WonderCon Deaf and Disabled Services

Anaheim Convention Center

Updated information will be added, and some information may change as the convention approaches, so please check back often.

---

WonderCon is dedicated to serving all its attendees. The Deaf and Disabled Services department was established to offer assistance 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 scooters and wheelchairs available to rent 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

---

Important Things to Know:

• Deaf and Disabled Services is in Lobby BC
• The elevator at the front of Lobby AB goes to the second and third floors of the Convention Center
• The elevator found at the back of Lobby CD goes down to Hall E and up to the second and third floors of the Convention Center
• Elevators to ACC North’s upper level can be found near the restrooms at each end of ACC North’s Plaza Lobby
• ACC North’s upper level can also be accessed via the bridge from the Convention Center’s second floor lobby, near room 201A

---

If you are an attendee with disabilities, WonderCon 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. While all ADA seating requirements are met or exceeded, 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.
• Programming 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 read your WonderCon Program Book and plan your day accordingly, keeping in mind the popularity of most events.
• Special autograph sessions are generally limited, so 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 WonderCon is not told about in advance, such asspecial guests in panels or at exhibitor booths.
• If you have medications or other items that need to be kept cool, you should bring a small cooler or insulated bag. We are unable to refrigerate medicines or any other perishables.

Read the WonderCon Policies page here:
https://www.comic-con.org/wc/plan-your-visit/convention-policies/

---

Requesting an ASL Interpreter for Panels

The largest panels will already have ASL Interpreters scheduled.For a smaller panel, an interpreter may be requested at the Deaf Services desk in Lobby B/C. As always, the scheduler will try to accommodate all requests.

---

Requesting an ASL Volunteer Interpreter for Other ASL Needs

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

---

Captioning

WonderCon is not a cable operator, television broadcaster, satellite distributor, or multi-channel programming distributor, and therefore is not required to caption. While WonderCon presents the programming, it is each individual company that produces its respective program. Because the program is created by them, WonderCon has no say in how those companies want their panel to be presented. While we welcome video content during panels to include captioning on a voluntary basis, that content is not required to be captioned by law.

---

Wheelchairs and Motorized Scooters

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. A limited number of scooters and wheelchairs are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis.  Rental requires ID and a credit/debit card. If you choose to transition from your crutches, walker, or wheelchair to a rental scooter or wheelchair, we can store your device, however we do not have storage facilities or charging stations for your 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.

Updated information will be added, and some information may change as the convention approaches, so please check back often.

---

See here for information on Non-Traditional Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices

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 at 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‘)
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 BC 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. 
    
   WonderCon 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. WonderCon 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.

---

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

For more information, please also see our Deaf and Disabled FAQ

---

Service Dogs

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

The State of California ADA compliance laws only recognize certified, trained service dogs. Anaheim Convention Center follows all State and Federal ADA compliance laws and directions.

Comfort/support animals are no longer allowed. Only a trained service dog, as defined by the ADA, is allowed to assist and accompany a disabled owner.

---

Exclusives and Exclusive Autograph Signings

On the Exclusives Portal

To ensure everybody has equal access to exclusives and exclusive autograph signings, WonderCon uses a randomized selection process through the online Exclusives Portal. Watch the Toucan Blog and social media for announcements about the portal.

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.

---

Limited Autograph Signings

At the Autograph Desk

During the show, the Autograph desk 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.

For more information, please ask at the Autograph Area Information desk or refer to the WonderCon website.

Please refer to the WonderCon website and the Toucan blog for more details.

Updated information will be added, and some information may change as the convention approaches, so please check back often.

---