Deaf And Disabled Services in lobby A

Comic-Con International is dedicated to serving all our attendees. The Deaf and Disabled Services Department was established to offer a hand to visitors with special needs, including:

• Badge pick-up service (including child badges) for those with mobility issues
• ADA stickers and Service Animal stickers
• Certified ASL interpreters at large panels and the Masquerade
• A limited number of volunteer interpreters available for individual assistance
• A limited number of wheelchairs for loan in up to three-hour increments on a first-come, first-served basis
• A limited number of rental scooters are available on a first-come, first-served basis 
• Special limited seating for some programming, events, and the Masquerade
• A rest area for the disabled, the elderly, expectant mothers, and parents with small children
• Comfort Rooms that can be used for nursing infants, administering medication, or as a sensory shroud for attendees with special needs
• Those with mobility issues can request a runner to pick up ticketed giveaways from Program Premiums for you (at the Hyatt Hotel).

Important Things to Know:

• Deaf and Disabled Services is located in Lobby A
• The elevators in Lobbies B, E, and H provide access to the Upper Level
• The elevator in the lower bayside lobby at the rear of Hall B2 provides access to the Mezzanine, the Mezzanine Terrace, the Pavilion Terrace, and the Upper Level
• Satellite RFID Badge Help desks can be found in Lobbies A, D, and G
• First aid is available in Lobby C
• Lost and Found is in Lobby D
• Coat & Bag Check is in Lobbies E and F
• Costume Prop Check is located in Lobbies C2 and E

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Who to Ask, and Where to Look

• For Deaf or Disabled Services information, check our FAQ or ask at the booth in Lobby A.
• For Deaf or Disabled Seating information, look for someone wearing a light blue vest in the lobbies outside the larger Program rooms.
• For Line information, ask someone with a Comic-Con branded lime-green polo shirt, but be aware that some line locations are not announced in advance.
• For Autograph information, ask at the Autographs booth in the Sails Pavilion.
• ForExclusives information, see the exclusives portal, or ask at an individual exhibitor’s booth.
• To find the time a panel or program will begin, and where it will be, look at the programming grid in your Events Quick Guide or on the Comic-Con website.
• For detailed information about an exhibitor, program, or guest, look in the Events Quick Guide which has QR codes to take you directly to the appropriate webpage, or check our website directly at www.comic-con.org
• For hourly updated information regarding autograph and programming schedule changes or cancellations, check the “Schedule” boards posted around the Convention Center.

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If you are an attendee with disabilities, Comic-Con wants to make your experience as fun and as entertaining as possible, but there are a few limitations on what can be provided. For example:

• Deaf and Disabled Services cannot guarantee any seating, autographs, exclusives, or giveaways. All event and Program rooms have limited capacity as set by the fire marshal. Even though your badge is needed to get into all events, it does not guarantee you access to any event if it has reached its capacity. We do not clear rooms between events.
• Program rooms fill up quickly, and all seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reserved seats. ADA seating may not be available if you wait until the last minute to get to the room. Please check the schedule and plan your day accordingly, keeping in mind the popularity of most events.
• Be aware that a portion of the Hall H line is outside and may subject you to many long hours in the sun.
• Most autograph signings are of a limited nature. It is a good idea to make arrangements to have someone within your group save a spot for you in line.
• There will always be information that Comic-Con is not told about in advance, such as special guests in panels or at exhibitor booths.
• We are unable to refrigerate medicines or any other perishables. 

Where do I go if I need a wheelchair or scooter?

• Mobility Source is located in Lobby A.
• A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan, for up to 3 hours on a first-come, first-served basis with ID and a credit/debit card for the deposit (fee TBD).
• A limited number of rental scooters are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• If you choose to transition from your crutches, walker, or wheelchair to a scooter/wheelchair, we can store your device.
• If you would like to reserve a rental scooter in advance, contact Mobility Source at (619) 234-9505 by July 8.
• If you have an issue with your rental scooter or loaned wheelchair on-site, call Mobility Source at (619) 234-9505.

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How do I request an Interpreter?

Requesting an ASL Interpreter for Panels

The largest panels (Hall H, Ballroom 20, Room 6BCF, Room 6DE, Room 6A, Indigo Ballroom, and the Masquerade) will already have ASL interpreters scheduled.

For a smaller panel, an interpreter may be requested at the Deaf Services desk in Lobby A. As always, the scheduler will try to accommodate all requests.

