Commencement Accessibility
On this page
- Getting to the Event Center
- Service animals
- Seating
- Additional accommodations: mobility, medical, interpretive services, sensory needs
- Parking
Getting to the Event Center
The Provident Credit Union Event Center is an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible building located in the center of campus. Accessible parking spaces are located in all campus parking garages, but the Commencement team encourages people with disabilities needing close proximity to the Event Center to park at the South Garage located at Seventh and San Salvador Streets.
Accessing the Event Center from across campus and from garages or public transit is also fully step-free and accessible. Students and guests with ADA accessibility needs will enter through the designated ground floor entrance of the venue along the Seventh Street plaza.
Service Animals
Trained and licensed service animals are allowed after proper check-in at the help desk. SJSU Commencement staff and security personnel are permitted to ask questions regarding the nature of a service animal's function and its service to your disability, but you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability. San José State University welcomes all attendees in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Seating
Guest ADA-accessible seating will be available for the person with accessibility needs and one companion, only. All seating inside of the venue is on a first-come-first-served basis. No reservations are required for any seat.
Additional Accommodations
Before entering the Event Center, any and all graduates or guests needing accessibility accommodations should enter the Event Center on the ground floor and visit the help desk to request assistance. Guests with mobility considerations including but not limited to senior citizens, people with temporary or chronic disabilities, pregnant or expectant mothers, guests with sensory needs or any person needing accessibility accommodations of any kind are invited to speak with help desk staff to:
- Review trained service animals.
- Review brought food and medications necessary for any medical conditions, including
nutrition and supplies for nursing parents.
- Staff and security will not ask the nature of your condition and you are not required to disclose, but will review food and beverages for security purposes.
- Coordinate assistive services and devices like space for mobility devices, sign language interpretation, language translation, mobility for those with sight-based disabilities.
- Coordinate assistive services related to sensory needs.
First-Aid
First aid and medical assistance will be available for all attendees during all Commencement ceremonies on the ground floor of the Provident Credit Union Event Center, through the entry doors, to the right immediately after the graduate security checkpoint lines. Paramedics will be on-call for any and all emergencies. Guests with mobility considerations (age-related, disability-related, pregnancy-related, etc.) may enter at the same entrance as graduates or take the elevator down from the second floor and turn left past the credentials desk. All other guests who do not have mobility limitations shall use the main guest entrance, up the stairs, into the Event Center.
Accessible Event Parking and Permits
All attendees who need to drive to campus and park in an accessible parking space for Commencement are encouraged to park at the South Garage located at Seventh and San Salvador Streets. Note that vehicular traffic congestion may make access to the South Garage difficult.
Accessible parking spaces are also located at the North Garage at Tenth and San Fernando Streets, but are farther from the Event Center.
To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience on your graduate’s big day, we strongly encourage all guests to purchase parking permits in advance through our Parking Services Portal (Link to Purchase Prepay Permits).
Event Center is located south of the North Parking Garage and northeast of the West and South Parking Garages, across from the Student Wellness Center.
For questions, please contact Parking Services at parking@sjsu.edu.
