Accessibility Information for In-Person Ceremonies

The University of Tennessee is committed to providing access to persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. The commencement staff collaborates with campus partners to provide accommodations to guests, faculty, and students with disabilities.

If you are a graduating student with a disability and require accommodation for the commencement ceremony, please make a request on the RSVP form you should receive once you apply to graduate. Graduates who are wheelchair users or have mobility concerns should indicate their needs on the form and be as specific as possible.

All students will be seated in a reserved section on the arena floor and will cross a platform via a ramp to shake hands with or greet the dean; there are no steps to navigate.

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Accessible Parking and Elevator Access

Refer to the Parking and Transportation Commencement webpage for up-to-date parking information.

Free parking is available to all graduates and their guests in student parking areas marked NC (residential students) and CC (commuter students). Graduates and guests with disabilities who wish to park near the arena would be best accommodated in the following area:

The Neyland Parking Garage (G10 – enter off Neyland Dr across from the boathouse) is reserving the top floor for accessible and mobility limited guests and is adjacent to the arena. Guests requiring the use of a mobility device or those with mobility concerns may best access the arena via a bridge on the top level of the garage. Graduates with limited mobility will take the elevator to the first floor and proceed to the arena entrance near G10 marked with balloons.

For the 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. ceremonies, free round-trip shuttles will be provided from Garage B at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

Additional ADA spaces will be available on the Ag campus near Jacob Drive and the UT Gardens. An accessible shuttle will transport guests to and from the Ag campus.

Transportation services, such as UBER/LYFT rides, may only drop-off and pick-up at Circle Park off Volunteer Boulevard.

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Accessible Seating for Wheelchair Users

Graduates: Please note if you require the use of a wheelchair, they are not provided by the arena or university. Please be as specific as possible when noting this on your RSVP.

Guests: Areas will be designated on the concourse level (third floor) for guests requiring wheelchairs. One companion seat is allotted per guest in these designated areas. Tickets are not required for guests, and seating is first-come, first-served. Please note that guests are not allowed on the arena floor. Please note the university does not keep wheelchairs on hand.

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Persons with Mobility Concerns

Graduates: Please note on the RSVP link if you have mobility concerns. Please be as specific as possible when noting this on your RSVP.

Guests: Guests will mostly be seated in the lower bowl of the arena. The upper bowl will open as an overflow if needed.

All seating is first come, first-served in the arena. We recommend that guests with mobility concerns arrive early (doors open 2 hours before each ceremony) to find seating, as the arena will fill up.

From the concourse level, guests will need to walk down a minimum of one step to enter the seating area. Although tickets are not required for guests, we ask that the top few rows of each section remain free for those with mobility concerns. Please note that guests are not allowed on the arena floor at any time.

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Service Animals

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville welcomes guests and their service animals to our campus, including at commencement ceremonies. Service dogs must be trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability and must always remain under control of their handler. Emotional support animals are not permitted in accordance with University policy FI00002.

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Restrooms

Family restrooms are available near sections 114 and 127 in Food City Center near the medical stations. There are also lactation areas outside each family restroom. The key for these stations can be obtained from the medical attendants at the adjacent station.

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Interpreter Services & Real-Time Captioning

A sign language interpreter (using American Sign Language) will be projected onto the large screens provided during commencement.

Real-time captioning will be available on the large screen during each commencement ceremony as well as the webcast.

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FM Systems

Assistive listening devices are available upon request from the Arena Management Office. A Photo ID is required for use of the assistive listening device. The ID will be exchanged back for the device upon return. Arena Management can be reached at 865-974-0953, and the devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Accessible Formats of Commencement Program

Commencement programs will be available on the concourse level of Food City Center. A limited number of large print programs (font size 18) will be available at each ceremony on a first come, first served basis. Requests for braille copies must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony by email to [email protected]. Once complete, they will be available at the ceremony on the concourse level. Please consult with commencement staff.

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Medical Bag Check

Medical Bag Check for all events is located at the Gate D entrance on the east end of the building. Diaper bags are not considered medical bags. All contents must be carried in a clear bag.