Deaf and Disabled Services

Comic-Con International is dedicated to serving all of its attendees. The Deaf and Disabled Services Department was established to offer a hand to visitors with special needs, including:

• Badge pick-up service (including child badges) for those with mobility issues

• Disabled Stickers and Service Animal Stickers

• A rest area for the disabled, the elderly, expectant mothers, and parents with small infants

• Comfort rooms that can be used for nursing infants, administering medication, or as a sensory shroud for attendees with special needs

• A limited number of wheelchairs available for loan in up to three-hour increments on a first-come, first-served basis

• A limited number of rental scooters are also available on a first-come, first-served basis 

• Those with mobility issues can request to have a runner pick up Program Premium Room ticketed giveaways

• American Sign Language interpreters for the deaf at many of the panels and the Masquerade

• A limited number of volunteer interpreters available for individual assistance

• Special limited seating for some programming events and the Masquerade

Other important things to know: 

• The elevators in Lobbies B, E, and H provide access to the Upper Level

• The elevator in the lower Bayside Lobby at the rear of Hall B2 provides access to the Mezzanine, the Mezzanine Terrace, the Pavilion Terrace, and the Upper Level Program Rooms, and the Sails Pavilion Program Rooms

If you are an attendee with disabilities, Comic-Con wants to make your experience as fun and as entertaining as possible, but there are a few limitations on what can be provided. For example:

• Programming rooms fill up quickly, and all seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so special seating may not be available when you arrive, especially if you wait until the last minute to get to the room. Please check the schedule and plan your day accordingly, keeping in mind the popularity of most events

• Be aware that the Hall H line may be subject to many long hours in the sun

• Special autograph sessions are always limited, so it is a good idea to make arrangements to have someone within your group save a spot for you in line.

• Keep in mind that Deaf and Disabled Services cannot guarantee any seating, autographs, exclusives, or giveaways.

• We are unable to refrigerate medicines or any other perishables.

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How do I schedule an ADA Hotel Shuttle to pick me up?

The ADA Hotel Shuttle

For mobility impaired attendees who reserved their hotel room through the onPeak reservation system and require special transportation the ADA Shuttle operates between all official Comic-Con hotels and the Convention Center, by advanced reservation only, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the capacity of the vehicles. 

Shuttles are designed to accommodate a wheelchair. Passengers are allowed one companion.

^{Sorry, this service is only available to those who registered their room through onPeak, from the Comic-Con website}

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Where do I go if I need a wheelchair or scooter?

A limited number of wheelchairs are available at no charge for up to 3 hours on a first-come, first-served basis with ID and a credit/debit card for the deposit (fee TBD)

A limited number of rental scooters are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to reserve a scooter in advance, contact Mobility Source at (619) 234-9505 before July 5th.

If you choose to transition from your crutches, walker, or wheelchair to a scooter/wheelchair, we can store your personal device

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How do I request an Interpreter?

Requesting an ASL Interpreter for Panels

The largest panels will already have ASL Interpreters scheduled. For a smaller panel, an interpreter may be requested at the Deaf Services desk. The scheduler will try to accommodate all requests

Requesting an ASL Interpreter for all other needs

At the Deaf Services desk you can also request a volunteer interpreter for a variety of other ASL needs (for up to 3 hours) 

If you are a daily volunteer and would like a volunteer interpreter to accompany you on your assignment, you can request one at the Deaf Services Desk

We will do our best to accommodate your interpreter needs, but occasionally, due to limitations beyond our control, we may not be able to accommodate all requests.

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Exclusives and Limited Autograph Signings

In an effort to ensure everybody has equal access to exclusives and limited autograph signings, Comic-Con uses a randomized selection process 

Please refer to the website for more details.

If there is a line and you need wheelchair access, contact line management staff and they will tell you where to access the line.

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Additional Information

ADA Attendants

Some attendees with disabilities may need an attendant who supports and helps them with activities such as eating, using the bathroom, supervision, communication, or getting from place to place. An attendant is present only to assist the attendee, and not for personal benefit.

IMPORTANT CHANGE! Attendants will be required to purchase a badge onsite (The ADA does not require free admission for attendants).

Service Animals

Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.

The ADA requires that service animals be under the control of the handler at all times and be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the individual's disability prevents them from using these devices. 

Comfort/Support Animals

The State of California ADA compliance laws only recognize certified, trained Service Dogs. The San Diego Convention Center follows all State and Federal ADA compliance laws and directions

Comfort/Support Animals are no longer allowed. Only a trained Service Dog, as defined by the ADA, is allowed to assist and accompany a disabled owner.

Captioning

Comic-Con does not provide the content shown in programming rooms, and cannot offer closed or open captioning of that content. Comic-Con is not a television broadcaster, a video distributor, or a streaming platform and therefore is not required to caption. (Please see above: How do I request an Interpreter?)

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The Deaf and Disabled Services team is here to help. By working together, we can make the convention experience enjoyable for everyone. 

Comic-Con Deaf and Disabled Services at San Diego Convention Center.

SEE YOU IN 2023!