Member Services

Member Accessibility

The Basics

What is this document?

The Otakon Member Accessibility Guide is not a policy, but rather, a guideline to help our members obtain accommodations as efficiently as possible.

What is "Member Accessibility"?

The Member Accessibility department is dedicated to providing accommodations for convention attendees who may require assistance in making their experience more accessible. After check-in at our Member Accessibility desk, upon request, we can provide reasonable accommodations that include:  

• Line Accommodation
• Priority Seating
• American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation

Please contact us for more information on different accommodations and services offered.

Otakon does not provide or rent medical or special equipment out to attendees. Wheelchairs are available in limited quantity (VERY limited) for check-out provided by the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at their grand lobby desk. If you would like to rent a wheelchair or scooter for Otakon, Scootaround delivers to the WEWCC and surrounding hotels.

Where is Member Accessibility?

The Member Accessibility desk is located to the right of Photo Suite in the WEWCC Grand Lobby.

What are the hours of operation for Member Accessibility?

How do I get a hold of Member Accessibility?

During the year and at con, you can reach us by submitting a help desk ticket.  Please select "Member Accessibility" as the topic to ensure that your question is sent to our Member Accessibility staff. Please keep in mind that we may not be able to respond to all help desk tickets during con in a timely manner. If you have an urgent concern, please come to the Member Accessibility desk near Registration. If you are unable to travel to this desk, please ask a member of staff to page Member Accessibility and we will dispatch someone to assist, if they are available, but it may take some time to arrive at your location.

How do the ASL Interpreters work?

ASL interpreters can be reserved at the Member Accessibility desk and are subject to availability. Please come talk to the Interpreters or staff at the desk for more information.

Lactation Rooms

The WEWCC has two lactation rooms to provide breastfeeding mothers with a private space to pump or nurse.  The rooms are locked, please see us at the Member Accesibility desk for access.

Preparing for the convention

Should I request assistance from Member Accessibility?

You should ask for assistance if you have a medical or accessibility need or if assistance would prevent damage to an existing injury. For example, if you have a broken leg, or are pregnant and in your third trimester, you should ask us for assistance. On the other hand, if you have a large costume, or are tired from walking all day, we apologize, but our department cannot assist you.

As stated above, any medical or accessibility need will cover you. Some examples:

• a condition that limits movement
• something that limits your travel distance
• a condition that causes pain while standing or walking for an extended period
• heart or lung related issues
• recent surgery
• panic or anxiety disorders
• deafness/other hearing issues
• blindness

The list is not complete, and only serves as a handful of examples. If you are unsure if you qualify, please contact us before the convention, so that we may investigate, and if necessary, provide alternative advice for you. For clarity, below are some examples that would not qualify for our assistance:

• broken arm
• bulky costumes
• "I don't feel good"

Regardless of whether you are eligible for Member Accessibility services during Otakon, if you begin to feel unwell during the convention, please take a break, and if needed, ask a friend for assistance. If you experience a medical emergency during the convention, please call 911 immediately.

Do I need a doctor's note?

If it is not easily apparent that you are in need of assistance, we will ask for some kind of explanation of your needs. Small nondescript pieces of medical documentation, while not required, allow us to quickly offer accommodations specific to you. Some examples of useful forms of documentation are:

• a doctor's note on script paper
• prescribed medication for condition in original container, with a label containing your name
• a note from a hospital or clinic on letterhead or script paper
• handicap parking identifier
• a Maryland MTA reduced fare identification card, or your state or country's equivalent

The following are a few things with questionable value as documentation:

• over the counter medication
• a note written by yourself or, when applicable, a guardian
• a doctor's note dated more than two months prior to Otakon

If you choose to provide documentation, a short note from a doctor, clinic, hospital, or therapist only needs to indicate that you may need accommodations. We do not need detailed medical information and are unwilling to accept it due to potential legal liability.

At the convention

Picking up your badge

First things first, check into your hotel, if needed, and relax for a little bit. When picking up your badge, go directly to the door, bypassing the line. Indicate to an Otakon staff member or security that you are proceeding to the Member Accessibility registration desk. The staff will usher you into the building towards the bag check area if applicable. After bags are checked,head over towards the Member Accessibility desk to complete registration.

