Accessibility at Convocation

Graduating students should expect:

• Check-in line up
• Gowning line up
• Waiting periods prior to the ceremony
• Photography opportunities
• Crowds in assembly areas with high noise levels
• Walking outdoors between marshalling area and transitioning indoors to Convocation Hall
• Steps into Convocation Hall and into graduate seating area

While seating at Convocation Hall is general admission, guests should not plan to line up more than one hour before the ceremony. The accessibility entrance is to the south-west of the main entrance.

Graduating students and guests can expect:

• Raised house lighting
• Live music, applause, cheering
• Speeches
• Graduates crossing the stage via ramp
• Collection of diploma (graduating students only)
• Approximately 90-120 minutes of processional and ceremony time
• Recessing outside following conclusion of ceremony

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation can be provided upon request. Please submit your request as early as possible, and no later than the Convocation RSVP deadline. ASL interpretation services are in high demand across Ontario, so early requests help us arrange support for your ceremony.

Accessibility accommodations may be available for graduating students with temporary or permanent disabilities, injuries, medical conditions or recovery-related needs. Depending on the circumstances, supports may include ground-level seating, reduced walking distances, priority access, day-of assistance from our student marshals, or other arrangements.

Please include your needs when completing your Convocation RSVP. If the deadline has passed, please contact the Office of Convocation as soon as possible.

For those looking for a private space, the Family Care Office has a list of designated infant-feeding spaces on campus, visit the Family Care Office website. All washrooms at Convocation Hall have change tables.  

Graduating students who foresee infant feeding during their ceremony are encouraged to make note in their RSVP and a member of the Office of Convocation team will contact you.

Registered service animals are permitted at Convocation ceremonies. Graduating students planning to attend with a registered service animal must notify the Office of Convocation when completing their RSVP.

Graduates with visual impairments or other accessibility needs who would benefit from becoming familiar with the space in advance are encouraged to contact the Office of Convocation to discuss available arrangements.

Additionally, there is a Convocation Hall 3D Tour.

Graduating students or guests who require a wheelchair, walker, scooter or other mobility aid should bring their own device. The main floor of Convocation Hall is accessible via a ramp and has an accessible entrance, washrooms and wheelchair-accessible seating.

Graduating students should request accessible seating for guests who use mobility devices or have difficulty climbing stairs or walking long distances when completing their RSVP and reserving guest tickets.

If your accessibility needs change after submitting your RSVP,  contact the Office of Convocation as soon as possible. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate late requests where possible.

If a guest’s accessibility needs arise after tickets have been reserved, the graduate should use the Contact Us Form. Efforts will be made to accommodate changes where space permits. 

We will work with graduating students on a case-by-case basis to accommodate individual needs where possible while balancing operational requirements.

Accessible seating should be requested only for the guest who requires it and, where applicable, one additional guest as a companion or support person. Depending on space and group size, all guests may be seated together or separated.