Accessibility Policy

Can*Con is committed to making the convention enjoyable and welcoming for everyone. If you have a question or concern before the event, please contact Jamieson Wolf (they/them), Can*Con’s accessibility liaison, at ops@can-con.org. During the event, please ask a con volunteer or organizer to get a message to them.

Please also contact Jamieson before the convention, if possible, if you require specific assistance or supports. Can*Con may not be able to accommodate all requests, but we will do what we can to make sure everyone can attend and have a safe and enjoyable convention.

After the event, we would very much like to hear your feedback or suggestions about how Can-Con could improve its accessibility in future years. Feedback from the community is always valuable and helps us to be better and grow! We’ve been thrilled to see the overall level of community support for a culture of accessibility.

Can-Con asks its attendees to refrain from wearing scented products such as perfumes, colognes and lotions, out of consideration for other guests. Also, please follow all of the items in the Covid-19 policy.

We ask all attendees to be aware of the visible and invisible needs of others, to make space, show respect and accommodate. Moderators can do their part by making sure panels end on time, so that everyone has ample chance to make it to their next destination.

Main entrance and overall layout:

The main entrance to the Brookstreet is out front, and it is fully accessible.

The con will take place on the second and third floors of the hotel, which can be accessed both by elevator and by escalator. The vendor’s room and most of the programming rooms are on the second floor, with a few on the third floor above. We also have a con suite on a higher floor of the hotel, also accessible via elevator.

The cafe, restaurant, and bar are all located on the main floor and are fully accessible.

Food:

The Brookstreet will be serving breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and lunch on Sunday, right next to the vendor’s room, for anyone with a meal plan. Breakfast will be served 9-10am, lunch from 1-2pm.

There is a cafe open from 6:30am - 4:30pm every day of the week.

The restaurant and jazz bar are open from approximately 9am - 11pm.

Beyond the Brookstreet, within a few minutes by car, there are more restaurants, as well as a grocery store.

Washrooms:

There are (at least) three washrooms on the main convention floor (the second), and two on the third floor. All washrooms have push buttons inside and out. There will also be a single washroom in the penthouse, but it does not have a push button; feel free to ask for assistance from a volunteer if needed.

One of the washrooms on the main convention floor will be marked as gender-neutral, and it will contain a large accessibility stall. We require all areas, including washrooms, to be free of harassment or rudeness toward trans, non-binary, and genderqueer attendees; please review the Can*Con Code of Conduct for more details.

Program areas:

The doors to the panel rooms are not push-buttoned, so please knock if you arrive to a panel late and the door is closed and you require assistance. There is no raised “lip” on the floor in the program room doorways. During the breaks between panels, please try to keep the doors open and clear so people can get in and out. Every program room will have two seats reserved in the front row of each event for visually and hearing-impaired attendees. All panel rooms have space reserved in the seating area for a wheelchair or similar device.

Hallways:

The hallways in the Brookstreet are quite wide and spacious, and there are many couches and benches available. Please be aware of attendees with mobility issues and make space for them. If you encounter a wait or queue that could create discomfort or medical concerns, please let a Can*Con volunteer know immediately and we will make sure to get you to the front of the line, find you a chair, or make other arrangements.

Support:

Service animals are welcome, and there are lots of areas for walking in and around the Brookstreet. If an attendee with a disability requires a caregiver or support person, that support person attends the convention free of charge. Please contact registration beforehand so we can make a name badge for them at ops@can-con.org.

Quiet Space:

This year, the quiet space will be located on the third floor, away from the hubbub of the rest of the con. It is available throughout the duration of the con.

Please feel free to use it for any quiet purpose, but take all conversations outside the room. The consuite is open to all attendees and can be a good place to take a break, have a snack, and chat with other people. Furthermore, there is a great deal of space at the Brookstreet both inside and out for people to walk, sit, etc.

If you need a space where you can be alone, or have a medical issue and need to rest, please contact a con organizer or ask to speak to one at registration and we will bring you to a suitable room.

Online content:

For those who do not feel comfortable attending Can*Con in person, we will be hosting an online event in the spring. Stay tuned for more details!