Arisia is committed to being a diverse and inclusive event that attempts to provide accommodation for people with disabilities. We have the following services for attendees, available by request:
- Alternative format publications: electronic text, Braille and large-format versions of publications
- ASL interpreters (by request) and CART services for Masquerade
- Priority seating for persons with disabilities
- Tactile tour of the Art Show
- Free memberships for PCAs (Personal Care Assistants — also called “Adult-in-tow memberships”)
- Assistive Listening Devices available for some events in the Marina Ballrooms. There will be a schedule posted at the convention for these.
If you have hotel-related accessibility needs, including lower floor, roll-in shower, or light-up doorbell, make a regular room reservation first, then fill out the Special Request form.
If you cannot stand for long periods of time and need to bypass event lines (like for Masquerade) or if you need priority seating for large events due to mobility, sight or hearing, see the Information Desk for a sticker for the back of your badge. You may also email @email for details.
At the convention, the Info desk (on the Mezz in front of Exeter) will have large-print and Braille materials, including the Restaurant Guide, menus for the food trucks, and MBTA Silver Line schedules. Info Desk is open from 8:30 every morning and closes at 11:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday it closes at 8:30.
If you have any questions about accessibility or if you would like to request some sort of accommodation, please send an email message to @email. We'll try our best to accommodate your needs.
Quiet Room
We have a Quiet Room in convention hotel , a space to take a break from the noise and chaos of the con and those omnipresent fluorescent lights.
To help people with allergies, we request that this be a food-free space. This space will also have a restroom with no gender designation. People of all genders are welcome to use that 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.
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.
Priority Seating
We will be offering priority seating at large events for attendees who need it. Please email @email if you are interested in signing up, or see the Information Desk in the Westin lobby during the convention.
Feedback on Access at Arisia
If you have ideas about how we might improve Access Services, or if you would like to volunteer to help, we would love to hear from you. Please email @email.