Accessibility

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive Listening Devices are available for guests attending ceremonies on Old Campus.

Accessibility Dropoﬀ Near Old Campus

There will be designated accessibility drop-off areas for Baccalaureate and Class Day and Commencement. Drop off for guests with mobility issues can be made at Elm and High Streets and High and Chapel Streets, the intersections closest to our area of reserved seating for guests with accessibilty needs and their families. No special sticker is needed, and we will have ushers available to assist.

Please note for Commencement Day, drop-off should be no later than 9:20 a.m., since streets surrounding Old Campus will be closed shortly thereafter in preparation for our procession, which begins promptly at 10 a.m.

Drivers can also park at Science Park Garage, 276 Winchester Avenue, where a shuttle will run beginning at 8:00 a.m. Return shuttles to the garage will run from Phelps Gate until 5:30 p.m. All shuttle service ends at 6 p.m. Please note that this Science Park shuttle service from/to Old Campus is provided on Monday only.

Please provide ample time for drop off, moving your car, and returning to Old Campus. If you prefer, you can also access paid parking downtown in the York Street or Temple Street public parking garages. On-street parking during Commencement weekend is scarce and usually limited to two hours or less.

Accessibility Parking

Cars with valid tags or license plates from any state or cars using accessibility drop-off locations will be accommodated in Science Park Garage, 276 Winchester Avenue, from 4:00 p.m. Friday through 12:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Shuttle Service to Old Campus

Wheelchair-accessible vans and other transport vehicles are on-call 24 hours a day on Commencement weekend. To schedule a pick-up, please call 203-281-5470 prompt 1. Please call 30 minutes before desired pick-up. Please let the dispatcher know whether you need an accessible van or if you can be accommodated by a sedan or SUV.

Although shuttles are available to take Commencement guests to some diploma ceremonies, the streets surrounding Old Campus are extremely congested. Guests of colleges and schools at a distance from Old Campus may find it convenient to use a wheelchair for frail family members.

Some professional schools reserve buses to take their Commencement guests to diploma ceremonies. These buses will be parked on College Street, facing north.

Seating for Old Campus

Old Campus is a relatively flat, grassy rectangle with accessible entrances on College, High, and Chapel Streets. In addition to these accessible public entrances, persons with acessibility issues or those who are frail along with accompanying family members may enter Old Campus via a specially marked gate on High Street near the Yale Post Office. There is a jumbo screen in front of this section that provides a clear picture of the ceremonies and ASL interpretation. Guests can also ask a volunteer in this area for an assistive listening device. There is no restriction on number of accompanying family members, and we are usually able to accommodate all who wish to sit in this area. All of Old Campus is accessible, however, should you prefer to sit elsewhere.

Accessible Restrooms on Old Campus

The Old Campus service map, which can be downloaded here, highlights the locations of all accessible restrooms on Old Campus including the one on High Street opposite the special wheelchair entrance. A similar map will be featured in the Commencement program.

Rain

Unless weather conditions are dangerous or severe, Commencement and Class Day will take place outside on Old Campus, although processions and programs may be shortened.

Guests in wheelchairs and all accompanying family members may view simulcasts of Class Day and Commencement in Linsly Chittenden Hall, 63 High Street. Additional livestream information can be found below.

Diploma ceremonies in some residential colleges and schools may be moved to alternative locations, which will be posted as they become available.

Livestreams

Class Day and Commencement, in addition to the Graduate School Diploma Ceremony, are available for livestreaming from the Yale YouTube Channel. Livestreams of major ceremonies will also be posted to this site’s homepage on the weekend of Commencement.

Livestreams of Class Day exercises will be available for viewing at the following locations, all of which are wheelchair accessible:

Linsly-Chittenden Hall, 63 High Street
Battell Chapel, 400 College Street

Livestreams of Monday’s Commencement ceremony will be available for viewing at Linsly-Chittenden Hall and Battell Chapel.

Access Map

The interactive Yale Campus map includes information about building accessibility. Click on the building you are seeking information on or use the search navigation bar to find a building or area on campus. Once you have selected the building, click on the drop down labeled “Accessibility” to find accessibility details.