Access Services

Arisia is committed to being a diverse and inclusive event that attempts to provide accommodation for people with disabilities.

 

Arisia has the following services for attendees, available by request:

  • Alternative format publications: electronic text, Braille and large-format versions of publications
  • ASL interprers (Sat and Sun) and CART services for Masquerade
  • Priority seating for persons with disabilities
  • Tactile tours of the Art Show and Masquerade
  • Free memberships for PCAs (Personal Care Assistants--also called “Adult-in-tow memberships”)
  • Assistive Listening Devices in the main performance space.

If you have any questions about accessibility or if you would like to request some sort of accommodation, please send an email message to access@arisia.org. We'll try our best to accommodate your needs.

 

ASL at Arisia

We would like to offer limited ASL interpretation at Arisia, on Saturday and Sunday during the day. However, any attendee who would like ASL interpretation MUST let us know my December 31st. Please email access@arisia.org if you have questions or are interested.

Any Deaf Attendees who wish to bring an interpreter with them, can get a free (Adult-in-tow) membership for their interpreter, when they register.

We will be having two ASL meet and greet sessions at the convention, 11am on Saturday and Sunday, Location to be determined. We will also be distributing pins to attendees who know some sign language.

 

Hotel Needs

If you need a particular type of hotel room or need something specific, like one of the Westin’s manual wheelchairs, or a fridge in your room, please make your hotel reservation, and then fill out the Special Request form /SpecialRequests to let the Innkeeper know what you need. There is more information here: /hotel

Note: The Arisia innkeeper will handle requests for the Westin (which is sold out). Requests for the overflow hotel (The Renaissance) must be made directly to the hotel.

 

Tactile Tours

The Tactile Tour of the Art Show will be on Saturday, and will start at 11:30 am.

The Tactile Tour of the Masquerade will be on Sunday, during Masquerade Halftime (about 9:30pm)

Please send email to access@arisia.org if you are interested in either tour.

 

Quiet Room

This year we are adding a Quiet Room, a space to take a break from the noise and chaos of the con and those omnipresent fluorescent lights. This is our first year doing this, so the room will be very simply furnished.

We will be using a guest room on the 4th floor, and the information desk will have the room number. The room number is also likely to be listed in the pocket program as well.

This room will have set hours:

Friday 4pm-10pm
Saturday 10am-10pm
Sunday 10am-10pm
Monday 10am-3pm

This room will have a minder, or someone checking on it frequently, and it will have a list of basic guidelines and expectations of behavior. To help people with allergies, we are going to ask that this be a food free space. We ask that people not sleep here, or try to use the space as crash space. Nursing moms are welcome, but this not be used as a play space for small children. This space will also have a gender-free restroom.

 

Mobility 

Arisia makes full use of the hotel facilities. Events are spread out, and a significant amount of walking will be required. There are a number of places to sit and rest in the hallways, in large corridors outside the ballrooms, near the panel rooms, and in the main lobby of the hotel. However, we recommend that if you use mobility aids, you should bring them or arrange a rental for the convention.

The hotel does have some manual wheel “push” wheelchairs available by request. The hotel also has 2-3 rental scooters, but we strongly recommend that anyone interested make arrangements ahead of time. The business center at the Westin hotel rents scooters for $50 per day.

Contact Greg Agahigian at Penfield’s Business Center
Phone: (617) 532-4635
Email: penfields10@penfields.com

 

Service Animals

As with past years, Arisia is happy to welcome attendees with service animals. People with allergies should note that we expect a number of attendees with dogs, so they should medicate accordingly. We also ask that everyone respect the working animals and give them appropriate space. Please do not pet or otherwise distract  service animals unless invited to do so by their owners.

 

If you have ideas about how we might improve Access Services in 2013, or if you would like to volunteer to help, we would love to hear from you. Please email access@arisia.org.

 

Access: 
Public