Kohl Center Accessibility
Parking and drop-off
Complimentary parking is available in almost all campus parking lots to guests during Commencement weekend. View the parking and shuttle map for details.
Accessible parking options
Accessible parking at the Kohl Center is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that disabled plates and/or hang-tags are required to secure space in lots reserved for accessible Commencement parking.
The best lots with ADA stalls are Lot 48 and Lot 87. These lots will be staffed by Transportation Services. Guests will not need a special permit, just the standard disabled plates or hang-tag.
Drop-off locations
The drop-off location for the Kohl Center is on Dayton Street directly in front of the building at Gate A. Guest services personnel will have wheelchairs available for transportation from the Dayton Street drop-off location to the Kohl Center seating area. Wheelchairs are for transportation purposes only and cannot be used for patron seating during the ceremony. Anyone in need of wheelchair services can call Guest Services at 608-263-5645 on the day of the ceremony.
Guest Services staff will be available at gates and accessible drop-off points to assist guests within the stadium.
Entrances and getting around
Street-level entry to the building is through Gate A off Dayton Street or Gate B between the Ticket Office and Bucky’s Locker Room.
Elevator access
Passenger elevators with priority for persons with disabilities are near Gates A and B.
Restrooms
The 28 public restrooms and six family restrooms are accessible and all contain diaper-changing stations. The restrooms have touchless faucets and flush valves. The family restrooms have floor-mounted urinals and are are located by Sections 105, 111, 119, 125, 201, 215 and 228.
Concessions
All concession stands are accessible; most also have a lower counter section. Public drinking fountains in concourse areas are the hi-low accessible style and are located in Sections 104 and 126.
Graduate accommodations
Graduate access to the ceremony is via the Grand Staircase. Graduates in need of elevator access to the candidate seating area or other accommodations should notify Commencement staff at accessibility@chancellor.wisc.edu prior to the date of the ceremony to ensure a comfortable and celebratory experience.
Accommodations can include elevator access to floor seating, removal of chairs, extra chairs, repositioning of chairs, and accommodations for service animals, ASL, or assistive listening devices. Commencement staff can also discuss arrival and departure plans with prior to the event.
As it can be very difficult to meet needs on the day of the ceremony, please contact us prior to the event at accessibility@chancellor.wisc.edu so we can best assist you.
Seating accommodations
If guests are in need of accessible seating or assistance, we recommend arriving early as the seating will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible seating is limited to only those guests who require it. The seats will be for the person with accessible needs and for one companion. No pre-ticketing will occur for accessible seating.
Wheelchair seating locations
Wheelchair escorts to and from seats and gates are available through Guest Services, located in the Kohl Concourse near Section 119. Wheelchair and wheelchair companion locations are located throughout the main level concourse (Kohl Concourse or 100 level), and the upper level (Kellner Concourse or 200 level). Due to the high demand during this event, wheelchairs will be provided only for transport purposes.
Hearing accommodations
Headsets
The seating area is served by assistive listening devices (ALD) on an FM system. Individuals may pick up headsets at the Guest Services Office near Section 119 and must leave some form of collateral, such as a driver’s license while using the ALD.
Captioning
Captioning will be available throughout the ceremony and an American Sign Language Interpreter will be located near section 121. Those in need of the interpreter should contact us so that we can set aside seats in that section.
Service Animals
Animals are not permitted at the Kohl Center, except for service animals or service animals in training that may accompany individuals with disabilities.
Service animals are welcome at the Kohl Center provided they are accompanied by the handler, trained to provide a service to the handler, leashed at all times unless this interferes with the animals work, and under control and do not jeopardize safety.
Service animals needing a relief area may exist and reenter as needed at any gate.
Service Animals in Training
Service animals in training are welcome at the Kohl Center provided they are: 1) not jeopardizing the safety operation of the program, 2) the service animal in training must wear a harness OR leash and special cape, 3) remain under the control of the trainer at all times.
Service animals in training needing a relief area may exist and reenter as needed at any gate.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
Emotional support, comfort, or therapy animals do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and, therefore, are not permitted at the Kohl Center.
Sensory Bags
Sensory Bags provided by KultureCity will be located at the Kohl Center at the Guest Services Office near Section 119. Sensory bags will include: noise-canceling headphones, wacky track fidget, monkey tube fidget, marble fidget, visual cue card and feeling thermometer, and KultureCity VIP Lanyards.
In addition, noise canceling headphones separate from the sensory bag will be offered for individuals who want a reprieve from the noise but don’t want the entire bag.
Nursing Parents
Nursing & Breast Feeding Room Locations
Nursing room locations for guests can be found near Section 119. To access, please visit the Guest Services office near Section 119.
Nursing may be done in any of the family restrooms, which are located by Sections 105, 111, 119, 125, 201, 215 and 228. There are also changing stations in each of the family restrooms.
Request Accommodations
Graduates are able to request for their infant children to be with them in the graduate seating sections, and other accommodations such as access to a nursing & breast feeding room by filling out the form below.
Nursing & breast feeding room locations for graduates are created on an individual basis. Please fill out the form below and we will work with you to ensure an accessible nursing room location.
Emergency alerts
Two message boards, located at opposite sides of the bowl, will relay general information and messages that are broadcast over the Public Address system. In case of an emergency, strobe lights will help alert the deaf and those who are hard of hearing. Emergency messages will also be posted on the Kohl Center scoreboard.
Contact information
For general or accessibility questions, we’re here to help.