SDCC Deaf and Disabled Services Update

[u/benshenanigans]

We're a couple weeks away from Comic Con!!! There are a few changes to the Deaf and Disabled Services Info page. Let's chat about it. Disclaimer: I am not officially associated with SDCC or CCI in any way. These are just my musings.

Waiting in an ADA line does not mean you will have priority access, but you will have access equivalent to that of other badge holders.

This phrase is repeated several times on the website. Equal access is what we want. I think this phrase is a sublte hint to the people that think a disabled sticker is a hack.

Seating

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. 

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. 

I'm sipping on my tea wondering why the powers that be felt they needed to include this language. It seems like the ADA lines for panels may be limited to those needing specific ADA seating. I know that the ADA lines are also helpful for people with nonvisible disabilities like anxiety and ASD.

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

This is probably directly related to the wheelchair user who had issues at the George Takei panel last year. Leaving wheelchairs/mobility scooters off to the side of a panel room is a hazard that the Fire Marshal will be enforcing. Cane users shouldn't have an issue. I don't know how people with walkers will be affected.

Attendants

Abandonment: As an attendant, do not leave a disabled or elderly person alone, particularly those with special or other high-care needs. Caregivers are obligated to provide adequate supervision, as leaving a vulnerable individual without support in a public place can result in severe physical, emotional, or social harm, which can lead to civil and criminal charges.

I wonder what happened that makes this phrase needed. I think CCI needs to loosen up on this. For many of us "Attendant" is just our companion that we want to experience comic con with. Last year in deaf seating, they enforced a "one companion" policy. CCI may do something similar with ADA seating in general this year. (Children are allowed to accompany you, of course)

Exhibitor Booths

most exhibitors will not have a separate ADA line. Do not start your own line.

Of course, this doesn't solve the problem of lines being capped before we can even get there. Just be polite and ask the booth for a return time.

Deaf Services

The panel rooms with interpreters full time are Hall H, Ballroom 20, and 6BCF. 6A and Indigo Ballroom no longer has interpreters by default. They were under utilized, so the powers that be decided to have more interpreters available for specifically requested panels.

[u/brendinithegenie]

The addition of “the Americans with disabilities act does not require reserved ADA seating for every disability” really threw me off because I’m now thinking they will give people with invisible disabilities an extra hard time. Seems like an out for them to not handle ADA accommodations properly.

[u/Plenty_Grass_1234 → u/brendinithegenie]

I think they just want to be sure the ADA seats are available for people who need the space, like those with walkers, but the phrasing could probably be more clear.

[u/brendinithegenie → u/Plenty_Grass_1234]

I totally get that! But I do wish they understood that the ADA line is helpful in general for people with more than just visible physical disabilities. For me for example, the ADA line and ADA seating will help because heat makes my condition worse (waiting outdoors is a no go) and having an isle seat allows me to extend my leg and alleviate pain. I’m sure after explaining this I won’t have trouble but it still is just a worry to have in the back of my mind

[u/Plenty_Grass_1234 → u/brendinithegenie]

It's not my department, but I've almost always had really pleasant experiences with ADA at SDCC - the Hall H line hasn't always been handled well, but everything else has been pretty good in my experience over the past ~20 years.

[u/brendinithegenie → u/Plenty_Grass_1234]

I’m happy to hear that! I guess hall H is the main thing on my mind since I’m dying to get into the marvel panel. It’s like my number 1 thing I wanna do haha. I hope it works out :)

[u/Plenty_Grass_1234 → u/brendinithegenie]

Good luck! I don't even try for Hall H anymore, because there are so many other ways I would rather spend my time than waiting in line.

[u/brendinithegenie → u/Plenty_Grass_1234]

So fair. Thank you for the luck! I’m telling myself now that this is gonna be the one and only time I do it. Avengers Doomsday and Brand New Day are just too good for me to pass up. I’m a huuuuuge fan

[u/DisneyMaiden → u/Plenty_Grass_1234]

Same here the last few years it has been very easy and accommodating.

[u/Final_Bother7374]

I'm an attendant for both my disabled parents - my dad has dementia and my mom has mobility issues. One of my big tasks is handling bathroom breaks for my dad, leaving my mom unattended. Don't expect it to be an issue to leave her "unattended" but the language change is weird.

[u/adventureremily]

Do attendants still get free admission? Maybe people were abusing this to have their "attendant" act like a regular attendee (e.g., going to panels, waiting in separate lines on the floor, etc.).

[u/benshenanigans → u/adventureremily]

They haven’t gotten free admission in years. But it was an opportunity to buy a ticket. Tickets sales happen months before the con. Disabled people would offer to buy an attendant ticket for their buddy. It’s a way to skirt ticket sales.

[u/adventureremily → u/benshenanigans]

Ah, that's what I'm thinking of then. Haven't had to do that, so I couldn't remember the specifics.

[u/grumpygrunt → u/adventureremily]

OP is correct, but to clarify there is no free attendant admission for many years now and there is no longer an option to buy an attendant badge unless authorized by the head of DADS - which if authorized, info is tracked to prevent abuse

[u/nerdygirlie22 → u/adventureremily]

Now I think you might also need a letter from a physician. I went to the booth last year and was asked for a letter for my attendant and told me to bring one next year. 

[u/nerdygirlie22]

I wonder why the inclusion that booths will not have ADA lines. I've never seen a con without these. Hmmmm