Accessibility Missteps, Fanfest 2026

[Turkborne]

As players, disabled or not, we shouldn't feel the need to bring up that last year there were not enough seats for the Keynote, so people were sitting on the concrete floor- both able bodied and not. That's just something that should be flat out fixed. Regardless of if you're disabled or not, sitting on a concrete floor will hurt. No one should be paying for these tickets for that experience and if the ADA processes are being handled this poorly, how poorly are the normal planning processes being handled?

[Turkborne]

This isn't something that'll be forgotten. Accessibility isn't optional. It benefits all- disabled or not.

Being able to bring in a water bottle helps all people, and the environment. Being able to bring in a snack helps keep food lines smooth and keeps workers from being overwhelmed.

Having curb cuts/cord covers keeps people from tripping, doesn't just benefit people with movement issues.

Accessibility is for all and it needs to be done correctly.

[Melodic]

I had my call with the consultant a little less than a week ago. I talked about baseline ADA expectations, further steps beyond it that impact me, additional accommodations and needs for my non-apparent conditions, and also went through some of the solutions used at convention events I help manage and others I've simply attended. She was ecstatic to note down those ideas and borrow from me for other shows she works more directly on than FanFest as well as attempting to get them implemented for FF.

If the company that sub-contracted her and Square Enix are actually prepared and willing to follow-through on everything we discussed, then it should be a good experience. However, she was pretty clear that the discussion was not a guarantee of accommodations (because the actual enacting and enforcing of them is really up to SE and the group they contracted for event setup), so I am very nervous that this will once again be an exercise where one person is required to do a ton of work and then the decision-makers ignore all their findings.

[Dagny]

SE has posted their EU Fanfest page, and their FAQ section about accessibility is a lot more detailed than NA's. This doesn't guarantee that EU will be absent of issues but they do appear to be taking it more seriously.

Here's EU's section on accessibility:

Square Enix strives to support the disabled community and make the event inclusive and accessible. New information will be added to this section as we get closer to the event, so please check back for updates.

Carer Tickets

During the ticket purchase process, users will be able to indicate their need for one additional carer ticket and receive instructions on how to obtain it at a discounted rate. This is subject to checks and availability. Accessible tickets are reserved for attendees with disabilities and their carers. Misuse of this policy may result in ticket cancellation. Proof of eligibility may be requested by e-mail and upon your entry to the event.

Access to the Venue

A dedicated entrance for attendees with disabilities will be available. We will share more information closer to the event.

Seating and Designated Space for Wheelchair Users and Attendees with Mobility Issues

A specially marked seating area in front of the stage will be available for our attendees with disabilities. This includes areas with room for those with mobility issues, wheelchairs, and chairs next to them for a +1.

Medicine or Other Medical Necessities

You may bring medical necessities, such as canes, walkers, or other types of medical necessities or equipment to the event. Attendees must not possess, sell, or distribute any illegal drugs or other illegal substances.

Service Dogs

You may bring trained service dogs to the event. They must be kept leashed and with you unless it interferes with their work. Please note that the event will be loud. Furthermore, please ensure they wear designated gear that clearly identifies them as a service dog.

And NA's:

During the ticket purchase process, users will be able to indicate their need for ADA or similar accommodations by entering in their email address. Following the conclusion of ticket sales, our support partner will email each requestor to set up a call to discuss their needs so that we can best plan to accommodate their attendance.*

The show floor and other locations will have clearly marked areas for ADA access, such as ticket redemption, show floor activities, and permanently placed seating in the main hall. We will also have unique identifiers for these guests to ensure that they can access these resources.

* UPDATED: Flow details updated on November 6, 2025.

I'm glad that EU attendees are seemingly getting clearer information than we are on the NA side, but seeing the contrast is really disappointing. The still in place requirement to talk to this one person coordinating accommodations on the NA side, getting approval, and waiting for individualized confirmation is still putting far too much labor on disabled fans in NA who are just trying to plan their trip like everyone else.

I hope Square Enix can update the NA FAQ at least and make some revisions to their internal processes. There's still time to make this more transparent and accessible, but it's running out fast.

[Astronis]

SE has posted their EU Fanfest page, and their FAQ section about accessibility is a lot more detailed than NA's. This doesn't guarantee that EU will be absent of issues but they do appear to be taking it more seriously.

Here's EU's section on accessibility:



And NA's:



I'm glad that EU attendees are seemingly getting clearer information than we are on the NA side, but seeing the contrast is really disappointing. The still in place requirement to talk to this one person coordinating accommodations on the NA side, getting approval, and waiting for individualized confirmation is still putting far too much labor on disabled fans in NA who are just trying to plan their trip like everyone else.

I hope Square Enix can update the NA FAQ at least and make some revisions to their internal processes. There's still time to make this more transparent and accessible, but it's running out fast.

For what it's worth, quite a few of the things you've posted here as listed on the EU site are givens for NA--convention centers that were not wheelchair accessible and didn't have entrances that could be easily used by disabled people would be sued into dust, and service dogs are allowed everywhere to the point that the unscrupulous take advantage of it to bring non-service dogs into grocery stores because by law "it's a service dog" has to be accepted even if it's a bold-faced lie. It's nice to see them listed though, and it would be nice for NA to list them as well for peace of mind. I really cannot imagine any kind of large event in America barring a service dog without getting into massive legal hot water. (I can imagine a company not clearly understanding American ADA law and trying, then getting smacked around for it, to be fair.)

The ADA lady who contacted me a few days after we bought the tickets is a saint though and I'm sorry to hear it's just her. The impression I got from having to talk to her was more that they wanted to make sure they had enough accommodations, get a head count as it were. I hope that's the case, and I won't blame her if things don't go as well as they could.

[Turkborne]

Fingers crossed for this. They NEED to do better this time.

[Turkborne]

Fingers crossed for this. They NEED to do better this time.

I wholly fatfingered which reply button in response to Melodic. (Curse you mobile interface.)