Requesting an ASL Volunteer Interpreter for other needs

Also at the Deaf Services desk, you can request a volunteer interpreter to assist you with a variety of other needs, for up to three hours. Some examples are interpreting for gaming, autographs, helping find a line, or assisting in the Exhibit Hall or other official Comic-Con areas. 

If you are a daily volunteer or department volunteer and would like a volunteer interpreter to accompany you on your assignment, you may request one at the Deaf Services desk

We will do our best to accommodate your interpreter needs, but occasionally, due to limitations beyond our control, we may not be able to accommodate all requests.

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Exclusives and Exclusive Autograph Signings

On the Exclusives Portal

To ensure everybody has equal access to exclusives and exclusive autograph signings, Comic-Con uses a randomized selection process through the online Exclusives Portal.

Watch the Toucan Blog and social media for announcements about the portal. When it goes live, Log in to Member ID, and click the link under the Exclusives Portal in the main menu. Follow the instructions carefully. Once open, participants with an eligible badge may sign up for the opportunity to be selected for access to shop for exclusives from participating exhibitors or for a chance to take part in an exclusive signing.

• If you are randomly selected for an exclusive item, you will be emailed further instructions on when and where to make your purchases. 
• If you are randomly selected for an exclusive signing, you will be emailed a confirmation with a QR Code and further instructions on how and when to get your wristband for the signing that day.

Please note: Randomly distributing purchase-timeslot tickets eliminates the need to rush on-site. Participation is limited to the days you have a badge, and you will have a certain number of opportunities to enter for exclusives offered for each of those badged days. You can put all your requests into a single item, or spread them out. It’s up to you! 

Special ADA wheelchair access points are at the discretion of the exhibitor. The line itself must be ADA-compliant, but not every exhibitor will have a separate ADA line.

Please refer to the Comic-Con website and the Toucan Blog for more details.

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Limited Autograph Signings

In the Sails Pavilion

During the show, the Autograph Area in the Sails Pavilion has to limit some signings due to popularity or time constraints. Wristbands are distributed through random drawings scheduled to begin each morning after the doors to the Exhibit Hall open. Each of the signings is listed on the Autograph Area’s online Limited Signings schedule.

To participate in a wristband drawing, please go to the indicated line where one of two random systems will be used:

• You will either press the button on the randomization device to be instantly told if you are a winner; or
• You will pick a ticket out of a container (the winning tickets will have a distinct stamp on the back).

Wristbands will be placed on all winners’ wrists immediately. The wristband will admit the wearer into the designated autograph line at the specified location and time. If you are not a winner, you may return to the end of the line to try again until all wristbands have been given out—one wristband per person, per signing.

For ADA: the Autograph Area can provide a volunteer placeholder to stand in the random drawing lines for wristbands and/or the limited autograph lines for you. You can only use one volunteer placeholder at any time and you must be present to take your place in line when it is your turn.

For more information, please ask at the Autograph Area Information Desk or refer to the Comic-Con website.

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How do I schedule an ADA Hotel Shuttle to pick me up?

The ADA Hotel Shuttle

For mobility-impaired attendees who reserved their hotel room through the onPeak/Comic-Con website reservation system and require special transportation, the ADA Hotel Shuttle operates between all official Comic-Con hotels and the Convention Center, by advanced reservation only, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the capacity of the vehicles. Shuttles are designed to accommodate a wheelchair. Passengers are allowed only one companion.

You must make reservations in advance by calling the Seat Planners ADA Hotel Shuttle supervisor at (619) 510-6383 between 8:30 am–5:00 pm, or visit the ADA Hotel Shuttle Information desk located on the sidewalk outside the Lobby A doors, to arrange for an ADA Hotel Shuttle pick-up. When leaving a voicemail, please provide your name, phone number, hotel, a one-hour window for pick-up at the hotel, and a one-hour window for departure from the Convention Center. Voicemail reservations are not valid unless confirmed by the Comic-Con shuttle dispatcher.

Sorry, this service is only available to those who registered their room through onPeak, from the Comic-Con website.

The ADA Hotel Shuttle will operate during the following times:

Wednesday	3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Thursday	5:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Friday	5:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Saturday	5:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Sunday	5:00 AM to 7:00 PM

NOTE: The ending time is the last departure time from the San Diego Convention Center. The last shuttle departing the hotels going to the Convention Center will be approximately 30 minutes before the end time listed.

The ADA Shuttle will drop off and pick up near the Lobby A driveway, between the Marriott and the Convention Center. You’ll find Deaf and Disabled Services inside Lobby A.

