Below are the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Accessibility Services that we receive. If your question is not addressed here, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we’ll respond within 48 hours.

What disabilities are covered under your policies?

All of them! Worldcon 76 is proud to be accessible to all types of needs. There is no minimum qualification for services, nor is proof of need required. Needs covered by accessibility services include, but are not limited to the below. Any questions about covered needs can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Deaf or hearing loss
• Blind or vision loss
• Autism, PTSD, Anxiety, or other crowd sensitivities
• Down’s Syndrome and other developmental disorders
• Wheelchair or mobility device use
• Unaided mobility impairment, including temporary disabilities such as recent injuries or surgeries
• Joint or muscle injuries or disorders, including temporary disabilities such as recent injuries or surgeries
• Late-term or complicated pregnancy

Can I rent a wheelchair or electric scooter at the convention?

The venue does not offer rentals of wheelchairs or electric scooters, so WorldCon 76 is offering rental devices through ScootAround. There are several options for rental so please see below for all the information on prices and rental type. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Rental Types

1. Manual (or “push”) wheelchairs are available from ScootAround for $15/day
2. Electric scooters (“mobies”) are available from ScootAround for $55/day

Delivery Options

1. Direct Pick-Up and Drop-Off: Members who need early drop-off or late pick-up, or who prefer to have their rental device delivered directly to their home or hotel may arrange their rental with ScootAround directly through the rental portal below. ScootAround can deliver to homes and hotels, and members are responsible for ensuring they or a representative are present for drop-off and pick-up. WorldCon 76 staff and volunteers are not able to receive delivery for anyone using this option.
2. Onsite Pick-Up and Drop-Off: Members who want to pick up their rental at Registration at the convention can reserve either a manual wheelchair or an electric scooter using the Google Form below. All rentals will be picked up at the Accessibility Services table at Registration, and will be available starting at 9 am on Thursday, August 16 th . A one-day deposit ($15 for a manual wheelchair or $55 for an electric scooter) must be made when the rental device is picked up. The remaining rental cost must be paid when the device is returned. Full payment can also be made when the rental device is first picked up. All rental devices must be returned by 7 pm on Monday, August 20th .

Rental Portals

1. For direct pick-up and drop-off (the member is responsible for arranging all rental details with ScootAround directly), please use this website: https://locations.scootaround.com/WorldCon 
2. For onsite pick-up and drop-off (rental devices will be available at the Accessibility Table at Registration onsite, with payment to be made at the convention), please use this Google form: https://goo.gl/forms/YsAQT2znS7AJL61M2

Can I request a sign language interpreter?

Yes! We are happy to provide American Sign Language interpreters for panels and other events at the convention. Every panel room will have reserved seats in the front two rows for those who require a sign language interpreter. Larger ballrooms and events may have live captioning as well. Requests for specific panels should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to ensure availability of interpreters.

Those with hearing loss may also use the proximity seats at panels to have access to a speaker or a sightline to the stage for lipreading. The venue does not have a hearing loop system, but attending members are welcome to utilize their own assistive audio equipment. If your equipment requires advance set-up, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with details of what is needed.

Are there reserved seats at events for those with disabilities?

Yes! There will be reserved seats in each panel room for those with disabilities. There will be seats in different areas to accommodate different needs. Front-row seating will be reserved for those with visual or auditory needs, while wheelchair & scooter spots will be created along the aisles. End-cap seating will be reserved for those with mobility impairments, crowd sensitivities, or those who otherwise need easy access in or out of a panel room. Up to 5% of all available seating in each panel room will be reserved for those with disabilities, with a minimum of 5 reserved seats per room.

Seats marked as reserved for those with disabilities will be held open at all times if not being used by an attending member with a disability. Attending members who are not utilizing Accessibility Services may be asked to leave reserved seating.

Reserved seating at all events is limited and will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attending members are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early for high-demand events. A separate entry line will be available at each panel room for those with disabilities. Those with disabilities may leave and re-join the entry line as needed. Numbers or other placeholders may be distributed to allow for this. For high-demand events, the entry line may be capped if all seating is spoken for.

Those with disabilities may be asked to clear panel rooms between sessions if the rest of the room is being cleared. In those cases, an accessible exit plan will be provided to ensure safety and ease of access for all attendees.

Any questions about accessible seating at panels can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What do I need to provide to apply for assistance?

Nothing! No proof of need is asked for or required by Worldcon, in compliance with HIPAA and ADA law. The Accessibility Services team may ask questions about needs in different areas of the convention to help determine the best accommodation plan, but any information provided will be kept confidential.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes! The San Jose Convention Center is fully accessible, including elevators and escalators between floors, low-pile carpet in all lobby areas, and wheelchair-accessible stalls in all restrooms. The venue also has a nursing room onsite for infant care.

For information on the presence of specific triggers at events, such as smoke effects, strobe lighting, or auditory effects at panels, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Worldcon 76 will also use signage outside of any events that utilize smoke, lighting, or auditory effects.

Are the host hotels accessible?

Yes! All the hotels have accessible rooms available, but exact set-up and availability may vary from hotel to hotel. Attending members are encouraged to put details of their needs into their reservation form, as well as contact the hotels directly with any specific questions about accessible rooms. All questions regarding hotel reservations, including wait lists, can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Will there be a Quiet Room onsite?

Yes! There will be a Quiet Room onsite at the convention center. This is a private area reserved for those who need to tend to disability-related needs, infant care, or who simply need a break from the crowds. Use of other Accessibility Services accommodations is not required to use the Quiet Room. The room will be open during main convention hours, and will be staffed by Accessibility Services team members.

The following rules will be enforced at all times in the Quiet Room. Any questions about usage may be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• No food or beverages (excluding water) are allowed in the Quiet Room. This is to protect other users who may have food allergies or sensitivities.
• Electronic devices are allowed, but must be used with headphones or have all audio muted.
• No photography, videography, or audio recording is allowed at any time in the Quiet Room, to ensure privacy of all users.
• Breastfeeding and other infant care is allowed in the Quiet Room.
• No sleeping is allowed in the Quiet Room. Users are encouraged to return to their hotel rooms for longer breaks if needed.
• Sensory and calming objects will be provided in the Quiet Room, but users are more than welcome to bring their own items if needed.

Are service animals permitted at the convention?

Yes! Service animals are always welcome at Worldcon. In compliance with ADA law, service animals must be dogs or miniature horses who are trained to perform a task or tasks to mitigate their handler’s disability. Service animals in training are allowed, as long as they are on-task and do not interfere with the work of any other service animal.

No pre-registration, certification, or identification is required of any service animal. Any attending member who would like to give advance notice of a service animal can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This information would only be used for planning purposes, and is not required for any attending member.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not recognized under ADA law, and unfortunately will not be allowed at Worldcon 76 due to the risks they may pose to trained service animals. Any questions about service or emotional support animals may be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

I have a question that hasn’t been answered here. Who do I talk to?

Any other questions can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We try to answer all questions within 48 hours, so please allow us time to reply.