Inclusivity is a common theme for Comic Conventions across the United States.
They aim to provide a space for individuals with similar interests, whether it be cosplay, comic books, their favorite animated show or movies and much more. They welcome everyone, no matter their knowledge or experience with conventions of the sort.
Carrie Eutizi, the PR Manager
for Tucson Comic-Con
Carrie Eutizi, the PR Manager for Tucson Comic-Con, takes inclusivity a step further. She and her husband, Mike, have taken additional steps to make sure the environment is suitable for everyone, including people with disabilities.
“The geek community and the disability community is an overlapping venn diagram a lot of times,” Carrie said. “We really want to make sure we’re taking care of our guests. What that means for us is making sure everything does have [Americans with Disabilities Act] compliant access as much as the convention center can.”
Since taking over as organizers of Tucson Comic-Con in 2021, Carrie and Mike have looked for opportunities to improve the convention on a yearly basis. That includes making it more accessible.
Having attended other conventions in Phoenix and surrounding states, they’ve managed to gather new information and ideas that they have implemented with their own convention in Tucson.
They constantly comb through the exhibit halls, making sure there is adequate space in aisles for chair users. This year, they implemented the use of sign language interpreters, which has been a request from consumers over the years.
Carrie and Mike also set up rooms in their family activity center, which was located just off the main hallway of the Tucson Convention Center, where Comic-Con is held. One room is reserved for families with various family-friendly attractions, including Legos, backyard games such as corn hole, coloring books and free toys.
The room also featured two separate curtained-off areas for individuals who wish to pray, parents who wish to breastfeed and a changing area. Another room was a playroom for toddlers and younger children. It featured books, block sets and stuffed animals.
One of the many ideas Carrie and Mike had to better serve people with disabilities was to create a room sensory room. Conventions can be crowded and overstimulating. That’s why they created a quiet place for people to step away from the overstimulation and decompress. For exhibitors with the same disability, they placed them close to exit doors so they can step away if needed in a timely manner.
“We know we have people who maybe need to decompress from the convention because conventions can be overwhelming for a lot of people who are neurodivergent,” Carrie said. “We have spaces that we have specifically created to be accommodating for them.”
Accessibility at conventions is crucial to ensure everyone in attendance can fully benefit from the event. Conventions such as Comic-Con allow vendors and attendees alike to bond over similar interests. It creates a community, one that some may not have in everyday life. Especially to that extent.
For people with disabilities, attending conventions with large crowds may come with challenges. But having adequate accessibility ensures everyone has equal opportunities to participate, explore and contribute to the convention.
Sterling Silverman takes pride in attending Tucson Comic-Con alongside her fellow Tucson Steampunk Society members.
“My biggest goal is to advocate and make conventions better for people with disabilities,” Sterling said.
Aside from her role as a Victorian Sci-fi professional cosplayer, Sterling desires to raise awareness about accessibility – or the lack thereof – at conventions.
That mission began at the Wild West Steampunk Convention. The event was held at a hotel, which did not have an adequate ramp system, she said. Her father was there to help her maneuver through the crowd, but she sought assistance from a volunteer instead.
Asking for help opened her eyes to the lack of people with disabilities who ask for assistance at conventions. She said many feel hesitant to ask for accommodations.
So, Sterling began working directly with conventions. Sterling ensures tables and booths are spaced appropriately for chair users, enabling smoother navigation and accessibility during events. She also suggests ramp placements at stages, along with making sure the convention as a whole is accessible.
“One of the biggest things is to ask for feedback from people who are in the disability community,” said Sterling, who is part of the advocacy team for Wild West Steampunk Convention. “If you’re able to talk to somebody who is disabled, you’ll be able to understand what you need to do to adapt and make it available for everybody.”
The accessibility of conventions is often overlooked by those who do not have a disability. Sterling said one of the biggest challenges comes from the convention crowds. However, she admits there isn’t much organizers can do about that.
Practicing spatial awareness can help ensure conventions remain welcoming and inclusive. Sterling has often encountered challenges with attendees inadvertently bumping into chair users, highlighting the need for mindfulness in crowded spaces.
Gabbriel Pangilinan admits he didn’t think much of accessibility for people with disabilities two years ago. Now, however, after two years of needing mobility assistance, it’s something he notices.
“Tucson is somewhat accommodating,” Gabbriel said. “This year they made an entrance just for us and the elevators are accessible. The only thing I would complain about is that it’s a little tight for scooters or wheelchairs but it’s not impossible.”
Sterling and Gabbriel shared many of the same sentiments of Tucson Comic-Con. The convention does well in many areas in terms of accessibility. While the Tucson Convention Center has made strides toward accessibility, certain features, like automated doors and more spacious layouts, could further improve the experience for attendees who require mobility assistance.
Both Sterling and Gabbriel praised Tucson Comic-Con’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility, while offering constructive feedback for future improvements.
Carrie emphasized that inclusivity remains a top priority, saying, “Our motto is, ‘Pop culture for all,’ and we truly mean it. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome.”
