The Convention Experience for Those with Reduced Mobility/Disabilities; A Polite Note to the Able-Bodied
I am an able-bodied person; however, my mum is not. My mum is disabled, she has serious medical issues and reduced mobility, I am her carer; and our convention experience (as is everyone’s with reduced mobility and/or disabilites and their carers) is different to that of an able-bodied person. This post is to, hopefully, help able-bodied attendees understand the difference and why some of their actions may impact others.
Firstly, don’t judge based on looks; I know this is an obvious one but it’s an important one. Just because someone doesn’t ‘look’ ill doesn’t mean they aren’t; many mobility reducing and/or debilitating conditions are not visible conditions. Don’t presume you know more about someone’s physical health than they do.
Secondly, attendees with reduced mobility and/or disabilities are usually offered (by the staff) priority during autograph and photo sessions. This means that they will be allowed in first or will queue jump; this is so that they don’t have to stand and queue as that can cause a lot of pain (my mum cannot stand for more than a few minutes with feeling discomfort or pain) or exacerbate their condition. Trust me, my mum would gladly trade this experience for waiting in line for half an hour or more if it meant she wasn’t plagued with health issues.
Also, we always stay within the band of ticket we have bought. We are only jumped to the beginning of our pass group, we do not jump in front of people who have paid more for their pass: so please of not imply that someone is using their condition to have queue priority without paying for a higher pass.
Please do not tut, sigh or make a comment if a member of staff helps someone queue jump in front of you; they will probably hear you and that one moment of irritation for you could turn a good day, or good weekend, into a bad one for them. If someone is queue jumping there is a reason for it.
Thirdly, there usually is allocated seating, which is clearly marked out. This is not only for their comfort and convenience but in an emergency situation the staff knows where they are. If there is an emergency situation the staff can quickly and easily locate those who may need extra help.
Please never move, hide or discard the signs that indicate allocated seating for those with reduced mobility and/or disabilities. Even if the seats are not being used in that moment, and it would give you a better view, please sit somewhere else. It is not simply because we like having a good seat. It means that no matter what time during the day my mum has a place to sit. It means that they do not have to worry about rushing to find a seat, or standing in pain at the back of the hall. I know that it’s great to find a good seat, but taking one allocated for people with reduced mobility and/or disabilities means that someone who may need it could not only be in pain, but could be unaccounted for during an emergency situation.
As my mum’s carer I accompany her everywhere, meaning that I also queue jump and get an allocated seat. This is not just so my mum has company; I carry her medications, medical documents, water etc. I also know what to do in an emergency, I know when she’s in pain and I am there to help her with her mobility. People accompanying those with reduced mobility and/or disabilities are there for a reason.
Most of our convention experiences with various companies, their staff and attendees have been positive; we love these events. But we have has a few bad experiences too; whispers and comments about queue jumping, mean looks and once struggling to find a suitable seat in the main hall because a few people had moved and hidden the signs that indicated allocated seating or those with an accessibility pass.
The purpose of this post is to inform people about why those with reduced mobility and/or disabilities get this help and why it’s important to be aware of your own actions in relation to it.
Conventions are incredible experiences and I hope that this post helps make just one person’s experience just a little better, a little easier, because others are aware that not everyone’s experience is not the same as theirs. Be kind and remember that everyone deserves to enjoy the convention.