ACCESSIBILITY

Our new Accessibility initiative strives to ensure everyone can attend and fully enjoy MAGWest, no matter the hurdle. People with disabilities or accommodation needs are central to who our Accessibility initiative serves, but our help is certainly not limited to these categories! We love MAGWest and want to help you love it as well! 

Accessibility works during the off-season to coordinate with other departments, attendees, and anyone else requiring assistance to ensure the smooth operation of our event for all. This includes, but is not limited to, providing inter-departmental guidance and ensuring there is proper signage for elevators, all-gender bathrooms, and identifying potential digital or physical accessibility issues before they happen. 

During the event, Accessibility provides a variety of solutions and services, including offering limited emergency supplies and mobility aids for use at MAGWest. We are also on call via Hotliner if at any point you are experiencing an accessibility issue that requires special attention.

Before-Event

Please email accessibility@magwest.org if you have any questions, concerns, or requests. . Typically, we will reply to emails within a few days, but please be patient - we are all volunteers and some requests may also require extra attention. 

At-Event

You can reach out via our email above, finding us at the Accessibility Desk during open hours, or call or message us anytime using our Hotliner number: TBA

We are open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and then again from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. We are open Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. Our desk is located on the second floor, in the Silicon Valley Room where Event Safety is also located.

FAQ

Should I email the Accessibility department if I’m a volunteer who needs accommodations?

Yes!  We can assist in ensuring your needs are met by working along with Staff Operations and any other relevant departments.

Is there accessible parking?

Yes, the DoubleTree Hilton conveniently offers accessible parking spaces in multiple parts of their parking lot, depending on which doors you prefer to use most frequently! There are also disabled parking spots outside of the hotel. All disabled parking spaces are only for vehicles that carry a disabled parking permit or placard, and are first come, first serve. These spaces cannot be reserved. 

Are there accessible and gender-neutral restrooms available?

Yes, there are three large bathroom areas at MAGWest and one set in the middle of the DoubleTree will be marked as gender neutral with additional signage at the event.. Consult the map for locations or reach out to us. 

Are service animals permitted in the event?

Pets are welcome at the hotel itself, however inside MAGWest major event function areas (such as the Main Stage, Marketplace, and Panel rooms, only service animals that meet the ADA definition are permitted. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Emotional support animals are not permitted in our major event spaces.

What if I become overwhelmed?

We get it. Crowds and new sensory inputs can become overwhelming sometimes. If you are unable to access a quiet space to ground yourself, you are welcome to come to the Accessibility Desk upstairs in the Silicon Valley Room and join us in our secluded space with grounding activities and friendly faces. 

Can I bring my cane? What about a stool?

Yes. Both standard and folding seat canes are permitted in all areas of MAGWest. Portable stools are also permitted, but please be mindful of where you place them so that they do not obstruct others, and be willing to move them if you are asked to. 

Do you provide mobility aids at the event?

We offer a limited number of canes, stool canes, and collapsible stools for use by anyone with a badge. Just come to the Accessibility Desk, see what we have in stock, sign it out, and return it when you’re finished with it for the next person to use! 

Do you provide interpreting services?

We do not yet have the capacity to offer interpreting services, but please let us know at accessibility@magwest.org if you require it, or can offer it, and in what language! Both spoken languages and signed languages are welcome for request, even if we cannot currently fulfill them. At the least, this will help us prepare for future events.

Can you help accommodate any specific needs not listed here? 

We aim to help accommodate as many people as possible. Resources may be limited, depending on the nature of your individual needs. We ask for your patience and understanding throughout the process. It is best practice to have alternate plans in place should we be unable to meet your request. Our goal is to help as many people as we possibly can! 

I have never made requests for accommodations before, how do I do it?

Great question! If you know what specific accommodation would help you, please make that request directly. Otherwise, just describe briefly what you wish to have assistance with– you are not required to give us your diagnoses to receive accommodations.