COMMENCEMENT 2013 - GUEST AND GRADUATE ACCOMMODATIONS
Access services for the Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 25, 2013 in Cox Stadium will be available to graduates and guests who are elderly and/or have mobility limitations or other disabilities. Please be aware that the procession of graduates moves down a steep hill into Cox Stadium but transportation may be arranged through Disability Programs and Resource Center.
The event will take place rain or shine, however there is no shade or other protection in the stadium, and the weather in San Francisco is unpredictable and subject to drastic changes throughout the day. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended, and sunscreen and a hat may also be very beneficial. Personal attendant services will not be provided. Attendees who are unable to stand for long periods of time or to walk from their vehicle to the shuttle stop are strongly encouraged bring a wheelchair. A number of local businesses rent wheelchairs on a daily or weekly basis. More information about renting a wheelchair can be found at the bottom of this page.
The Processional of graduates begins at 12:15 pm, but guests requiring transportation to the stadium and seating on the field must arrive on campus between 10:15 and 11:30 am. Parking and transportation to the seating area cannot be guaranteed once the processional begins. More information about Commencement can be found at http://www.sfsu.edu/commencement/.
Requests for accommodations can be made through May 3, 2013, at http://www.sfsu.edu/commencement/dprc_request.htm. For requests received after May 3rd, seating on the field may be limited. If you have questions or difficulty completing the online form, contact Susan Lai at 415-338-6148 or email sslai@sfsu.edu for more information on access and special accommodations for students and guests.
Guest services
Services for deaf or hard of hearing guests
The entire ceremony will be open-captioned on a Jumbotron screen located near the stage. Reservations for seating near a sign language interpreter will accepted through May 4th. To ensure that there is enough seating for everyone, a maximum of two persons may accompany the deaf or hard of hearing guest.
If you plan on driving to the event, shuttle service will operate between the Parking Garage and the stadium from 10:15 am until 12 pm. Space in the Garage is limited and only one disability parking pass per graduate will be issued. Seating and parking passes will be mailed out in May.
Guest seating and transportation
For guests who are not able to walk long distances from the parking lots or down the bleacher steps into the stadium, there are several alternatives available for viewing the ceremony.
Option 1 –
Wheelchair accessible general seating: The upper north side of the stadium is designated for guests with mobility limitations and all members of their parties, and is accessible from the main campus. Reservations are not required for this section and seating is on a first come, first served basis. This is good choice if you have a wheelchair or scooter, do not require transportation to the stadium, or have a party of more than 3 people. If you decide to sit in this section, you do not need to park in the disability section of the Parking Garage. Note: all pedestrian traffic between the south side of the Parking Garage and the main stadium gates will be suspended from approximately 12 to 1 pm for the processional of graduates.
Option 2 –
Transportation to seating and ASL interpreters: This option is recommended for guests who can walk a distance of 2 to 3 blocks on level ground from the shuttle drop-off point located behind the stage, but are not able to sit on bleachers or walk up and down stairs. Guests requiring access to an American Sign Language interpreter will want to also sit in this section. Accessible shuttles will provide transportation to the stadium floor. Seating will be on plastic folding chairs on a first come, first served basis, but you must put in your request for passes to this section no later than May 3rd. A maximum of two persons may accompany the guest with the disability. To arrange for accommodations, submit an online request or contact Susan Lai at 415-338-6148 or sslai@sfsu.edu. Seating and parking passes will be mailed out in May.
Wheelchairs: A very limited number of wheelchairs are available on the stadium floor at no charge, but identification must be left at the Checkout Station while using the wheelchair. Guests who are unable to stand for extended periods of time are strongly encouraged to bring their own, as the wait time for the shuttles may be as long as an hour. Wheelchairs can be rented by the day or the week from a number of local vendors. More information about renting a wheelchair can be found at the bottom of this page.
Transportation from the Parking Garage: For those guests who will be driving to the event, free shuttle service will run from the Parking Garage to the stadium until 12 pm. Space in the Garage is limited and only one disability parking pass per graduate will be issued.
