to midday Friday May 26th. There is no cost for this loan. To request: please send an email to disabilityservices@harvard.edu. Pickup and drop off details will be provided upon confirmation. It should be noted, that our office does not have the staffing to provide pushers to accompany the wheelchairs. If you are looking for a longer term wheelchair loan (several days to a week), there are many local vendors also rent wheelchairs for a cost and they are listed below.
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS: Contact your school's Commencement Coordinator to see whether they may have courtesy wheelchair loans available. If not, please see the rental resource information below.
LOCAL RENTALS: There are a number of medical equipment rental companies in the local area. Wheelchairs, walkers and scooters may be rented from local vendors that provide short term loans for a cost. Family and friends needing such wheeled mobility aids are strongly encouraged to reserve necessary equipment well in advance of coming to campus.
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1. Belmont Medical Supply |
2. Boston Orthopedic & Respiratory Equipment |
GETTING AROUND
Q: I am coming to graduation and am not sure how I will be able to find my way around campus.
A: There will be ample directional signage related to accessibility seating and restrooms in and around Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day. Additional campus accessibility information is available at http://accessibility.harvard.edu/getting-around/accessibility-map
Campus Accessibility Map
To find useful information regarding accessible pathways and building entrances in a variety of areas, please visit the Harvard University Campus Map. This is an interactive map and offers various features such as:
ACCESSIBLE LODGING
Q: What hotels have accessible lodging available during Commencement Week?
A: 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.
Commencement Day Schedule – Thursday May 25th
See more of the event schedule at: http://commencement.harvard.edu/events-schedule
Tercentenary Theatre: The Commencement Exercises, Afternoon Alumni Program, and Undergraduate Class Day are held in Harvard Yard's Tercentenary Theatre. The Tree Spread Luncheon is held in the Old Yard adjacent to Tercentenary Theatre.
Accessibility Map: 2017 Commencement Accessibility Map. This map includes general accessibility information, including the locations of the LED screens with captioning, accessible entry gates, ticketed accessible seating section, accessible toilet rooms, first aid stations, and the University Disability Services Information table.
Wheelchair Runners: University Disability Services (UDS) will have staff at the gates to Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day. These staff will be providing wheelchair assistance (rides) from the gate to the guest’s seat in Tercentenary Theater, either to general seating or accessible seating. No reservation is needed for the wheelchair runner service.
Simulcast/Remote Viewing via Web or Comcast (local): Guests may also be interested to know there is webcast viewing available online for Harvard’s Commencement Morning Exercises and Afternoon Alumni Program. More information about the webcast is available on the Commencement website - http://commencement.harvard.edu/general-information or http://www.harvard.edu/live-stream. In the Boston/Cambridge area, the ceremony is also broadcast on Channel 283.
REUNION EVENTS AND TREE SPREAD LUNCHEON
For more information, please visit: http://alumni.harvard.edu/college/reunions-events
Parking for Reunion Events
Accessible Parking is available for Reunion guests in all Reunion Parking locations on a first come, first served basis. Please utilized the designated accessible spaces and display your Reunion parking permit. For any questions, please contact the College Alumni Programs Office at 617-496-7001.
Parking for the Tree Spread Luncheon
Accessible Parking is available for Tree Spread guests at the Athletics Complex, south of campus. Please enter via Gate 8 and a parking attendant will direct you to a parking spot. After you park, there will be accessible shuttles available to take you to the Harvard Yard’s Tercentenary Theatre. The shuttle buses will be running continuously on a schedule of every 10-15 minutes offering transportation across campus. The shuttle buses are accessible for guests using wheelchairs. An interactive map of Harvard's Campus is available at www.map.harvard.edu.
2017 Shuttle Map: 2017 Commencement Shuttle Service Map
Wheelchair Runners: University Disability Services (UDS) will have staff at the gates to Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day. These staff will be providing wheelchair assistance (rides) from the gate to the guest’s seat in Tercentenary Theater, either to general seating or accessible seating. No reservation is needed for the wheelchair runner service.
Accessibility Map: 2017 Commencement Accessibility Map. This map includes general accessibility information, including the locations of the LED screens with captioning, accessible entry gates, ticketed accessible seating section, accessible toilet rooms, first aid stations, and the University Disability Services Information table.
Campus Accessibility Map
To find useful information regarding accessible pathways and building entrances in a variety of areas, please visit the Harvard University Campus Map. This is an interactive map and offers various features such as:
