Accommodations for HLS Class Day and the HLS Diploma Ceremony are available upon request for people with disabilities.
The request period ended on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. We will do our best to accommodate late requests. Please visit us at the Information Tent on Kumble Plaza on Class Day and Commencement Day if you need assistance, or email us in advance at accessibility@law.harvard.edu.
General Accessibility Information
Pre-reserved accessible parking is available for guests with disabilities in the 10 Everett Street parking garage. The parking garage is connected to the Wasserstein Hall/Caspersen Student Center, which is the building closest to the HLS ceremonies. Pre-reserved accessible parking is for one parking space per graduate. Guests who are approved for pre-reserved accessible parking will receive instructions from our office one week before the ceremonies.
Upon arrival, guests registered for accommodations should check-in at the Accessibility Tent located on Kumble Plaza, between Wasserstein and Hauser Hall.
Accessible row-style seating is located in a designated section of the field. Please note, pre-reserved accessible seating only guarantees seating in a section of designated rows, it does not guarantee seating up front.Guests are not required to check-in and sit in the accessible seating area if they find a seat in the general seating area that accommodates their needs.
For HLS Class Day, up to three seats may be reserved: one for the person requesting accessible seating and two additional seats for companions or guests. For the Law School Diploma Ceremony, up to 10 seats may be reserved to accommodate the person(s) requesting accessible seating and additional guests of the graduate.
For the University Morning Exercises, each graduate receives two tickets that are available for pick-up, by the graduate, in the Dean of Students office beginning in May. If there is a request for accessible seating, the graduate’s general tickets will be swapped out for accessible tickets.
American Sign Language (ASL) is provided at the accessible seating section for HLS Class Day, the HLS Diploma Ceremony, and the University exercises.
Captions are provided on large video screens on each side of the stage.
Wheelchair runners will be available to assist in transporting guests from the Accessibility Tent to the accessible seating section.
Wheelchair loans are available for on-campus ceremonies only and may not be taken off the premises. Wheelchair loans must be returned to the Accessibility Tent daily at the end of each ceremony.
Local rental companies are available for guests who need off-campus access to a wheelchair:
Belmont Medical Supply
185 Belmont St, Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 484-3888
Boston Orthopedic & Respiratory Equipment
175 Main St, Charlestown, MA
(617) 337-5133
Please refer to the Harvard University Commencement page for information regarding hotels or transportation.
For further information about disability-related accommodations for HLS Class Day and Commencement please contact:
HLS Accessibility Services
Hauser Hall, Suite 010
accessibility@law.harvard.edu