Accessibility Missteps, Fanfest 2026

[Rinlun]

This is unacceptable and they can do better. They were given a list of complaints after NA Fanfest '23 and because of that know what needs to be addressed. Accessibility consultants exist. There's no excuse for providing an unsafe and sub-par experience for our ADA-needing members of the community.

As a (mostly) able-bodied individual, my experience at NA Fanfest '23 was pretty miserable. Between heat exhaustion due to waiting outside in 110+ F weather in direct sunlight, lack of easy access to fresh water (one fountain not marked, huge line, safety requirements staying you could bring in *empty* water bottles otherwise you buy it), lack of seating/resting spaces (witnessed able-bodied individuals taking ADA-ressrvwd seats for the primals concert. Come on y'all, be better...), no enforcement of line structure for activities, and lax safety enforcement, I can't imagine how much moreso it was for those requiring accommodations.

And as was stated, accessibility improvements are a boon for all.

I want people to have a better experience for NA FanFest '26 than I did for '23.

[Dagny]

I want to back this up because I had my own accessibility issues at Fanfest 2023, and the concerns raised here are absolutely valid. At the last Fanfest, my medical needs changed the day before the keynote and I suddenly required a wheelchair. If the 2026 system was in place (where accommodations appear to require some sort of phone call and pre-approval), I would have been completely blocked getting the help I needed. Accessibility needs can change overnight, and a phone based system simply doesn't account for that. Phone calls also aren't accessible for deaf or hard of hearing attendees, or people with speech disabilities, or anyone without someone can call on their behalf. This alone makes the current method unworkable for many.

It's also unrealistic and unfair to expect this one staff member from the contracted company to manage hundreds of ADA requests. Planning for only ~100 ADA requests out of thousands of attendees is nowhere near enough, especially when she's allegedly admitted on call she has about 700 people to still work through. This isn't her fault, but the system she's been given will inevitably fail disabled attendees and overwhelm the staff member responsible for them unless this is properly addressed and adjusted.

I won't be attending Fanfest this year (I simply don't feel safe) but I am really hoping SE can address this and get it on the right track so that everyone that attends can feel safe and properly accommodated for.

[AoifeAsturmaux]

(mostly) able bodied and not going to fanfest myself, but commenting to help boost! heard nothing but bad things about '23 fanfest and was disappointed to see folks' very legitimate concerns seem to have been ignored for the upcoming one. expecting a single person to call thousands of people to "verify" their disability is frankly embarrassing.

really hoping square takes a minute to listen this time and does something about it. fanfest should be a welcoming space for *everyone* who plays, not just abled fans!!

[Nyoko_Miyajima]

I'm disabled, though my disability is mostly invisible. I have an autoimmune and a vestibular disorder, as well as some audio processing - whether or not I need accommodations might as well be on the whim of some fickle faerie. I might never need to use my cane. I might wake up in the morning and be fine until 1:17pm when my body decides that standing on two feet is silly. I might need help opening doors in the morning, or I might be able to run across the convention center in full cosplay and 5" heels for three days straight.

My accommodations amount to "Maybe a cane, sometimes, dunno when. Maybe an escort, sometimes. Maybe noise reduction earplugs during certain events, couldn't tell you which." I wouldn't have even considered checking a box saying I need accommodations, because mine are so basic that every public space in the country can accommodate them.

...Except, apparently, I would have needed to do so for this event? Am I understanding that correctly? They would need to approve my cane for me to use it? What the actual...

That's insanity.

Even more insane that I would have to explain that to some poor overworked lady who couldn't pick me out as disabled from a lineup 8 out of 10 days.

Like others, I've heard about the accessibility disaster that was Fanfest 2023/24. That disaster was enough for me to completely not even bother to try and buy tickets this time. I wanted to see how things went this time, see how they improved things with feedback, see if I would feel safe for Fanfest 2028 or whatever.

I'm probably not ever going to feel safe at a Fanfest, at this rate.

[kentauris]

It's really upsetting to learn that Square Enix is comfortable either a) forcing people to jump through potentially illegal and largely ineffective hoops, or else b) injure themselves. It's not just upsetting, it's shocking. Who okayed this, and who is *still* okaying this? People are going to get hurt - again, apparently. It is not acceptable to be a professional company at this scale in this line of work and make that kind of mistake once. To make that kind of mistake twice is unbelievable to the point where I can only assume it's willful.

They need to redress this, immediately. Frankly, they need to make a public apology as well, in my opinion.

[ramyeonguksu]

I'm a Fanfest attendee who doesn't need these accommodations but I'm boosting this thread so my fellow disabled XIV enjoyers can properly enjoy Fanfest as well! Please fix your approach for this!!

[thepurpletigress]

I was very excited to try and get tickets for FanFest this year, however I ended up passing up on the opportunity after remembering how 2023 NA Fanfest went, and my anxiety over the fact that I would likely not be able to be accommodated for pushed me to reconsider applying for tickets. This is appalling to hear that this is how SE has chosen to address the need for ADA accommodations, when I've literally never heard of this happening at any other convention I've gone to in my life.

[athdaraxen]

I don't have much to say that hasn't already! I hope they listen so everyone can have a safe and happy Fanfest! A company this large should be able to properly handle this so it is quite sad to see so many of my mutuals online worried for their safety and health. Based on everyone sharing their experiences there are so many basic things that simply aren't being taken into account.

[Pyshiro]

As a semi-able bodied person who attended NA Fanfest 2023, can confirm it was the absolute WORST convention I'd ever attended in terms of organization but especially accessibility. People were left to roast in the hot sun on day 1. Water accessibility was limited. The lighting was terrible and not enough seating to the point of the majority of attendees having to sit on concrete flooring if you didn't body warm a chair all day. There was a MOB during one of the main presentations where the "line" for merch just stampeded into the other room over one another (I was seated near and was horrified). Not to mention the concert fiasco when they removed disabled seating and made them move or get crushed.

I saw so many complaints last fanfest. So many people attempting to raise their voices. SE never said a word or so much as a hint that they were listening. It made me never want to attend again for fear of wasting thousands on a big trip where us, the playerbase, end up attending a circus. I was so jealous to see EU and JP have an incredibly better experience in comparison.

They absolutely need to do better here. I already refuse to go to the upcoming fanfest because of that miserable experience. They've also raised the price, what got better during that time to warrant such? I'm curious to know and if the extra is being put into the things that matter most here (accessibility and SEATING??)

[NaiaLalita]

Putting my support here as well. Fan Fest is a luxury pipe dream, but even if I could ever afford to go, I have a handful of "invisible" disabilities and conditions, and adding all that extra work on people to itemize and predict their specific needs is cruel and absurd. Establish practical, common-sense policies, follow ADA laws, and stick to them. The cost of attending Fan Fest should absolutely cover accessibility to any and all who would benefit.