Accessibility Information: School of Information 2025 Commencement
Public Transportation
- AC Transit line 52 stops a half-block from the Hearst Greek Theatre.
- Free Bear Transit campus shuttles connect Downtown Berkeley BART to the Hearst Greek Theatre. All shuttles have lift-equipped capabilities.
Drop-off Location
For guests, the curbside passenger drop-off location is at the north entrance to the Hearst Greek Theatre, on Gayley Rd and University Avenue, in front of the Greek Theatre Ticket Office. (Graduates will be using a different entrance; graduates should contact Megan O’Connor for more accessibility information.)
Accessible Parking
The closest public parking lot to the Hearst Greek Theatre is the privately operated Stadium Garage (underneath the Maxwell Family Field), 0.2 miles from the venue, slightly uphill. Note that the Greek Theatre gate closest to Stadium Parking (south gate) is not available to guests.
Blue accessible parking spaces may be found in two university-owned lots:
Graduating students and their guests may use the free Bear Transit campus shuttles to travel from the Hearst lots to the Greek Theatre.
Foothill Lot is also nearby, but the path from the Foothill Lot to the Greek Theatre includes stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
Blue disabled parking (DP) spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking cannot be reserved in advance. In order to park in a blue space, guests must have a state-issued blue disability placard or license plate in addition to paying the parking fee.
At the Greek Theatre
Entrance
The guest entrance to the Greek Theatre is on the north side of the amphitheater. The entrance is accessible via a series of cut-back ramps starting at street level from Gayley Rd.
Accessible seating
All tickets are general admission, meaning that guests will be able to seat themselves on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors will be opened 15 minutes early (5:45 pm Pacific) for guests with accessibility needs, and staff will be able to assist guests and their parties to accessible seating.
The Greek Theatre has wheelchair and scooter-accessible locations where guests can remain in their wheelchairs. Due to limited ADA seating, guests seated in the accessible ADA area may have a maximum of one additional guest sit next to them. The Greek Theatre house staff will make every effort to seat additional family and friends close by.
Please reach out to Megan O’Connor at moconnor@ischool.berkeley.edu if you have any questions about seating accessibility.
Restrooms
The accessible restroom is located on the north side of the venue, slightly behind the stage.
Live Captions and Translation
Live closed captions will be provided for this event by a real-time captioner. You can access the live captions your own phone or device; the link will be provided at the ceremony.
Font size, style, color, and background color can be customized using the options at the top of the browser window. Once the event begins, the captions will appear within the window. To view a transcript after the event, please keep the window open and click on “Transcript” at the top of the screen.
The captioning system will also include automated AI translation into Spanish or Mandarin, available at the same URL.
Access Live Captions and Translation
Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. Devices are distributed free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Megan O’Connor with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7–10 days in advance of the event to reserve an assistive listening device.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are always allowed on campus grounds and in campus buildings. More information on university policy regarding service animals.
If you require an additional accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting, CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or additional information about mobility access in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Megan O’Connor with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7–10 days in advance of the event.
UC Berkeley Campus Accessibility Information
Overview of public transportation and accessibility on the Berkeley campus
Bear Transit: UC Berkeley’s shuttle system, serving the campus and vicinity. All shuttles have lift-equipped capabilities.
Map of preferred wheelchair routes and accessible building entrances on the UC Berkeley campus.