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 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”)

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 access@arisia.org for details.

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.

Hotel Needs

The Westin is now sold out. If you already have a reservation at the Westin, and if you need a particular type of hotel room (such as low floor or a bathroom with grab bars) or need something specific, like one of the Westin’s manual wheelchairs, please fill out the Special Request form with your confirmation number to let the Innkeeper know what you need. There is more information on our Hotel page.

Arrangements in the overflow hotel, the Aloft may be made directly with the hotel.

Quiet Room

This year we will have a Quiet Room in the Westin again, a space to take a break from the noise and chaos of the con and those omnipresent fluorescent lights. The room will be very simply furnished.

To help people with allergies, we are going to ask that this be a food free space. 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 (through the innkeeper). The hotel also has 2-3 rental scooters, but we strongly recommend that anyone interested make arrangements well ahead of time.

Contact 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.

We will be offering priority seating at large events for attendees who need it. Please email access@arisia.org if you are interested in signing up, or see the Information Desk in the lobby during the convention.

Assistive Listening Devices are available for some events in the Marina Ballrooms. There will be a list posted at the convention!

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 access@arisia.org.