Deaf and Disabled Services

Deaf and Disabled Services is located in Lobby H on the lower level of the San Diego Convention Center

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

Badge retrieval for those with mobility issues (including child badges)
Handicapped Stickers and Service Animal Stickers
A rest area for the disabled, the elderly, expectant mothers, and parents with small infants
Comfort Rooms that can be used for nursing infants, administering medication, or as a sensory shroud for attendees with special needs
A limited amount of wheelchairs for loan in up to three-hour increments on a first-come, first-served basis
A limited amount of rental scooters are also available on a first-come, first-served basis
American Sign Language interpreters for the deaf at many of the panels and the Masquerade
A limited number of volunteer interpreters available for individual assistance
Special limited seating for some programming events and the Masquerade

Other important things to know:

The elevators in Lobbies B, E, and H provide access to the Upper Level
The elevator in the lower bay-side lobby at the rear of Hall B2 provides access to the Mezzanine, the Mezzanine Terrace, the Upper Level, and the Pavilion Terrace
First-Aid is available in Lobby C
Lost and Found is in Lobby E
Coat Check is in Lobby F

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:

Programming rooms fill up quickly, and all seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so special seating may not be available if you wait until the last minute to get to the room.
Please read your Program Book and plan your day accordingly, keeping in mind the popularity of most events.
Special autograph sessions are always limited, so it is a good idea to make arrangements to have someone within your group save a spot for you in line.
Keep in mind that Deaf and Disabled Services cannot guarantee any seating, autographs, exclusives, or giveaways.
We are unable to refrigerate medicines or any other perishables

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

For attendees with mobility disabilities, the ADA Shuttle will operate between all official Comic-Con hotels and the Convention Center by reservation, on a first-come, first-served basis, and subject to the capacity of the vehicles. Badged members must have reserved their hotel room through the OnPeak reservation system on the Comic-Con Special Edition webpage in order to use this service.

Shuttles are designed to accommodate a wheelchair. Passengers are allowed one companion.

Attendees requiring assistance must make reservations in advance by calling Seat Planners at (619) 572-9121 between 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (except Thanksgiving Day) to arrange for an ADA 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.

The ADA Shuttle will operate during the following times:

Friday	7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday	7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Sunday	7:00 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 prior to the end time listed.

The ADA Shuttle will drop off and pick up outside Hall H. You'll find Deaf and Disabled Services just inside Lobby H.

The Museum Shuttle (ADA accessible) runs between the Convention Center and the Comic-Con Museum and does not need to be scheduled. The Museum Shuttle makes no other stops.

The Museum Shuttle will also pick up and drop-off outside Hall H.

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

Mobility Source is located in Lobby G
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 amount 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 personal device
If you would like to reserve a scooter or wheelchair in advance, contact Mobility Source at (619) 234-9505
If you have an issue with your rental scooter or loaned wheelchair call Mobility Source at (619) 234-9505

How do I request an Interpreter?

Requesting an ASL Interpreter for Panels
If there is a specific program/panel you want to see in a program room, go to the Deaf Services desk in Lobby H. One of the Deaf Services desks will have a daily programming schedule taped to it. Any panels/programs you see highlighted already have interpreters assigned. If yours is not highlighted, ask the scheduler at the desk if an interpreter can be assigned to your panel/program. If an interpreter is available, the scheduler will highlight it. The scheduler will try to accommodate all panel requests.

Requesting an ASL Interpreter for all other needs
At the other Deaf Services desk, you can fill out an Interpreter Request Form for assistance with a variety of ASL needs (for up to 3 hours). Some examples are: interpreting for autographs, helping find a line, assistance in the Exhibit Hall or at other Comic-Con sponsored events.

If you are a daily volunteer and need an interpreter for your assignment, you can also fill out a request form. We try our best to accommodate all requests.

After you fill out the form, hand it to the scheduler and they will work on assigning a volunteer interpreter to you. 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.

Exclusives and Limited Autograph Signings

In an effort to ensure everybody has equal access to exclusives and limited autograph signings, Comic-Con uses a randomized selection process.

For exclusives, distributing purchase time slot tickets randomly eliminates the need to rush. Note: Not all exclusives require ticket distribution.
For limited autographs, distributing autograph tickets randomly also eliminates the need to rush. No running!

Please click here more details.

If there is a line and you need wheelchair access, contact line management staff and they will tell you where to access the line. If you have some other mobility issue and you cannot stand in line, your designated attendant can hold your place in line.

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, and not for personal benefit. An attendant is not eligible to purchase exclusives or take part in limited signings.

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.

Captioning
Comic-Con does not provide the content shown in programming rooms, and cannot offer closed or open captioning of that content. Comic-Con is not a television broadcaster, a video distributor, or a streaming platform and therefore is not required to caption. (Please see above: How do I request an Interpreter?)

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