Already have your badge?

Unless your badge has a Member Accessibility related ribbon, you won’t get access to the accessibility services we offer. As it is required by staff to confirm that you have a ribbon before providing you these services, it's advised you travel to the Member Accessibility desk, so we may provide this ribbon. If you are unable to navigate to Member Accessibility, please ask any member of staff to page Member Accessibility. We will dispatch someone to your location to escort you to the Member Accessibility desk. During peak times, it may take a long time for someone to come to your location, due to limited staff available to respond.

Vaccination/Negative Testing Checks?

Our Member Accessibility staff will be able to verify your vaccination or negative COVID testing status at our booth once you've checked in and will be given a wristband. As a reminder, you must have both your badge and wristband to attend Otakon 2022!! Please visit our COVID policy page on what is expected in order to be verified and given a wristband.

At the desk

If there is a wait at the desk, please use the provided seating if needed. If seating is not available, walk up to the desk and inform an accessibility staff member (even if they are currently helping someone) so we can attempt to get you seating.

Once at the desk, Member Accessibility will ask you to explain your situation, and provide documentation, if you feel it is necessary. We will look at any supplied documentation and immediately return it to you. You will be responsible for its safekeeping or disposal.

While it is understandably frustrating, if your needs are not readily apparent, and you cannot explain which accommodation(s) you may need, we may turn you away.

After you complete your request for accommodation, we will provide you a ribbon, indicating to all staff that you may need accessibility related services. We will also explain what services are offered to you due to these ribbons.

INFO DESK

We know you have a lot of questions, and we have those answers for you! Come find us at any of our four information desks located throughout the WEWCC:

• L Street Bridge (Main Desk)
• Grand Lobby Desk
• L Street Lobby Desk
• Marriott Marquis Desk (M2 Level)

Feel free to ask any of our helpful staff members how to get to your favorite events and more!

Operational Hours:

ROVING INFO

We also walk around the convention and assist con goers with important Information about the convention like where panels, photoshoots, workshops, and food are. Also we’ll let you know when different activities start so that you don't miss them and if they have been canceled. Several us from Roving Info can be found around the convention and are easily identifiable by the large information flags we carry. Please do not hesitate to walk up and ask us questions!

Operational Hours:

ONLINE INFO ASSISTANCE

We are also available to answer questions online!  You’ll see more of us on social media, with relevant answers posted publicly for all to peruse.  

Ready to ask a question? You can find us online below…

•     HelpDesk: Submit a ticket through our website
•     Twitter: Tweet or DM your question to @Otakon
•     Facebook: Message or post at https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>Otakon
•     Instagram: Look for regular updates at @otakonpics

We’ll be active online and answering questions during the days and hours listed below:

Operational Hours:

Lost and Found

Have you lost or found an item?

Please visit the Lost and Found department to submit a request for your lost item or to turn in a found item.

Lost and Found is dedicated to assist and be of a service to the members and staff when they have either lost or found an item. The purpose of the Lost and Found department is to efficiently and effectively return all items to their rightful owners while abiding and adhering to the policies of Otakorp, Inc.

Each year at Otakon, the Lost and Found Department strives to expand the services offered and improve their return rate. To accomplish this goal, the department will provide members with the most organized, effective, and respectful services by abiding by the department motto, “Members First”.

Location: Salon F

Operational Hours:

Cosplay Rescue

Falling apart at the seams? There's no need to leave the convention; stop by Room 101 for all of your repair needs, free of charge.

Cosplay Rescue is closed from 12-3 Friday and Saturday for COVID mitigation and masks are required at all times in room 101. All members will be seen in the order of wait number and we ask that friends and groups wait in the hall, unless a parent or guardian is accompanying those under 18.

All members are required to sign waivers before we can repair your cosplay. For those under 18, a parents and/or guardian will be required to sign on your behalf. Waivers are available when you arrive, however feel free to download our waivers below to sign and bring in if you plan on cosplaying  and think that there is a chance that you may need to stop by!

Operational Hours: