Accessibility

BSFS and Balticon are committed to being an inclusive event and will seek to provide accommodation for people with disabilities. Please let us know if you need specialized equipment or services by emailing accessibility@balticon.org or filling out the form below. Please contact us as soon as possible, preferably at least 6 weeks before the convention. The earlier we are approached, the more likely we will be able to provide assistance.

We recognize not all disabilities are visible. We will not ask unnecessary questions about the nature of a disability.

​

Visitors:

If you are a visitor with a disability, the MTA will be happy to assist you use the MobilityLink service for up to 21 days each year. Simply fax us your eligibility determination letter from your service provider to 410-764-8509. We need to know your name, and when you want to travel and how we should send you information confirming your eligibility for Mobility. It may take up to 3 days to process so please plan ahead.

​

If you have not been certified by another transit system and wish to use our service, please tell us what mobility device you use or provide a doctor’s note confirming a disability along with the information requested above.

​

​

​​​

Parking

Parking is available in many garages and commercial lots around the convention hotel. Balticon has secured a discount rate in the garage in the same building as the Renaissance Harborplace hotel, accessible through a shared elevator. Reserved parking can be purchased ahead of time through the https://www.premiumparking.com/ website.

More information about parking can be found here.

​

 

Getting around Balticon

Balticon is accessible by elevator, including exhibition spaces and all public facilities.

Floor 5 – Balticon Main Floor (Turn right after exiting elevator lobby to find registration.)

• Registration

• Dealer Room

• Artists' Alley

• Art Show

• Fan Tables

• Gaming

• Restaurant

• Autographs

• Science

• Artist Alley

 

Floor 6

• Quiet Lounge**

• Medical

• Video

• Music

• Readings

 

Floors 7 & 12

Children's programming

Workshops

 

All restrooms and water fountains are wheelchair accessible. Companion care restrooms are available on the first floor in the east and west wings opposite the escalators, and on the second floor in the east wing only.

 

**The Quiet Room is located on the 6th floor, Rm. 6xx, and is wheelchair accessible. This room is a space that is meant for attendees (and volunteers) to wind down. The room includes several cushioned chairs with arms, two tables, and electrical outlets to charge (attended) devices.

NOTE: Balticon is not responsible for any unattended or attended devices.

 

Manual wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis while visiting the Balticon. Attendees may ask for assistance from Balticon Volunteers at the Accessibility Center, located across from Registration.

​

Pre-seatings for high profile events

​Pre-seating availabilities are available for high profile events. If attendees with accessibility needs require a pre-seating confirmation, please contact the accessibility associate. (Each seat comes with a +1 seating, so the attendee may sit with a friend.)

​

Visitors who are deaf or have hearing loss

American Sign Language advocates are available upon request. This service is provided by xyz service.

 

Visitors who are blind or have low vision

Visual descriptions of select highlight objects are available on signage found near the Registration table. Some exhibitions offer more extensive visual descriptions that can also be accessed through QR codes in the gallery space. Tactile markers (bars) on the floor indicate the location of QR codes. Instructions for using QR codes are available on our website.

 

Docent-led visual description tours with sighted guide assistance and tactile elements are available upon request. Two weeks’ notice is preferred. Please call xxx-555-1234 or ask at the Accessibility table.

 

Visitors with cognitive disabilities

We need clarification if we need to offer these services.

 

Balticon pre-visit materials

We have a quick-tip guide to assist attendees with narratives, and visual schedules designed to help people with cognitive and sensory processing disabilities and their families to enjoy themselves at the con.

 

Sensory information

Light, noise, and crowds vary widely throughout the building.

Consider bringing noise reducing headphones.

 

If you would like more information, please contact our accessibility volunteers at our accessibility table.

 

For younger visitors and teenagers

Our children-based events are located on the 7th floor of the hotel and is geared toward children aged 6 and older. We offer multiple tactile experiences and limits its number of visitors to prevent overcrowding (though a wait for admission may be necessary). Resources to help you prepare for your visit are available here.