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Additional Information

ADA Attendants
Some attendees with disabilities may need an attendant who supports and helps them with activities such as eating, using the bathroom, supervision, communication, or getting from place to place. An attendant is present only to assist the attendee.

IMPORTANT! All attendants will be required to purchase a badge either on-site or in the badge sale (the ADA does not require free admission for attendants).

Service Animals
Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.

The ADA requires that service animals be under the control of the handler at all times and be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work, or the individual’s disability prevents them from using these devices.

Comfort/Support Animals
San Diego Convention Center does not allow comfort/support animals. Only trained Service Dogs, as defined by the ADA, are allowed to assist and accompany a disabled owner. San Diego Comic Convention and San Diego Convention Center follow all State and Federal ADA compliance laws and directions.

Captioning
Comic-Con is not a cable operator, television broadcaster, satellite distributor, or multi-channel programming distributor and therefore is not required to caption. Comic-Con does not provide the content shown in Program rooms, and cannot offer closed or open captioning of content. While we welcome video content during panels to include captioning on a voluntary basis, that content is not required to be captioned by law. (Please see above: How do I request an Interpreter?).

Mobility Devices and OPDMDs

Traditional Mobility Devices
Per ADA compliance, those with accessibility needs will be accommodated. Attendees with mobility issues are welcome to bring devices designed primarily for use by individuals with mobility-related disabilities. If you would like the use of a free wheelchair or prefer to rent a scooter, please see “Where Do I Go If I Need a Wheelchair or Scooter?” above.
Note: We do not have charging stations or storage facilities for powered mobility devices.

All mobility devices must be operated safely, at the walking speed of those around you (4 mph or slower). VIOLATION OF THIS RULE COULD RESULT IN BEING REMOVED FROM THE EVENT AND HAVING YOUR BADGE REVOKED. 

Non-traditional Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices
Due to legitimate safety concerns based on the high volume of slow-moving pedestrian traffic inside the Convention Center, all mobility devices must have three wheels or more to ensure stability. This requirement is for your safety, as well as the safety of others. 

Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) with two or fewer wheels, including two-wheeled scooters, Segways, bicycles, electric motorcycles, and ‘hoverboards’ are not allowed in any public areas of the Convention Center, including the lobby. No fuel-powered devices are allowed. 

If you wish to bring a non-traditional OPDMD inside the Convention Center, you are strongly urged to contact Disabled Services in advance cci-info@comic-con.org. Please include the following information:

1. Type of OPDMD (including the manufacturer and model)
2. Dimensions of your OPDMD (should not exceed 32” wide x 52” long x 84” high, including rider) 
3. Weight of your OPDMD (should not exceed 450 lbs.)
4. Turning radius of your OPDMD (should not exceed 5 feet)
5. The maximum speed of your OPDMD (and does it have an indoor setting to limit the speed to 4 mph and slower?)

Please allow three weeks for Disabled Services to reply to your email.

When bringing an OPDMD to the Convention Center, you must first take your device to Disabled Services in Lobby A so they may assess your device in person. They will verify the above requirements, and you will be asked to provide credible assurance* that the mobility device is required because of a disability.

•   If your OPDMD is allowed, it will be tagged as APPROVED by Disabled Services.
• If your device is not allowed, we cannot store it for you, and you must remove it from the  property.

Comic-Con reserves the right to restrict OPDMD use when, in our opinion, such limitation is required to protect all convention goers’ public health, safety, and welfare. The OPDMD shall not be operated in an unsafe manner or cause damage to Convention Center property. The OPDMD operator assumes all risks of operating the OPDMD on Convention Center property. Comic-Con does not represent that Convention Center property is safe for OPDMD use and does not assume any liability for the operation of the OPDMD. Certain risks are inherent in the use of OPDMDs. No OPDMD may be stationary less than 20 feet from any entrance or exit. The only exception is if foot traffic is at a standstill. *Credible assurance means a Disability Placard or Card presented by the person to whom it was issued and is in compliance with the state of issuance’s requirements for disability placards or cards, or a verbal statement that does not contradict observation.

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The Deaf and Disabled Services team is here to help.
By working together, we can make the convention experience enjoyable for everyone.

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Be sure to read the Comic-Con Policies page here:
https://www.comic-con.org/cc/plan-your-visit/convention-policies/

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For information not listed in the FAQ, please contact cci-info@comic-con.org or ask on-site
at Deaf and Disabled Services.