CUA is committed to promoting the full participation of all individuals with disabilities in the commencement activities Honors Convocation, Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises.
DSS provides accommodations for students and guests at CUA Commencement. These accommodations include priority seating for a guest with a disability and one companion, assistive listening devices, and sign language interpreters. Please note that DSS does not provide wheelchairs to graduates or guests. Accommodations are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For all questions not addressed below or to arrange accommodations, please contact DSS at cua-dss@cua.edu or 202-319-5211 at least two weeks prior to Commencement.
Students
Graduating students with disabilities who need accommodations along the procession route, in the seating area (this would include those who are deaf/hard of hearing, visually impaired and those with physical disabilities), getting to/from the platform area (located at the top of the stairs), obtaining their diploma on the platform or alternative formats of the commencement program need to contact DSS at least two weeks prior to Commencement
Guests
Friday, May 15, 2020:
Baccalaureate Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 4:00 pm.
- ASL interpreters will be on site
- ADA seating is first-come first-serve basis
- Arrive at 2:00 for better chance of seating
- Maximum one guest per person approved for ADA seating
- Guest may be asked to give up their seat in the ADA section if it is needed to accommodate a person with a disability)
Saturday, May 16, 2020:
- Commencement Exercises 10:00 a.m. on Basilica Lawn
- Interpreters will be on site
- ADA Seating is first-come first-serve basis
- Arrive at 8:00 for better chance of guaranteeing seating
- Maximum one guest per person approved for ADA seating
- Guest may be asked to give up their seat in the ADA section if it is needed to accommodate a person with a disability)
- Individual graduation Ceremonies
- ADA seating available
- Interpreters only available by request.
Handicap Parking
- Handicap parking is available on campus in designated locations
- Available on a first-come first-serve basis (no advanced reservations)
- A state-issued handicap license plate or placard is required
- There will be a shuttle service from parking locations on campus to the Basilica with drop off section close to the seating. See Parking for more information on parking availability during commencement activities.
Hearing Impairments
- ASL (Sign-Language Interpreters)
- Available at the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement
- Available by request only at the individual graduation ceremonies
- Must be pre-arranged and requested by Friday, April 24, 2020.
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Can be made available for anyone attending
- Must be requested though Disability Support Services by Friday, April 24, 2020.
Visual Impairments
Braille and Large Print Materials available. Must be requested through Disability Support Services by Friday, April 24, 2020.
Wheelchair Rental Information
Catholic U does not provide wheelchairs to any guests or students. Please secure a wheelchair from an outside vendor if needed. DSS office is NOT a pick-up or drop-off location for wheelchairs. Please use your own accommodations as a pick-up or drop-off location. We are not responsible for any wheelchairs left in or outside the DSS office.
Neither Catholic U nor DSS endorse any of the companies listed below. This is a list of several of the options in the area.
Alliance Convalescent & Surgical Supply, Inc.
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
BW Medical Supply Inc.
226 Reisterstown Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21208
1-800-616-8146
Tschiffely Pharmacy
1330 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.
202-331-7176
Grubbs Pharmacy and Medical Equipment
326 East Capitol Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20003
202-543-4400