Accessibility and support at graduation

Accessibility requirements

At the time of registering, please let us know if you or your guests have any accessibility requirements of which we should be aware. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Mobility issues
• Neurodivergence and/or sensory processing issues
• Wheelchair or walking aid use
• Visual or auditory impairment
• A guide or assistance dog
• Pregnancy
• Temporary disability (e.g. a broken leg)

You can let us know via the ‘accessibility requirements’ box on the registration form. If you have already registered and did not mention an accessibility requirement when doing so, you will need to contact us by email at grad-acd@salford.ac.uk.

We may contact you prior to the day to discuss arrangements with you and ensure your Graduation day runs as smoothly as possible for you and your guests.

Graduate Accessibility Requirements

We are committed to making graduation ceremonies accessible for all. If you are receiving accessibility support, your day might look a little different in parts to that of your peers. We want to tailor your Graduation experience so that you feel fully supported and comfortable when you cross that stage. Here are some of the ways we can support you.

Remote check-in

On Graduation day, graduates need to check-in and then collect their tickets and gowns before taking their seats in the theatre. As this involves visiting multiple different buildings on campus, we offer graduates with accessibility requirements the opportunity for remote check-in. This means that, rather than going to check-in and collect your guest tickets and gown from their respective locations, you will report directly to the information desk in the Maxwell Hall foyer on the day. Everything you need will be waiting for you in one place, reducing the number of places you will need to visit.

Accessible seating row

During ceremonies, graduates are usually seated in alphabetical order with their cohort to ensure they cross the stage in the correct order. Some Graduates may find it easier to sit on our accessible row, slightly away from the rest of your cohort. If you are seated here, you will receive support from a dedicated member of staff, who you can liaise with throughout the ceremony. They will ensure you cross the stage at the correct time in the ceremony, so you can avoid the queues to the stage. They will also give you opportunities to step out of the theatre at any point if you feel overwhelmed and offer any other support or guidance you may need. We can also organise for BSL interpreters to sit with you if needed. 

Hiring a wheelchair gown

When hiring your gown from Graduation Attire you are required to input your height and head size and will be asked if you have any accessibility requirements. You can then select a wheelchair gown which are specially adapted with a shorter back length and narrower, tamed sleeves to prevent wheel interference. They ensure comfort, safety and a proper seated fit so you can focus on enjoying your day. 

Support crossing the stage 

During ceremonies, graduates are usually seated in alphabetical order with their cohort to ensure they cross the stage in the correct order. They are led out of the theatre row by row and required to wait in a line at the side of theatre for a few minutes until it is their turn to cross the stage.

However, we realise there are circumstances in which this may not be possible or appropriate. To make things easier in such cases, we have a special row dedicated to accessible seating. If you are seated in this row, you will sit slightly away from your cohort. You will be taken directly to the stage via an accessible route when it is your turn to graduate, and then led back to your seat. Please note that you will still cross the stage in sequence with your cohort even if you are not sitting among them. You can see the route you will take from the accessible row on the map below.

If you require accessible seating or remote check-in you can let us know via the ‘accessibility requirements’ box on the registration form. If you have already registered and did not mention an accessibility requirement when doing so, you will need to contact us by email at grad-acd@salford.ac.uk.

Guest accessibility requirements

In the ceremony, graduates and guests are seated separately. As graduates are seated in the stalls close to the stage, most guests are allocated balcony seats. There is no lift access to the balcony so, if your guests require ground floor seating, you can let us know via the ‘accessibility requirements’ box on the registration form. If you have already registered and did not mention an accessibility requirement when doing so, you will need to contact us by email at grad-acd@salford.ac.uk. All access requirements are to be provided to us by 30 October.