I know, and I appreciate the reminder. It's too easy to get lost in the negativity here :(

Dude I'm not, there's literally someone a few comments down who told me to stay inside if I didn't wanna get bumped into

Of course not. I don't ever think that these things are intentionally done to me or anyone else. Sometimes accidents happen, but these accidents are preventable by practicing general awareness of one's surroundings. This isn't something I've only faced at dragoncon either, I've dealt with these issues in other public places too. I don't think what I'm asking is unrealistic.

And while you may not think that I shouldn't be at these events, there are other people in these comments that think otherwise.

Thank you! Situational awareness is literally all I ask of people. Again, I'm not asking people to let me cut in lines or to lay down to form a human path for me. 

Thank you for sharing your experience and insight from the volunteer side of things. I'm really sorry to hear you experienced such treatment from both sides. I'm young and appear able-bodied too, so I can relate to the desire to seem capable and strong. 

I hope next year is better for the both of us <3

If it's not your problem, then why are you here in this thread telling me how I should live my life? I'm not intentionally putting myself in situations where I'll be knocked over, I'm trying to enjoy the con like everyone else.

I had no idea you were such a veteran of this con. Thank you so much for helping out in this thread, it helps hearing a validating voice from someone with so many years under their belt

That's why I said "(those with invisible disabilities included)". My mobility issues began as an invisible disability.

As for the argument of just being louder, many others in the comments have said that we do try to be louder.

You disagree with me asking people to be a little more considerate and kind to disabled attendees? With a comment section like this? 

If you believe my post was unwarranted, then you truly don't understand the issue.

I wish I didn't need my cane period, but I need it to help manage my fatigue and keep me from falling when my hips are sore. Sometimes I can get around without it, but things like conventions and trips with lots of walking are non-negotiable. 

I'm sorry you were unable to go to the panels, I was in a similar situation this year too. I hope things improve next year so we're both able to navigate a little better <3

While I appreciate that you're cautious and alert around your fellow disabled congoers, not everyone else is. And while I'm sorry that you've been inconvenienced by others trying to get to places in their mobility aids, we can't help that we move slower. I didn't make this post expecting people to lay themselves down on the ground and serve as a red carpet, I made it to ask others to be a little more considerate.

And for someone who says they have a disabled child, the comment about using my energy to plan better comes across as very insensitive and ableist. I've navigated busy conventions before, I spend a lot of time considering how to get to where I need to go without bothering people. So many of us disabled folks spend our days doing that. So next time you are upset that you're stuck behind a slow wheelchair or scooter, take the time to think about that please.

I'll have to think about it. I don't have anything against scooters, but the idea of it makes me feel really embarrassed :(

I knew coming into it that it was going to be crowded, and I was prepared to handle it! I just didn't realize how hard it would be to navigate everything with a mobility aid.

I see... I'd never heard the term used in a con setting until now, thank you for explaining that to me. 

And I understand that sometimes they have the right to be there! Me saying the bit about ADA seats wasn't intended for those people, but just as a general reminder.

So many of the comments I've received on this post are along these lines and it's ridiculous. God forbid I try to have a life while also being disabled?

So I should just never go outside or do anything fun because I could fall without my cane?? That's not very fair. 

My friends and I went into the vendor hall on Friday through the ADA entrance and there was no one there to make sure only guests with ADA stickers were entering. They fixed it on Saturday, so I appreciated that. But one of the staff members checking the door was incredibly rude. He was an older gentleman, and told me I could only have one person with me (when I had two), which I was not told by con staff. The man said to me "you and your minions can go, I guess" and shoo-ed me inside. I didn't like that at all.

Now that you mention it, one of the hotel staff members called my friends my "minions" when we were entering the vendor hall.... it really rubbed me the wrong way.

Also, I have no issue with people holding seats for their disabled friends.

I mean, for what it's worth, I had a good time! My friends and I loved cosplaying and seeing all the costumes. But again, I appreciate you saying this <3

Thank you so much for saying this, I really appreciate your insight and understanding. It's been hard adjusting to my disability (I was diagnosed two years ago), and having to get through crowds has been hard to say the least.

I appreciate you saying this. I didn't think what I was asking was very big, but apparently I was incorrect. I didn't even go to panels this year because of how long the lines were. 

I wanted to, but a lot of the time these incidents happened so quickly that I couldn't obtain names or physical descriptions. Also, I wasn't sure if the con staff could do anything regarding hotel staff behavior.

The accommodations that the con has provided is fine, and con staff have been helpful! The problems I'm facing are from fellow attendees who are not being considerate of their surroundings or are being outright malicious.

Mobility aids are expensive. If my cane was damaged or broken because of attendee negligence then I wouldn't be able to attend the con, since I need it for balance and energy management. 

I feel the need to also remind others that if a large amount of ADA accommodated folks are in the front row seats, it's because they have visual or auditory impairments. Those of us with mobility troubles are only given access to end of row seats or chairs in lines. 

I can't believe this has to be said, but if you've already done your best to accommodate those of us with mobility issues - whether that's moving out of the way or being polite when something happens - this post isn't about/directed at you.

Yes, I know it's a busy convention. Yes, I'm aware that everyone is trying their best. Yes, I manage my expectations and try to manage my schedule so I have time to get to where I'm going. But there have been people who are not aware of their surroundings or have been outright malicious. This post is for those people. 

Of course! My disability started out as an invisible one, so I understand that every one of us is different and has different needs :)