Disability Services - Accommodations
Disability Services - Accommodations
Congratulations, graduates! Commencement is a time to celebrate your accomplishments with the people who were alongside you on this journey. We recognize the dedication, sacrifice, and confidence you invested to reach this exciting moment. We are so proud and cannot wait to celebrate you.
We have provided information about accessibility and accommodations below, but we understand there are likely some questions we may not have answered. Please contact dsps@sac.edu if you have a question that is not listed below.
Parking is available in the structures at the addresses below. The ADA accessible stalls will be on the ground (first) level.
- P1 Stadium Parking - 1020 W Civic Center Dr, Santa Ana, CA 92703
- P2 Superblock Parking - 525 N. Flower Street Santa Ana, CA 92701
Details regarding parking fees, payment methods, parking structure hours, etc. are available on the Commencement Venue, Security, & Parking webpage.
Guests may enter the venue through either:
- Coach Dick Hill Way (across from P1 Stadium Parking Structure)
- Flower Street and 6th Street (near P2 Superblock)
Sign Language interpreters will be present and the ceremony will be live captioned. Large screens will be located at each end of the stage to display the interpreters and live captions.
Service animals are always welcome to join the fun in the stadium [in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)]. Service animals are trained to perform a task(s) directly related to a person's disability; animals that solely provide emotional support or companionship to a guest will not be permitted inside the stadium.
There will be an Accessibility/ADA Information Booth inside the stadium near each entrance and event volunteers will be available before the ceremony to answer any questions.
Wheelchairs and other mobility devices/equipment will not be provided by Santa Ana College. Individuals experiencing impacted mobility are encouraged to consider bringing a personal device should one be needed. Guests in need of mobility, wheelchair, or visual assistance are to have a peer, friend, or family member assist them. Santa Ana College will not have this type of assistance available for guests.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow opportunity for full participation and engagement. For inquiries about accessibility, or to request accommodations please contact the Disabled Students Program & Services (DSPS) office at (714) 564-6295, video phone at (657) 235-2999, or email dsps@sac.edu by Friday, May 22nd.
Information For Graduates
Graduates experiencing impacted mobility may use the ADA Graduate Drop-Off area and ADA Graduate Entrance along 6th St., just before Coach Dick Hill Way. Drivers may then enter the parking structure off Boyd Way. Vehicles will need to show their ADA parking placard or on their license plate to the staff at the 6th Street and Flowers Street intersection barricade.
Plan to arrive at Santa Ana Stadium between 3:00pm and 3:30pm for graduate check-in. Upon check-in, you will receive your Name Card for the ceremony. This will be used to call your name on stage at the ceremony, so please do not lose it.
After checking in, graduates will wait in the staging area. An ADA waiting area will be available for students with disabilities or pregnancy-related need.
The processional route begins at the graduate staging area and travels through a paved, downhill sloped pathway onto the field. Graduates are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes. Shoes with sharp and/or pointy heels will not be permitted.
For those experiencing impacted mobility (temporary or permanent), please contact DSPS if you have any questions or would like to discuss potential disability-related accommodations for the procession.
Accessible seating will be available on the field; commencement volunteers will be available to support any graduates experiencing impacts on mobility.
An accessible portable restroom for graduates will be located on field-level near the locker rooms.
Sign Language interpreters will be present and the ceremony will be live captioned. Large screens will be located at each end of the stage to display the interpreters and live captions.
Please contact the DSPS Office by email dsps@sac.edu or video phone at (657) 235-2999 to discuss seating and ensuring the interpreter will be visible during the ceremony.
On-Field Protocols
Outside food and drinks (other than bottled water) are prohibited. Exceptions may include items necessary for medical- or disability-related needs.
Service animals specifically trained to assist a graduate with a disability will be permitted on the field during the ceremony.
*Please contact the DSPS office at (714) 564-6295, video phone at (657) 235-2999, or email dsps@sac.edu to discuss any disability-related considerations related to the items above.*
Presentation of Class (Calling of Names) & Crossing Stage
The Presentation of Class (calling of names) entails the reading of graduate names and processing onto the stage. Students seated on the right (facing the stage) will exit the aisle to the right, and proceed toward the stage. Students on the left (facing the stage) will exit the aisle to the left, and proceed toward the stage.
The stage will be accessed via ramps located on both the right and left sides. Graduates will exit via a ramp down the center of the stage.
Graduate Accommodation Requests
For inquiries about accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact the DSPS office at (714) 564-6295, video phone at (657) 235-2999, or email dsps@sac.edu by Friday, May 22nd.
Information for Guests
Santa Ana College is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming commencement experience for our students and guests. Our ceremony is designed with accessibility in mind and efforts have been made to best support guests’ access at the venue. Accessible wheelchair and stair-free seating is available on both sides of the stadium and located in the first row of sections with blue seating.
Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. We kindly ask guests to preserve accessible seating spaces for guests needing stair-free access. One person may join the guest in the accessible seats; other members of the group may be seated behind or as close as available seating permits.
While every effort will be made to accommodate accessibility needs, early arrival is strongly recommended.
If using the Coach Dick Hill Way entrance:
- The first row of sections with blue bleachers is designated ADA accessible seating
- Entering the stands through Tunnels 2 - 5 will lead directly to sections with blue bleachers and accessible seating
- The designated wheelchair area is by the railing between tunnels 2 and 3
If using the 6th and Flower entrance:
- Once inside the venue, 10 through 12 to enter the stands, accessible seating will be available in the first row of these sections
- Designated wheelchair seating areas are located near tunnel 11
For inquiries about accessibility, or to request an accommodation for yourself or a guest, please contact the Disabled Students Program & Services (DSPS) office at (714) 564-6295, video phone at (657) 235-2999, or email DSPS@sac.edu.
Accessible restrooms are by the grandstands on the west side of the stadium (side of the main entrance).
Wheelchairs and other mobility devices/equipment will not be provided by Santa Ana College. Individuals experiencing impacted mobility are encouraged to consider bringing a personal device should one be needed.
On the day of commencement, guests inside the stadium can visit the Accessibility/Disability Information Booth for accommodation information or any accessibility-related questions.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow opportunity for full participation and engagement. For inquiries about accessibility, or to request an accommodation for yourself or a guest, please contact the Disabled Students Program & Services (DSPS) office at (714) 564-6295, video phone at (657) 235-2999, or email DSPS@sac.edu by Friday, May 22nd.
Assisted listening devices will not be provided. To support communication access, ASL interpreting and real-time captioning will be available during the ceremony.
We hope for all guests to enjoy the event comfortably. Given the number of graduates we will be celebrating, we anticipate large crowds and loud noises. We recognize everyone experiences crowds, noises, and environments differently, so here are several ideas that may support guests before and during the commencement ceremony: