Thanks to DC Disability Services Staff, You Rock!

[cheriedcds.livejournal.com]

I want to thank my staff, who as usual, gave WAAAY over their required hours so that the few of us could cover the humongousness that is DragonCon.  You all rock. 

Registration on Thursday started out rough, but once the new system got worked out, everything went so smoothly!  My registration crew is the bestest evar. 

For our consumers, If you voiced a concern either here or to us directly during Con, we have it and are working on several different things to address your issues.  Some of the issues raised require coordination among departments, and those may take longer.  Please know we are working to address every issue.

Thank you
cherie
Cherie Wren
Disability Services

Comments

[freak-thankyou.livejournal.com]

I've been to this con for many years (mostly as a kid with little to no issues) and the past three years consecutively. I only used disability services this year and I am converted. I tend to minimize the effect of my hearing loss, but it was really fantastic to actually be able to understand 97% percent of everything said versus maybe 50% with electronic sound, background noise, street noise, and any talking around me. I know you guys were really busy and sometimes had to deal with impatient/angry folks, but you guys were great and the help the accommodations provided was really fantastic.

My only issue with anything even remotely disability services related was that I had problems at some midsize panels (~200) with accommodations. The first day or two I was mostly at these types of panels and was incredibly frustrated at my inability to hear in the back or get a seat in the closer to the front/near a speaker despite my 50' proximity sticker. At one I was told that they couldn't do anything for me since the only open seats were in the back but I could sit there just fine. I did since there didn't seem to be any way to get a closer seat other than essentially interrupting the panel, which had started by then, to look for a seat closer, but was unable to understand much, which was upsetting since it was a panel with one of my favorite people who does great panels. At the panels where I did get accommodations, though, they were really invaluable and I am so grateful that a framework for that exists.

[cheriedcds.livejournal.com]

Yeah, unfortunately, you have to get there before things start to be able to get people moved out of seats so you can get where you need to be. Once things start, they cannot start rearranging things. We tell everyone who comes thru disability services "Please note: we will NOT hold designated seats and we will NOT kick people out so you can come in late. You MUST be there when the line starts moving into the room. For the smaller track rooms, show your sticker to room staff, they should assist you to a seat as close as they can get you. Please realize that if you are arriving “on time” to a room already full that they may not be able to boot people out of seats for you. You are responsible for arriving early enough to avoid this." If you are arriving before teh panel starts, you should be able to show your sticker to room staff, and they should move people, if necessary, to get you where you need to be. If they don't do that, I need to know. I send all the directors information before Con about it. If they are not doing what they need to do, I can address that.

cherie

[freak-thankyou.livejournal.com]

I figured with arriving just a few minutes before (unavoidable with traffic from my last panel) that I wouldn't have a lot of leeway. I would have preferred that the staff be able to articulately tell me what you said instead of coming off a bit rude and uncooperative, though I understand the limitations they have and that accommodations doesn't mean I get any super special priveleges, just things that make me able to enjoy the panel as anyone else normally can. Overall, I'm really thankful for the whole thing and don't have a single bad word to say about disability services itself.

[paidiraiompair.livejournal.com]

the elevators, the elevators....

oh, did I mention the elevators. I use to be an operator for the elevators and the huge America's Mart for their big shows and there really is a way to make them better. I've been tagged before about telling them how we do it, but there's no follow through.

so yeah, the elevators.

[shivilowy.livejournal.com]

I had no problem I got to the panels on time and thank you for putting me in early.I have arthritus and not having to stand for a long time was great.

[wynnegruffyd.livejournal.com]

90% of the time, myself (who is in a scooter), my husband (who wears hearing aids in both ears and has back issues from surgery), my daughters boyfriend (who was in a wheelchair due to a jet ski accident) and another friend who was with us and walks with a cane, we did not have any problems with disability services at DragonCon this year. It was fantastic to have the seats available outside of the venues for those who can't stand and as a congregating point for those of us that have a disability. It was nice to be able to get in before the crowd and actually get situated before the doors were opened. I have voiced my dissatisfaction with one individual volunteer and the way she talks to people and yells at others as well as blatantly disregards stickers on badges. She does this each year and frankly I'm surprised she is still allowed to seat people within the halls when I've heard from numerous people of the run-ins they have had with her. Other than that, I would not be able to enjoy DCon without Disability Services. Prior to getting my scooter and knowing I can get the handicap sticker, I never was able to stand in line and wait for panels. Thank you for all that you do and for your kind and considerate staffers.

Only thing I suggest is the return of the handicap accessible van to ferry people to the Sheraton and Westin. I remember at least one year having a phone number to call when we needed to be ferried somewhere. It might be a bit of a wait but in the long run, it allowed us to get to other hotels without too much pain. I can fairly easily get there in my scooter but my husband and my friend with the cane cannot do the walking between the further out hotels.

[ronofthedead.livejournal.com]

I think ya'll did a first rate job. This was my first year using disability services and I am very pleased with the way things went.Having a seat to wait in instead of standing made all the difference in the world.

[alexdelarge78.livejournal.com]

Absolute respect- we went to pre reg and observed the crazy line that was not at that time wrapped around the building.. and this time I noticed double and even triple the staff there- volunteers and all. I found out later that they actually started early. A vast improvement all around from last year. Thank you all so much for giving that time to make our con what it was.

Respect.

[ladytalker13.livejournal.com]

It was also my first time using your services and I just want to add my big damn thanks to all you hard-working, dedicated folks who help make the con accessible and enjoyable to all. Last year, standing in the registration line meant 3 days of back pain for me, and lots of missed panels. This year, I still had to pace myself, but the pain was greatly reduced and we had a fantastic time. You are SO appreciated!!!