1. Student Experience
  2. Campus Experience
  3. Traditions and Annual Events
  4. Commencement
  5. Commencement Accommodations

Commencement Accommodations

If students or any of their guests have disability-related needs that require accommodation during the Commencement ceremony, please complete this form with information about your request as soon as possible but no later than April 30. Timely completion will help ensure ensure adequate planning time. However, in all situations a good-faith effort will be made to provide accommodations up until the time of Commencement. The information you provide will only be shared with those individuals coordinating accommodations.

The following accessible elements will be in place during the Commencement ceremony:

  • accessible bathrooms
  • automatic door openers
  • handicap plate or tag parking and a drop area close to the venue
  • ramps on either side of the stage
  • space enough for service animals to cross the stage with their graduate
  • CART services (live captioning)

We will also have a satellite viewing space with limited sensory elements where we will be streaming the ceremony with live captions. This experience for family and friends of the graduate is all on one level. There is also no stadium seating for the main Commencement ceremony; all guest seating in the Field House is on one level with no stairs. Graduates will be lining up in a second-floor auditorium and processing down two flights of stairs into the Field House. Elevator access is available. 

Please note we do not provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs can be rented at Hometown Healthcare Store located in Northampton. Beginning on April 1, you can reserve a wheelchair via their online form. You can reach the store by phone at (413) 320-4665. 

We look forward to having you with us for Commencement 2023!

Accommodations for additional Commencement-related events

The Commencement Accommodation Request Form is to request accommodations for the main commencement ceremony only.

If you have questions about or need to request accommodations for additional Commencement-related events please contact the event coordinator for that event. Contact information can be found on individual event listings in the Mount Holyoke Events calendar and on the Commencement page.

If you have any general questions or concerns about the accessibility of Commencement and related events please contact the Commencement Committee.