Is FanFest Not Accessible to People with Disabilities?

[DynnDiablos]

I think the problem I've seen is that folks really want to demand accommodations beyond what is even reasonable for these types of significant events. Basic accessibility is one thing, but catering to everyone's tiniest quirks is another. No, the event doesn't need to provide you with a "safe space" quiet room because you're overly stimulated. This is a massive event; if you can't handle crowds for an extended period, stay home. Damn.

[Astronis]

I think the problem I've seen is that folks really want to demand accommodations beyond what is even reasonable for these types of significant events. Basic accessibility is one thing, but catering to everyone's tiniest quirks is another. No, the event doesn't need to provide you with a "safe space" quiet room because you're overly stimulated. This is a massive event; if you can't handle crowds for an extended period, stay home. Damn.

A quiet room out of the way is something I can damn near guarantee the Anaheim Convention Center will have available. Not necessarily some dedicated "safe space" room, but a smaller, unused conference room or medical room of some sort for use of people who might faint or have a panic attack and need to be taken somewhere to be looked over and recover. Though that depends on if SE has staff for it...but it'd honestly be kind of insane if they didn't have any kind of medical staff on hand.

That's not something I mentioned as needing, though it might be of use to me; I absolutely expect that going to this Fanfest is going to cause me a fair bit of stress and that my dystonia is going to act up and maybe come out in full force. That's why I am bringing my wheelchair and medication in case I need it to calm down some movements that look a fair bit like seizures. I didn't mention the quiet room though mostly because I know ways to handle this on my own (and a friend will be with me to run interference) and if necessary I'll just go outside for awhile...didn't occur to me it might be better for everyone else if I went somewhere out of the way so they wouldn't freak the hell out about what I've been dealing with for over 25 years!

[KihyiFelhede]

Bumping this again as I've seen socmed discussion about lack of communication. A combination of venue incompetence and squenix dropping the ball in the past already has people feeling pessimistic and open communication about what steps will be taken would be much appreciated.

A quiet room out of the way is something I can damn near guarantee the Anaheim Convention Center will have available. Not necessarily some dedicated "safe space" room, but a smaller, unused conference room or medical room of some sort for use of people who might faint or have a panic attack and need to be taken somewhere to be looked over and recover.1

I've never personally been but from what I hear the center has in fact done this for events there before. For a "nerd convention" (lol) as divisionten put it in the thread a space like this is especially important. Cosplay gone wrong, dehydration or food poisoning, a medical issue that isn't fully an emergency, these sorts of things happen a lot more at high energy events regardless of disability so having somewhere for recovery is just good safety practice. I personally would like to hear from fanfest or the convention center itself about this in particular if we get any sort of outreach.

I'd recommend folks read over the other thread as well as there are many knowledgeable people giving their input.

[NanaWiloh]

Happy too see disabled people who think and look for accommodations. I work for my local airport, I routinely see the elderly and disabled being careless or in a hurry. One of the concourses can only be reached by escalator,stairs or elevator. Despite signs indicating the elevators location and who knows how many employees present. Elderly and disabled take the escalator. At the start of the year some guy in a wheel chair went down the escalator!!! He fell backwards landed on the escalator while his wheel raced down it. He was not hurt thankfully, but signs are posted saying use the elevator!! Please be safe if your disabled