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Gettysburg College welcomes the participation of people with disabilities. Please note that there is some distance between the various Commencement venues. While we provide accessible parking and shuttle services, some walking is still necessary, so we encourage guests who need additional assistance to bring personal mobility aids.
In order to better meet the needs of guests with disabilities or special needs, Gettysburg College will provide the following during key Commencement Weekend events:
- accessible parking,
- shuttle service,
- special seating, and
- CART service
Ushers and other College staff are on duty at all functions throughout the weekend. Please do not hesitate to ask for any assistance you may need. Ushers and College staff can be identified by name tags with orange ribbons.
Accessible Parking
To arrange for accessible parking, please call Gettysburg College Campus Safety at 717-337-6912. They will need the following information to process your request:
- name of person needing parking accommodations,
- make/model/color of car,
- license plate # (including state),
- specific events for which you are requesting parking (see events below), and
- particular needs (parking, drop-off, etc.).
Baccalaureate
Friday, May 12, 2023, 4:30 p.m., Pennsylvania Hall, North Side
Accessible parking is in Admissions Lot, which is close to the Baccalaureate site at Pennsylvania Hall. See how to make arrangements above. If guests with mobility needs are unable to get from Admissions Lot to the ceremony site (a distance of about one block), you may drop off guests at the Penn Hall Drive entrance on North Washington Street (between the brick pillars) before parking in Admissions Lot.
When you reach the ceremony site, ushers with orange ribbons will be available to assist you with seating. Wheelchair spaces with companion seating are dispersed throughout the site’s general seating area.
Accessible restrooms are available in campus buildings surrounding the ceremony site. Additionally, ADA compliant outdoor portable restrooms will be available at the back of the venue, along the sidewalk at the east end of Musselman Library. Please ask an usher for assistance.
Commencement
Saturday, May 13, 2023, 11:00 a.m., Pennsylvania Hall, North Side
Accessible parking is in Masters Lot (see how to make arrangements above). Masters Lot will open for parking at 9 a.m. Shuttle service will be available to transport your party between Masters Lot and the Commencement site, as well as between Constitution Lot and the Commencement site. Two vans (one of which is accessible) will be running from approximately 8:45-11 a.m. and 1:30 (approximate end of ceremony) - 2:30 p.m.
You also have the option of dropping off guests with limited mobility at the Penn Hall Drive entrance on North Washington Street (between the brick pillars) before parking in Masters Lot.
When you reach the ceremony site, ushers with orange ribbons will be available to assist you with seating. Wheelchair spaces with companion seating are dispersed throughout the Commencement site’s general seating area.
Accessible restrooms are available in campus buildings surrounding the ceremony site. Additionally, ADA compliant outdoor portable restrooms will be available at the back of the venue, along the sidewalk at the east end of Musselman Library. Please ask an usher for assistance.
View restrooms on the interactive campus map
CART Service
Internet-based CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) service will be available at Baccalaureate and Commencement.
CART service will allow anyone to see the closed-caption transcription in real time on any wireless device that can access the Internet. The URL for accessing this service will be posted on the Commencement homepage prior to Commencement Weekend.
ASL Interpretation
ASL interpretation will be available at Baccalaureate and Commencement.
If you need seating with a direct sight line to the ASL interpreter, please ask an usher for assistance.
Rentals
Wheelchairs and Electric Scooters
The following local businesses may be contacted directly. Please make your arrangements as soon as possible to guarantee availability.
For wheelchairs:
Dick’s Homecare, Inc.
238 West Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-338-0711
Gettysburg Rental Center
720 York Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-334-0021
For electric scooters:
Choice Healthcare
S 6th St, McSherrystown
McSherrystown, PA 17344
717-630-8858
If you or your guests need additional assistance or have needs that require specialized accommodation, please call Human Resources at 717-337-6207.