CUA is committed to promoting the full participation of all individuals with disabilities in the 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 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, low vision and 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 two weeks prior to Commencement
Guests
Friday, May 17 4:00 p.m. Baccalaureate Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
- ASL interpreters will be on site
- ADA seating is first-come first-serve basis
- Arrive at 3:00 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 18
- 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 license plate or placard is required
- There will be a drop off section close to the seating
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 27. There are a limited number of qualified interpreters in the greater Washington D.C. area and all of the other local universities are also trying to secure their services the same weekend.
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Can be made available for anyone attending
- Must be requested though Disability Support Services by Friday, April 27
Visual Impairments
Braille and Large Print Materials available. Must be requested through Disability Support Services by Friday, May 2.
Wheelchair Rental Information
Neither CUA 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