Transportation from the main campus: If you are taking public transportation, we recommend that you arrive between 10 am and 11 am and request assistance at the information table located near the 19th Avenue bus stop. You may also contact the University Police Department at 415-338-7200 on the day of the event if you are attending a pre-commencement ceremony or reception and need to request a pick up from other locations around campus. Please note that due to the large number of guests on campus and the line-up of graduates, wait times for the shuttle may be between 15 minutes and an hour.
Option 3 –
Indoor seating: Cox Stadium is an outdoor venue with no shade or protection from the weather so guests who are susceptible to sun or cold may prefer to view a live broadcast of the ceremony indoors in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. The Student Center is wheelchair accessible and food and restrooms are located in the building. Tickets are not required. Transportation will be provided upon request, but subject to delay due to the large number of guests and graduates expected to attend.
If you have any questions, please contact Susan Lai, at (415)338-6148 or sslai@sfsu.edu.
Graduate services
Graduates participating in the processional, will line up on campus and proceed down a steep hill into Cox Stadium. Wheelchair or scooter users should proceed to the front of their college lineup and once in the stadium, sit at the end of the aisle. The stage where you will receive your diploma cover is wheelchair accessible.
If you have any questions about access services, please complete an online request or contact Susan Lai at 415-338-6148 or email sslai@sfsu.edu.
Access to the ceremony:
You can bypass the lineup and procession by making arrangements with DPRC for transportation into the stadium where you can join your college as they march in. If you believe that you may have difficulty getting to and from the stadium or stage (for example, students with visual impairments) you may bring an attendant or make arrangements with someone in your graduating class to accompany you. Contact DPRC for additional information about attendants.
Transportation:
This information is for students who do not wish to join the processional, but would prefer transportation into the stadium instead.
Transportation from the Parking Garage:
Accessible shuttle buses will operate from the Parking Garage to the stadium but you must arrive at the disability parking area between 10:15 and 11:30 am. Parking and transportation cannot be guaranteed once the processional begins at 12:15 pm.
Transportation from the main campus:
DPRC can provide transportation, from 10 am to 4 pm, from the main campus if you are arriving by public transportation or attending one of the pre-ceremonies, however wait times can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour due to the large crowds expected on that day. Call the University Police Department at 415-338-7200 to request a ride (advance reservations cannot be accepted).
If you plan to attend one of the events following the ceremony, you may wish to arrange for someone in your party to bring your car to a convenient meeting place afterwards or contact the University Police Department at 415-338-7200.
Captioning and Interpreting Services:
The entire ceremony will be open-captioned on a Jumbotron screen located near the stage and visible throughout the stadium. If you prefer to be seated near an ASL interpreter, you should proceed to the front row of the north disability seating section instead of sitting with your college. Near the end of the ceremony, you will rejoin the graduates as they cross the stage to receive their diplomas and exit the stadium.
Local Wheelchair Rental Agencies
This is a list of local businesses that rent wheelchairs on a daily or weekly basis. It is not a comprehensive list, or an endorsement or recommendation by the university. All information and fees should be verified with the vendor before renting any equipment.
Allure Mobility
851 Van Ness Avenue, #1
San Francisco CA 94109
(415) 447-0000
Rentals available on a weekly basis at the rate of $49 per week. No referral from doctor necessary.
A/Z Medical Supply
2100 Clement Street
San Francisco CA 94121
(415) 831-2330
Rentals are available on a daily basis for $35 per day or weekly for $50 per week. There is no referral necessary for private party payment.
Royal Medical Supply
1024 Mission Street
San Francisco CA 94103
(415) 431-9900
Rentals available for a minimum of 3 days at a rate of $35 per day. No referral from doctor necessary.
Golden Years
1423 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco CA 94112
(415) 333-0746
Rentals available on a weekly basis. Rates vary depending on type and size of chair from $35-$45. There is a $50 fee for delivery and pick up of the chair.
ITC Medical
(800) 661-4907
(415) 387-7100
4373 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94118
Rentals available on a weekly basis for $55 per week.
