WoTCon is welcoming to individuals of all abilities and is committed to providing a fully accessible event. We are dedicated to ensuring full access, and we encourage all feedback and suggestions in order to improve your experience at our inaugural Con.
The following explains all accommodations provided at WoTCon 2023. For any accessibility-related questions, please complete our online contact form. We will do our best to help you have an amazing experience.
Dietary restrictions
Several meals are provided by the hotel and are included with your WoTCon 2023 registration cost. WoTCon will make its best effort to accommodate all dietary restrictions for every meal on the con schedule.
Please submit dietary restrictions with your WoTCon registration. Dietary restrictions must be made in advance of the con and will depend on the resources and ability of the hotel kitchen to accommodate. Last minute requests for some restrictions cannot be guaranteed.
Box lunches will be labeled accordingly; during served meals or buffets, hotel staff will bring your food to you.
To ensure your food gets to you promptly and correctly, please submit dietary restrictions no later than June 13th, 2023. See Kaela, WoTCon’s accessibility coordinator, during the con for any late requests and she will do her best to make sure you are fed!
Accessibility Credentials
WoTCon provides accessibility ribbons to individuals who may have mobility, physical, vision, hearing, cognitive, psychological, or any other type of disability that may not be visible. Attendees can request a ribbon through completing the Accessibility “Accommodation Request” box in the account section, or at the time of the event on site (no application required). These ribbons may be picked up on site only at the Registration table. An accessibility ribbon identifies you to Staff and Volunteers, and indicates that you may need additional assistance.
Please note that the accessibility ribbon itself does not provide admission, you must have a valid badge to attend WoTCon.
**Accessibility ribbons are for the use of one individual only throughout the course of WoTCon 2023. Accessibility ribbons cannot be redistributed, resold, or reallocated. Failure to comply with this will result in revocation of your badge without refund and the inability to attend WoTCon in the future.
Accessible Seating
We provide priority seating for fans with disabilities as available, and have some marked seats in the main room and panel rooms to accommodate those with low vision/hard of hearing/access to aisles for mobility aides.
All seating for panels and events is on a first come, first served basis, and we cannot guarantee seating for everyone. If you require a specific seating accommodation (aisle seat, larger seat/greater weight limit, etc.), please complete the “Accommodation Request” box within the account section (must be logged in).
Attendees with disabilities should plan to arrive early to events so that we can best accommodate you. We will make every effort to help you access the panels and activities that are important to you.
Special Guests, Photo Ops, and Queues
In the event of special guest events or photo ops, we will provide expedited line access. These events may require advance sign-up on a first come, first served basis. Guests may be available for a limited amount of time, and we cannot guarantee admission to any WoTCon attendee.
Please show your Accessibility Ribbon to ushers/door volunteers for expedited line access at any additional queued events.
Accessibility at Registration
Registration staff and volunteers located at the registration table can help you:
- Obtain your accessibility ribbon;
- Ask any questions regarding accessibility for WoTCon events; and
- Learn about other accessibility services.
Ribbon Policy
Accessibility ribbons are valid for all days of the event.
Please DO NOT remove your ribbon for the duration of the event. If your ribbon is lost or damaged, please see registration or any WoTcon staff member for a replacement.
One companion ribbon will be issued for each attendee.
If an attendee wants to switch their companion, please bring the old companion ribbon to the Registration table to be voided and a new one will be reissued.
Service Animals
Service animals are permitted throughout the venue; however, this DOES NOT include:
- Emotional support animals;
- Therapy animals; or
- Companion animals.
Per hotel policy, pets are not allowed and will be turned away. Only legitimate service animals that are properly trained and under the proper care of their owners will be allowed into the event and provided with the appropriate credentials.
All service animals must remain by their handler’s side at all times and must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with a service animal’s work, or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
Service animals must be housebroken. Information on relief areas for service animals will be provided closer to the Con, and escort to those areas provided upon request by WoTCon staff or volunteers.
Anyone bringing an animal will be responsible for and liable for any damage or injury caused by the animal.
All animals should have legally required vaccinations.
Wheelchair Accessibility
The Marriott has sidewalk ramps, automatic doors at all street levels, restrooms, and elevators accessible for persons with mobility disabilities.
Is there anywhere I can rent a wheelchair/walker/cane?
The Marriott and WoTCon are not currently able to offer mobility device rentals at this time.
Sensory Warning
Strobing lights, amplified sounds, and some large crowds will be present at Con events. Where possible, warnings/signage will be posted in the event schedule and on site with applicable sensory warnings. Please be aware of your surroundings and consider taking “stimulation breaks” as needed. However, if you leave during a seated panel or session, we cannot guarantee your seat will be held until you return.
Effective Communication Requests
Currently, WoTCon is handling communication requests for ASL interpretation on a case by case basis as our resources allow. We cannot guarantee ASL interpretation for our programming at this time.
Pre-recorded content will be shown with subtitles when possible. Livestreams of WoTCon programming will be populated with English subtitles via YouTube’s automatic captions within 48 hours of stream.
Additional requests for Braille/Large Font Print, Guided Tours and/or other forms of Effective Communication should also be made through completing the “Accommodation Request” of the account section and will be handled on a case by case basis.
The deadline to request effective communication is June 13th, 2023.
Additional Services
Hotel Services: Hotel snack concessions, the bar, and the hotel restaurant are all accessible via ramp and can be accessed by those with mobility aides. If additional assistance is required, please speak with a WoTCon staff member or the hotel staff.
First Aid: We will have a First Aid kit available at registration, which is indicated on the event map. WoTCon does not have designated trained medical professionals on staff; for urgent medical care or medical emergencies, call 911.
Cold Storage Availability: All hotel rooms are equipped with a mini fridge for cold storage.
Comments, Questions, Suggestions
The WoTCon accessibility team will consider any request by an attendee with a disability for a reasonable modification of its policies, practices, or procedures or for auxiliary aids and services that will permit the guest equal enjoyment of the services offered at the event. We encourage you to make any such request as far in advance as possible to enhance our ability to evaluate and fulfill the request.***
***We are not currently able to accommodate individuals who are unable to be vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to WoTCon. Please see our COVID Safety Policy for more information.
WoTCon cannot guarantee fulfillment of specific accommodation requests made after June 13th, 2023.
In trying to make WoTCon an example of excellent accessibility, we encourage you to contact us by completing our online contact form for any of your accessibility-related needs. Additionally, if you have any questions about ADA or other accessibility policies or our services please reach out to us.
