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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 for guests with a placard 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 accommodation needs, Gettysburg College will provide the following on Commencement day:
- Designated parking for guests with a Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard
- Parking lot shuttle
- Designated seating
- Sensory-friendly viewing location
- ASL Interpretation
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 can be identified by orange name tags. College staff will either have an usher tag or College name tag.
Accessible Parking for Commencement
Designated parking is available in Masters Lot for guests with a Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard. Masters Lot will open for parking at 9 a.m. A 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. The shuttle will run from approximately 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. A Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard is required to park in this lot.
If you do not have a placard, you have the option of dropping off guests at the Penn Hall Drive entrance on North Washington Street (between the brick pillars) before parking in any Gettysburg College parking lot. (Please note the shuttle runs between the Constitution Lot, Masters Lot, and the entrance at Penn Hall Drive.)
Parking lot and drop-off location can be found on the interactive Campus Map, under Event: 2026 Commencement Day.
Event Accessibility
Baccalaureate
Friday, May 15, 4:30 p.m., Christ Chapel.
Seating will be reserved for guests with disabilities. Please see an usher for assistance. Please note the Chapel does not have air conditioning. Guests may also view the service virtually via the live stream, which will be available the day of the service on the Commencement website.
Accessible parking will be available in the Admissions Lot Friday only for Baccalaureate guests.
Commencement
Saturday, May 16 11:00 a.m., Pennsylvania Hall, North Side
An accessible seating section will be available this year for one guest plus one companion. Seating is limited to ensure space for all guests who have difficulty walking and require closer access to the entrance and/or the ASL interpreter. To request access, please complete this form. Instructions will be shared with you prior to the Ceremony.
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
Closed Captioning
The livestreamed videos for both the Baccalaureate Service and for the Commencement Ceremony will be closed captioned. Please visit our Commencement Weekend Coverage page to access the livestreams during and following the ceremony.
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 or fill out this form.
Sensory-Friendly Viewing Location
A sensory-friendly viewing location will be available in Weidensall Hall, room 110, during the ceremony for guests who prefer to view the livestream in a more quiet setting.
Rentals
Wheelchairs and Electric Scooters
Gettysburg College does not provide mobility devices. The following businesses may be contacted directly. We encourage you to please make your arrangements as soon as possible.
238 West Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-338-0711
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Harrisburg, PA
407-545-3103
For additional accessibility questions, please contact the Commencement team.