Accessibility at Convocation

The University of Guelph actively addresses the needs of our graduating students, their guests, and our volunteers who require accommodations including but not limited to physical disabilities, dexterity/mobility impairments, medical disabilities, sensory disabilities/impairments, neurodiversity, psychological/emotional disabilities, and gender inclusivity, to participate in a ceremony. When required, we will work in consultation with Student Accessibility Services and the Office of Diversity and Human Rights to accommodate your needs.

We appreciate being advised, in the weeks prior to the ceremony, of any accessibility requirements so that accommodations can be arranged. If you are a graduating student, a guest and/or a volunteer requiring accommodations, please contact the convocation team.

Graduating Students

If you are a graduating student who requires accessibility arrangements for your ceremony, please contact the Convocation team during your ceremony registration period so that we can work with you to arrange appropriate accommodations. We encourage graduating students to make requests at least two (2) weeks prior to their ceremony to ensure sufficient time for planning.

Convocation is a celebration that involves crowds at both the ceremony and the informal Convocation Tea. During the ceremony, attendees can expect a mixture of speeches, music, and video presentations. Graduates can expect to stand in line for an extended amount of time as they process into the Event Centre and across the stage.

Following each ceremony, a Convocation Tea will be held in the Gryphon Fieldhouse. Please be advised that the route to the Fieldhouse involves several flights of stairs, however, an alternative accessible route is available.

Guests

Guests requiring accessibility accommodations can contact the Convocation team. We encourage guests to make requests at least two (2) weeks prior to their graduand's ceremony to ensure sufficient time for planning. Our team will do its best to make the appropriate accommodation arrangements for requests made after this timeframe.

Guests with mobility concerns can be dropped off at the accessible drop off loop near the Larry Pearson entrance of the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre (off Reynolds Walk). Event staff will direct guests to the reserved seating area.

Accessible parking can be arranged through Parking Services, please visit the Family & Guest page of the Convocation website for details. A complimentary shuttle service will also be circulating throughout the day, transporting guests from the ceremony venue, convocation tea, and parking lots.

Following each ceremony, a Convocation Tea will be held in the Gryphon Fieldhouse. Please be advised that the route to the Fieldhouse involves several flights of stairs, however, an alternative accessible route is available.

Venue information, including parking maps, washroom facilities, a campus map, and the layout of the ceremony venue, can be found on our convocation maps page.

Volunteers

Wheelchair

The Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre (GGAC) is wheelchair accessible, and there is an accessible drop-off point outside the Larry Pearson Entrance.

Vision Challenges

The GGAC is equipped with an electronic wayfinding system called BlindSquare to help people with vision challenges find their way around the facility.

Hearing Challenges

Each ceremony is closed captioned. If you or your guests require a sign language interpreter, please advise the convocation team.

Do You Require Accommodations?

We appreciate being advised, prior to June 1st, of any accessibility requirements so that accommodations can be arranged. If graduating students, guests, or volunteers require accommodations, please contact the convocation team.