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 tours of the Art Show, and of Masquerade costumes (at halftime)
- Free memberships for PCAs (Personal Care Assistants — also called “Adult-in-tow memberships”)
Deadline to request an ASL interpreter for panels is December 15, 2021. Send requests to @email.
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 access@arisia.org for details.
At the convention, the Info Desk (in the Lobby, next to the elevators) 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 AM to 11:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday it is open from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
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.
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.
The Westin no longer handles scooter rentals. For scooter rentals, please contact one of the following companies:
- Scooteraround [1-888-441-7575)
- Boston Medical Supply (1-877-707-9643)
- Boston Orthopedic Respiratory (1-800-854-6370)
Service Animals
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.
Per ADA rules, service animals are not required to be on a physical leash so long as they are under the control of their people. If you have any doubts or questions, speak to the person politely, first. If you see an animal running untended in the hotel, notify The Watch or Innkeeper staff who can coordinate with the hotel.
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.