Accessibility Policy

Otakuthon wants to provide an equal experience to all of its attendees, including people who need accessibility services. We are committed to giving everyone who needs accessibility services the opportunity to enjoy the convention in the same way as all other participants. Below you may find the accessibility policy, which includes all people with a disability whether invisible or visible, temporary or permanent.

Accessibility sticker

Otakuthon will offer an accessibility sticker that will allow for accommodations during the convention. Accessibility stickers can only be obtained at the accessibility desk near registration. They are affixed directly to the participant’s badge to indicate to staff that they are entitled to the accommodations provided in this policy.

Eligibility conditions for the accessibility sticker

In order to obtain the accessibility sticker, the participant must provide one of the following:

*Note: It is not necessary to have the list of diagnosis(es) on the doctor's letter, only the requested accommodations are required.

Companion

Otakuthon offers the possibility of having a free guide when they present one of the following:

Queue for registration

A designated queue for people with disabilities (visible or invisible) is available at registration. Although it is advertised for people with reduced mobility, it is open to all people needing special assistance throughout the convention for health reasons.

Early access to seated events

Not all participants have the ability to stand for long periods. Many of our queues may be long sometimes and feel even longer for people with reduced mobility. Therefore, this accommodation is available to all attendees with an accessibility sticker who cannot stand for long periods.

Early access to seated events will be available when a queue is present before entering a room. This could be a concert, viewing or panel venue. To be fair to all, early access is not available for autograph sessions. A maximum of one (1) designated companion may follow the person with the accessibility sticker. If the event requires a specific ticket (whether paid or free), the disabled person must have a valid ticket to access the room. The accompanying person will have free access to the room, thanks to a courtesy ticket that they may obtain from customer service. Early access will be available for a maximum of ten (10) minutes before the start of general admission.

If early access is not available, chairs may be offered to participants waiting in line if they cannot stand for extended periods. Alternatively, participants can ask their companion to wait in line for them as their proxy. Only people with an accessibility sticker can have a proxy wait in line for them.

Priority access to elevators

To facilitate mobility, Otakuthon is asking for everyone’s cooperation to give priority to people with an accessibility sticker for elevators. This allows people with reduced mobility who cannot use escalators to be able to move safely between different floors.

Assistance Dog

Although pets are prohibited, assistance dogs are welcome at the convention. The handler of the assistance dog is responsible for their dog at all times. An assistance dog is defined according to the Commission on Human Rights and Youth Rights (CDPDJ) as a dog that has received specific training by a training organization to compensate for the disability of its beneficiary by carrying out tasks. A dog whose primary function is to provide emotional support is not recognized as an assistance dog and is therefore not permitted access to the convention.

If the animal disrupts the convention or behaves in an unacceptable manner without its owner intervening, Otakuthon reserves the right to request that the animal be removed from the premises. The assistance dog must not bark repeatedly, must listen to its owner and must be clean. He must not wander freely around the convention grounds or disturb other participants. The assistance dog must be kept on a leash at all times.

The assistance dog must be easily recognizable by wearing a vest or harness indicating that it is an assistance dog. The handler must keep the training certificate (letter or identity card) with them at all times. This may be requested by a member of staff to verify that the dog is indeed an assistance dog.

A cosplay can be worn by the assistance dog as long as it remains identifiable as such.

Accessible toilets

Otakuthon asks for everyone’s cooperation to give priority to people with reduced mobility for accessible toilets. This allows people with reduced mobility, who cannot use a regular-sized toilet, to use toilets adapted for them.

The Palais des congrès de Montréal has accessible toilets in all washroom areas.

For any questions, please contact the Accessibility Department at: accessibility@otakuthon.com.