Tech Enabled, Wildcat Proud

Commencement at the University of Arizona is a powerful celebration of achievement and behind the scenes, it’s also a testament to how innovative technology and partnership help ensure every Wildcat can be a part of the moment. 

With the support of the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and a deeply collaborative planning process, the ceremony is designed to ensure that students, families, and guests, can fully participate in the moment, which is for many, once in a lifetime. 

From the placement of ASL interpreters on the stadium’s massive Jumbotron to real-time captioning across multiple screens, access through technology plays a central role. “We’ve made changes like enlarging the ASL interpreter on the screen so guests can access it from anywhere,” said Dawn Hunziker, Associate Director of Disability Resources. “It worked so well last year that we no longer need a designated ASL seating section—it’s universally visible.”

Behind the scenes, accessibility tech also includes Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) captioners stationed at every school convocation in McKale and Centennial Hall, captioning for all pre-recorded videos, and digital RSVP systems that let students and guests easily request accommodations. A new sensory-sensitive space, complete with livestreaming and ambient noise control, offers a calm, tech-enhanced alternative for those needing a quieter environment.

“The university sees accessibility as a shared responsibility,” Hunziker explained. “DRC helps facilitate, but it’s a team effort across campus to make sure every detail—from mobility support to audiovisual access—is in place.”

With a world-renowned adventurer and visually impaired keynote speaker, Erik Weihenmayer, headlining this year’s ceremony, and enhancements like golf cart transportation under discussion, the commitment to inclusion continues to grow—powered by technology and the Wildcat way.