Please do read below the things that we plan to put in place and what we might need from all our attendees to help each other. Please do also read our Accesibility Audit.
In Person Panel/Talks/Programme Rooms
There will be at least one wheelchair/scooter space marked in each programme room, and space for a mobility scooter to manoeuvre.
There will be seating in any area where there is likely to be queueing.
Priority seating will be reserved for those who need to sit or who need to be in a specific area, e.g., close to the front for sight or hearing, and close to the back for anxiety or other needs.
Where staging or platforms are used to improve visibility of participants in programme items, there will also be a step-free method of access.
Microphones will be used for speeches, readings and panels.
We cannot promise that we will have these in place, but we would like to know, in advance, if you would find a hearing assistance system (Induction loop or Infrared) or BSL interpretation of benefit via info@fantasycon2027.co.uk This will allow us to assess the needs for these and make a decision.
Where the room layout is banquet style (round tables) an accessible walkway will be marked on the floor.
Scooters
We can have mobility scooters available. This will need to be prebooked via the registration form or by emailing info@fantasycon2027.co.uk. We may ask you to contribute to the costs of this.
If you have your own scooter please do refer to the Accessibility Audit to check if it will fit in the lift. If not do contact us.
Lifts/Elevators
The lift dimensions and details are given in our Accessibility Audit. As they are not huge there may be some demand/queuing. Where possible we would ask that attendees do the following:
If you can use the stairs, without increase in pain or fatigue, then please do so.
We would remind all attendees that not all disabilities are visible, please do not ask someone why they are using the lift or suggest that they should not.
Be aware that some attendees may not be able to stand and queue/wait for a lift, we are working with the venue to try and arrange seating close to the lifts, but please be aware that people seated nearby may have arrived ahead of you and be waiting for the lift. Please do check before entering the lift.
If there is a sensible reason to use the lift, please do so. An example of this might be using the side lift as it reduces your walk to your bedroom and to do otherwise would increase pain/fatigue/other problems or you have lots of luggage. Also, if you are accompanying someone who needs to use the lift, going with them may reduce social exclusion and anxiety.
Hotels
We have written an access audit to provide specific access information about the venue. Please do read this to get a better idea of venue and nearby facilities.
Maps and signage will be provided at the venue to aid navigation. Signage will be clearly legible, considering font size/type and background colour contrasts.
Publications’ Format
We aim to ensure that publications, particularly program information is available online in a variety of formats.
Large print paper publications may be available, particularly for program information. Please let us know if you would like this by emailing info@fantasycon2027.co.uk
In person social spaces
There will be seats in all social spaces and space for mobility scooters and wheelchairs to manoeuvre.
Scent
We ask all of our attendees to apply scented products – perfume, after-shave, etc – only in their own hotel rooms or outside, not while in the public convention spaces, including in the toilets.
Gender Neutral Toilets
We will aim to have at least one toilet that is designated gender neutral (in addition to the accessible toilets), but it is dependent on the venue to allow this.All of the toilets have lockable cubicles. We would ask that you use the toilets that you are most comfortable with.Young children and those who need assistance will obviously need to be in the same facility as the person assisting them. We do not police who uses which toilets as that would be invasive and likely to be discriminatory. If you are not comfortable using the general facilities then you have the option of using the accessible facilities. Questioning why people are using a specific facility, invading other privacy, trying to prevent someone from accessing facilities or removing gender neutral signage will be treated as a violation of our code of conduct. We cannot guarantee that members of the public also at the hotel will adhere to our codes, but will work with the venue to ensure our attendees safety and comfort.
Invisible conditions and Disability
We recognise that not all conditions are visible and trust our attendees to make their needs known without having to disclose medical information or “proof”. We do not use a visible badge or sticker to indicate access needs. If attendees wish to use a Sunflower Lanyard for this purpose, our volunteers will know to look out for that.
Communication & Social
We aim to provide pronoun stickers or badges, but to make them optional. Feel free to put your pronouns in your bio and in your badge name
We will investigate the need for interpreters in British Sign Language, depending on the demand and available budget. If this would be helpful for you, then please do alert us via the registration form or by emailing info@fantasycon2027.co.uk
There will be a “New to Fantasycon” item on Friday(everyone welcome) to ensure those who are feeling nervous or want to ask questions have an informal opportunity to do so, to facilitate meeting new people.
Alcohol
We remind those planning parties and/or launches that whenever alcohol is available, there should always be a soft drink option as well.
Online
We are investigating the options of captions/subtitles on live and recorded online content. Please contact us if you would benefit from this.
We aim to use software that is likely to be familiar to many attendees. Also, to give people an opportunity to use software that they might be unfamiliar with prior to the event.
We will be recording selected online content, where appropriate, for later viewing. We will ensure that attendees know which rooms/programme items are to be recorded.
Our Code of Conduct will apply to online spaces and direct messaging as well as throughout the physical convention.
General
If you need anything else that we have not mentioned here please do contact us and let us know.
Please email info@fantasycon2027.co.uk with any questions that you may have.