Seattle Worldcon 2025: Building Yesterday’s Future—For Everyone is dedicated to providing services, assistance, and support to all our members with disabilities , to the best of our ability, within our budget limitations. We strive to go beyond Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance to provide accessibility and equality for all members with disabilities and staff.
Accessibility FAQ:
How will you identify members with disabilities? How do these members qualify for services?
As per the ADA and best practices, we will never ask for any kind of “proof” of disability status. Anyone who wants accessibility services should notify the accessibility desk at the convention once they are badged. Members with accessibility needs will be given an identifier sticker for the back of their badge, and will be asked to display it only when necessary for staff to properly assist them with their needs (such as when lining up to attend marquee events, or in elevator lines).
How accessible are your facilities?
The main facility is the Summit Building of the Seattle Convention Center, a recently constructed building which is in full compliance with the 2010 ADA standards for physical access, and includes HEPA filtering (all spaces are equipped with MERV 13 filtration (36 KB .pdf)). The building has a GBAC STAR accreditation, which is the industry’s highest standard for cleaning for airborne diseases.
The secondary facility (the Sheraton Grand) is moderately less accessible.
We intend to use signs and other mitigation measures to help with navigation, distance, and other issues.
Accessibility information about the local area will be added to the website closer to the event in order to account for any last minute changes to the surrounding area.
How does the convention handle service animals?
As per law, Seattle Worldcon 2025 welcomes ADA service animals. No other animals are permitted in convention areas for the safety and health of all our guests, including non-ADA service animals.
How do you handle companion humans?
If you have a caregiver or personal aide, please reach out to registration@seattlein2025.org. We offer free, but limited, badges to caregivers, which require the caregiver to be with their person at all times, much like a “child in tow” badge. Caregivers who wish to attend convention events outside of caregiving duties must purchase a full membership.
Will disabled persons receive priority seating? What about standing in lines?
People with an accessibility identifier will be given priority seating at major events. Some seating will be reserved at our marquee events for persons with specific disability needs (sightlines for ASL interpretation or captions, etc.). We will publish times for members to begin to line up for such events. For all other events, we will provide line service, and seating for those who cannot stand.
What about elevators?
Our main convention space is fortunately large and does not have many floors; we hope to see relatively short lines, if any, for elevators. That said, members with accessibility needs will be given priority for elevators when necessary. We may have alternate lines or special elevators in use for marquee events.
Do you have a calming room? What services does it offer, what are its hours, and where is it?
Our Calming Lounge will be available during the convention in the main convention space, as well as an evening suite called the Oasis at the Sheraton Grand. Both rooms will be identified on convention maps. For more details see the Safer Spaces page.
Will you offer captioning, hearing aid, or ASL interpretation services?
We intend to offer CART captioning and ASL at our marquee events, and hope to offer ASL by request for regular programming as well. You can make requests by emailing our team at accessibility@seattlein2025.org. We are hoping to have AI transcription at all panels. Our online panels and streaming events will be hosted in Zoom Events and have access to Zoom transcription. Stay tuned for updates.
Will you be offering rental mobility equipment?
Rental mobility gear will be the financial responsibility of the members. We’re working to contract with a provider at this time. We will update this page with rental information when we have our agreement in place.
Are there ADA rooms at the hotel? What type? How do you ensure that members can get an ADA room in your room block if they need one?
We opened hotel registration early to members who had informed us of their accessibility needs at that time. Unfortunately, at this time our blocks have filled. There may still be rooms available. Please contact your hotel directly.
Which accessibility services must be booked in advance? How far in advance must members contact us?
Rental equipment and ASL interpreters should be booked a minimum of four weeks in advance. Information on booking is forthcoming and will have limited availability based on the supply of equipment and providers we can find.
What other assistance can the convention provide to disabled members?
Our accessibility desk will be in the main lobby of the Summit Building and open to assist members during major convention hours. Outside of those hours, if you have an emergency that may fall under the ADA or accessibility division, contact Operations and they will assist you, with the help of an on-call accessibility staff member.
How are convention staff and volunteers trained to handle access issues?
All convention staff will receive training in basic ADA compliance, disability sensitivity, and how to best assist members with accessibility needs. They will also know how to direct people to the accessibility desk/department for further assistance if necessary. Signage and other materials will remind all members of the ADA and disability policy where relevant, such as giving elevator priority to mobility device users, and leaving marked seats for members with accessibility needs.
