Accessibility
Georgetown University Law Center is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming Commencement Weekend experience for our students, guests, and community members. We strive to design our Commencement ceremonies with accessibility in mind and incorporate the accessibility features described below.
Initial information regarding disability accommodations can be found below. All questions and requests for disability accommodations–for both graduates and their guests–should be directed to Mary Ellen Vigeant, Director of Disability Services, at mary.ellen.vigeant@georgetown.edu
Georgetown Law Celebration Days
Celebration Days are a series of program and section-specific ceremonies hosted on the Law Center campus on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, on the Eleanor Holmes Norton Green. Following each section or program ceremony, graduates and guests will be invited to a party on the Library Green.
Arrival and Parking
Parking is not available on the Georgetown Law campus. If you are using a rideshare, please use 600 New Jersey Ave., N.W. and enter campus at the Eleanor Holmes Norton Green. There are also a number of parking garages within a few blocks of campus.
Wheelchair and Mobility Device Rentals
Students are encouraged to contact Mary Ellen Vigeant, Director of Disability Services, at mary.ellen.vigeant@georgetown.edu, to indicate the need for a wheelchair (for themselves or guests).
Sign Language Interpretation
All of our section-specific ceremonies offer an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter. Designated seating will be available near the ASL interpreter. If you are attending an event other than the section-specific ceremonies and would like to request ASL interpretation, please contact the organizer of the event.
Captioning
All of our section-specific ceremonies will display captioning on screens that project the ceremony.
Accessible Seating
All of our section-specific ceremonies will have designated accessible seating for individuals with disabilities and a companion.
Programs in Alternative Formats
A limited number of large-print versions of the order of exercises for each ceremony will be available on site. Please see a staff member to request one.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome to accompany individuals with disabilities in all areas on campus that are open to members of the public. Personal pets are not allowed in any campus buildings or in the seating area for outdoor ceremonies.
Livestream of Celebration Days events
The Georgetown Law Celebration Days events will be livestreamed on the Georgetown Law YouTube page. Live captions will be included in the livestream.
Georgetown Law Commencement
The Georgetown Law Commencement Ceremony is a Law Center-wide celebration that will take place on Sunday, May 21, on the Georgetown University Main Campus.
Arrival and parking
Designated accessible parking spaces are available on a first-come, first served basis in the Southwest Quad garage. Individuals who utilize designated accessible parking spaces must display a state-issued disability license plate or placard. To maximize the availability of accessible parking spaces in the garage, if possible, please consider utilizing the drop-off area located at the entrance of the parking garage prior to parking in the garage.
The university provides free, accessible, shuttle buses for guests with disabilities to escort people from the parking facilities to the graduation site. These on-campus shuttles will make stops around Georgetown’s campus, including the front gates of the University. A map of the shuttle route and stops can be found here.
The front gates of the University, at the intersection of 37th and O Streets, is an accessible drop-off location. Please be advised that neighborhood traffic is heavy during commencement and there may be unannounced road closures as the Metropolitan Police Department manages traffic in our neighborhood.
The shuttles will make continuous runs on Sunday, May 21, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Accessible Map (Main Campus)
Georgetown provides an interactive, accessible campus map that outlines accessible routes from the Southwest garage to locations on campus commonly accessed by visitors.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
Complimentary wheelchairs will be available at Healy Circle on Sunday, May 21 from 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. Wheelchairs are for on campus use only and can be checked in and out on a daily basis according to the schedule below. You must provide a valid driver’s license or credit card to borrow a wheelchair. For information about rental of additional mobility devices, please consider reaching out to one of the following external vendors.
Sign Language Interpretation
All of our commencement ceremonies and Tropaia ceremonies offer an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. Designated seating will be available near the ASL interpreter. If you have a question regarding a specific ceremony, please contact your student’s Dean’s office. If you’re attending other events, outside of the commencement and Tropaia ceremonies, and require ASL interpretation, please contact the organizer of the event.
Captioning
All of our commencement ceremonies and all of our Tropaia ceremonies will display captioning on screens that project the ceremony. If you have a question regarding a specific ceremony, please contact your student’s Dean’s office. If you’re attending other events, outside of the commencement and Tropaia ceremonies, and would like to request captioning, please contact the organizer of the event.
Accessible Seating
All of our commencement ceremonies will have designated accessible seating for individuals with disabilities and a companion. Each school manages accessible seating for their ceremony. Graduates are required to indicate the need for accessible seating (for themselves or guests) in their commencement registration form.
Programs in Alternative Formats
Accessible programs will be available online at commencement.georgetown.edu. A limited number of large-print versions of the order of exercises for each ceremony will be available at the program tent in Healy Circle (or McDonough Gym foyer in the case of severe weather).
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome to accompany individuals with disabilities in all areas on campus that are open to members of the public. Personal pets are not allowed in any campus buildings or in the seating area for outdoor ceremonies.
Livestream of Commencement Ceremonies
The Georgetown Law Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed on the Georgetown University Facebook page. You do not need a Facebook account to view the ceremonies. Live captions will be included in the livestream.
Quiet/Sensory Space
We recognize that a high-paced celebratory environment can be overwhelming and overstimulating for many of our students, faculty, staff, and guests. There will be a quiet room with sensory tools available in the Bioethics Research Library, located on the first floor of the Healy building, room 102.