Graduates' Guests with Disabilities
If you are the GUEST of a graduating student and have a disability, please review the following information specific to the location of the ceremony you are attending. If you are a graduating student with a disability that impacts your participation in your ceremony, please see the FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) link which will appear under your ceremony listing by early February.
Quick Links:
ALUMNI ARENA
If I am the GUEST OF a graduate and I have a disability, what accommodations will be available?
- Handicap Parking Lots & Spaces may be accessed by those with official handicap parking hangtags. The University at Buffalo does not issue these.
- For guests who are unable to walk from the parking lot, please pull up on Coventry Loop to drop them off in front of the Alumni Arena. Parking is not permitted in Coventry Loop.
- Elevators - Elevators are located at both the Webster and Coventry ends of the building.
- Wheelchairs – A limited number of wheelchairs will be available at the Guest Services desk inside the Coventry doors of Alumni Arena, to transport guests from Coventry Loop to the designated seating areas at top of 100-level and between the 200 and 300 seating levels. These wheelchairs cannot be used by guests to sit in during the ceremony. We strongly encourage guests who need wheelchairs to supply their own. This is especially crucial in case of an emergency evacuation.
- Tickets - There is no specific ticket for disabled seating. Each guest will need a standard guest ticket (if you are attending a ticketed ceremony) in order to enter the ceremony venue at the Alumni Arena.
- Special Seating Areas – It is important to have guests with handicapping conditions check in at our Guest Services desk inside the Coventry doors of Alumni Arena so that our usher staff can assist with getting them properly seated. Three areas of the arena seating have been established for handicapped seating. Please note that handicapped guests may only bring ONE companion to sit with them (IF ceremony is ticketed, then the handicapped individual and their companion must each have a ceremony ticket); this limit is to ensure that we maintain ample seating for others in need. The three special seating areas are designated for:
- Hearing impaired – Open captioning will be available, with special access seating.
- Those who are walking / stair-climbing challenged and may be in danger of experiencing ambulatory distress – designated seating is reserved at the top of the 100-level and between the 200 and 300 levels (with the exception of School of Nursing ceremony for which there will be some seating on the floor-level as well as a portion of the last row in the 100-level).
- Wheelchair bound – Special floor seating is reserved for those in wheelchairs.
CENTER FOR THE ARTS
If I am the GUEST OF a graduate and I have a disability, what accommodations will be available?
- Handicap Parking Lots may be accessed by those with official handicap parking hangtags. The University at Buffalo does not issue these.
- For guests who are unable to walk from the parking lot, please pull up on Coventry Loop to drop them off in front of the Center for the Arts. Parking is not permitted in Coventry Loop.
- Elevators - The Center for the Arts is equipped with elevators inside the Mainstage Theater allowing for access to seats in the lower orchestra and wheelchair row by persons with disabilities. Please be aware that the balcony of the Mainstage Theater is not serviced by an elevator, patrons seated in the balcony must be able to take the stairs to get to their seats.
- Wheelchairs – A limited number of wheelchairs will be available for sign-out at the Guest Services Desk inside the Center for the Arts lobby (Coventry entrance), to transport guests from Coventry loop to seating. These wheelchairs cannot be used by guests to sit in during the ceremony. The demand for wheelchairs tends to be quite high and we cannot guarantee that a wheelchair will be available to you when you arrive. We strongly encourage guests who need wheelchairs to supply their own and arrive early. Bringing your own wheelchair with you if you require one is especially crucial in case of an emergency evacuation.
- Tickets - There is no specific ticket or reservation required for disabled seating. Each guest will need a standard ticket (if attending a ticketed ceremony) to enter the ceremony venue.
- Accessing Seating and Services for persons with disabilities:
Please check in at the Guest Services Desk in the Center for the Arts Lobby. Patrons are then directed to the Mainstage Theater; please look for the persons with disabilities entrance, indicated by a sign in front of the theater. Please check in with the usher in this location who will make arrangements to seat you in the appropriate area. Please note that handicapped guests may only bring one companion to sit with them (IF ceremony is ticketed, then the handicapped individual and their guest will each need a ceremony ticket); this limit is to ensure that we maintain ample seating for others in need. - Hearing Impaired Guests
Assistive Listening DevicesThe Center for the Arts is equipped with infrared assistive listening devices that augment the sound in the theater for those that have difficulty hearing. Assistive Listening Devices are available for check out at the Guest Services Desk in the Center for the Arts lobby.
Sign Language InterpreterIf you require a sign language interpreter please notify the school whose ceremony you will be attending so arrangements can be made for an interpreter to be present. In the event that an interpreter is required special seating arrangements will be made ensuring good visual access of the interpreter.
SLEE HALL
If I am the GUEST OF a graduate and I have a disability, what accommodations will be available?
- Handicap Parking Lots may be accessed by those with official handicap parking hangtags. The University at Buffalo does not issue these.
- For guests who are unable to walk from the parking lot, please pull up on Coventry Loop to drop them off in front of Slee Concert Hall. Parking is not permitted in Coventry Loop.
- Elevator - An elevator is located in the building. Please ask an usher to direct you.
- Wheelchairs – Wheelchairs are not available at Slee Hall. We strongly encourage those who need a wheelchair to please bring one with them.
- Tickets – There is no specific ticket for disabled seating. Each guest will need a standard guest ticket (if you are attending a ticketed ceremony) in order to enter the ceremony venue at Slee Hall. Once you are inside the concert hall, please express your special seating needs to an usher. (ALANA ceremony – please visit the Guest Services Desk in Slee Lobby).
- Special Seating Areas –
The two seating areas for guests with wheelchairs are as follows. Please note that the individual in a wheelchair may bring ONE companion to sit with them (IF ceremony is ticketed, then the handicapped individual and their companion must each have a ceremony ticket); this is to ensure that we maintain ample seating for others in need. Please ask an usher or volunteer escort to direct you. For the ALANA ceremony, please check in at the guest services desk.
- Along the center cross aisle divide
- Between pillars on the side walkways of the hall
