WonderCon Deaf Services and Disabled Services

The largest panels will already have ASL interpreters scheduled.
These rooms have deaf seating sections with yellow-back chairs, which are reserved for deaf attendees requiring an ASL interpreter. A Deaf Services sticker is required to sit in these sections. Stickers are available at the Deaf Services desk in Lobby B/C. 

For panels in smaller rooms, ASL interpreters may be requested at the Deaf Services desk in Lobby B/C. As always, the scheduler will try to accommodate all requests.

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

If you are a daily volunteer and would like a volunteer interpreter to accompany you on your assignment, you can 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.

Because each company is responsible for the program(s) they present, WonderCon has no say in how those companies want their panel to be presented. While we welcome video content during panels to include captioning, it is the decision of the presenting company or artist on how they would like their program to be presented. 

WonderCon is not a cable operator, television broadcaster, satellite distributor, or multi-channel programming distributor, and therefore is not required to caption

A limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to rent at the show, on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental requires ID and a credit/debit card (fee to be determined). 

If you would like to reserve a rental scooter or wheelchair in advance, contact MobilitySource at (619) 234-9505 by March 20. Leave a message for call-back. Do not email your reservation. 

If you choose to transition from your crutches, walker, or wheelchair to a scooter/wheelchair, we can store your device, however, we do not have storage facilities or charging stations for your powered mobility device.

Traditional Mobility Devices

Per ADA compliance, those with accessibility needs will be accommodated. Attendees with mobility issues are welcome to bring traditional devices designed primarily for use by individuals with mobility-related disabilities.

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. Trolleys, wagons, oversized strollers, rolling luggage, and handcarts are also not allowed in the Exhibit Hall. 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.  

No OPDMDs are allowed without an individualized safety assessment. If you have an OPDMD for which you seek
an individualized safety assessment, you should contact Disabled Services at least 30 days 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 or slower?)

Please allow three weeks for Disabled Services to reply to your email. If you do not secure a safety assessment prior to the event, having an assessment done at the event will cause you delays.

When bringing an OPDMD to the convention center, you must first take your device to Disabled Services in Lobby B/C so they may assess your device in person and verify if you have obtained prior clearance. 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 immediately 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 that is in compliance with the state of issuance’s requirements for disability placards or cards, or a verbal statement that does not contradict observation.

The Americans with Disabilities Act does not require reserved ADA seating for every disability. Please do not line up in the ADA line or sit in these seating sections just because you have an ADA sticker.

Waiting in an ADA line does not mean you will have first access. It does not guarantee you seating.

We offer ADA seating in three specific ways: 

• Wheelchair seating is available for mobility scooters and wheelchairs at the end of some aisles, next to a red-back chair that is reserved for your attendant. The rest of your party must wait in the general admission line. We will do our best to seat parties with children together, but this may increase your wait time in line. 
• Deaf seating areas are available in the larger rooms and have yellow-back chairs. These seating sections are reserved for deaf attendees requiring an ASL interpreter. A Deaf Services sticker is required to sit in these sections. Stickers are available at the Deaf Services desk in Lobby BC. 
• Ambulatory seating areas are available in ACC North 100B and 200A. These seating sections are reserved only for people with limited mobility, such as; those who use crutches, walkers, canes, have a prosthetic limb, can’t bend their leg, or for those with an oversized service dog (service dog sticker required). Ambulatory seating sections have
  red-back chairs. 
  
  In rooms where Ambulatory seating is not available, those with limited mobility may sit in any available seat.

We do not allow transitioning or self-transitioning from a mobility device to a seat in any Program room or event.

If you do not have mobility issues or you do not need an ASL interpreter, you may sit in the general seating areas, accessible from the general line.

All seating, including ADA-reserved seating, is “as seats become available.” All event and Program rooms have limited capacity as set by the fire marshal. Although your badge is required to attend all events, it does not guarantee access to any event if it has reached its capacity. We do not clear rooms between events.

Attendees with disabilities sometimes 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 disabled 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). Your attendant will need a Comic-Con Member ID.

Misuse: The attendant’s role is support, not to attend as an extra guest. All badges are non-transferable and tied to photo ID. An attendant not accompanying the badge holder or using the badge independently may result in revocation of the badge.

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

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 dogs be under the control of the handler at all times and be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service dog’s work, or the individual’s disability prevents them from using these devices. 

Service dogs are required to behave and not bark or growl. They must not jump up on, or lunge at, anyone or other dogs. They must be housebroken. Service dogs must remain on the floor. They are not allowed on chairs, tables, or in the fountain. Corrective action must be taken if the service dog is not behaving appropriately, up to and including removal of the animal from the venue.

Request a sticker for your service dog from the Disabled Services desk in Lobby B/C.

Comfort/Support Animals

The Anaheim Convention Center does not allow comfort/support animals. Only trained service dogs, as defined by the ADA and California law, are allowed to assist and accompany a disabled owner. WonderCon, San Diego Comic Convention, and the Anaheim Convention Center follow all state and federal ADA compliance laws and directions.

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

Watch Toucan – the official blog of WonderCon and Comic-Con – and social media for announcements about the portal. When it goes live, log in to Comic-Con 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 a confirmation with a QR Code and 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 most exhibitors will not have a separate ADA line due to fire marshal restrictions. Do not start your own line.