Comic culture is rooted in heroes who overcome challenges, embrace differences, and often live on the fringes of society—something that resonates deeply with many in the disability community. New York Comic Con (NYCC) has a powerful pull for fans with disabilities, offering a world where beloved characters come alive and inclusion is part of the adventure.
Growing up with a disability in mainstream society, I was drawn to the “misfits” of the X-Men universe—the mutants. Their stories of alienation and marginalization made me feel seen in a way few others did. I dreamed of joining Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, whose motto, Mutatis Mutandis, translates to “with the necessary changes made” or “changing only what needs to be changed.” Over time, I came to realize that it wasn’t me or my disability that needed changing—it was the accessibility around me that needed transformation.
Fans with Disabilities Meetup at NYCC
I shared this story at NYCC during The Accessibility Alliance Meetup hosted by Inclusive Communication Services, where we gathered to discuss our favorite fandoms and accessibility at the con. ASL interpreters skillfully captured the enthusiasm of die-hard fans as they expressed their love for Marvel, Disney, Star Wars, and anime series. Alliance members showcased a self-published comic book, shared social media posts that simplified the Javits Center’s map, and exchanged strategies for navigating the bustling crowds.
Our conversations bounced between the importance of disability representation in entertainment and general accessibility at Comic Cons. We chatted about how wheelchair-user Professor X is depicted as a multifaceted character whose true power comes from his intellect, with his disability being just one aspect of his overall identity. Another Deaf fan highlighted Marvel’s growing Deaf representation with characters like Echo from Hawkeye and Makkari from The Eternals. Curious about other movies with Deaf actors and actresses? Check out this blog.
My favorite part of this disability-friendly meetup was watching the group exchange accessibility tips. A fan with autism shared that New York Comic Con added a Quiet Room in Javits 1A04-05, offering an escape from sensory overload. Another fan connected with a buddy to attend a panel on wheelchair cosplay. We also talked about where to pick up ADA stickers at the NYCC registration desk, which are available for anyone with mobility, physical, vision, hearing, cognitive, psychological, or any other type of disabilities that may not be visible.
Accessible Dungeons & Dragons
After the meetup, it was time for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)! Each day of the four-day convention, incredible blind Dungeon Masters (DMs) led unique campaigns. Inclusive Communication Services teamed up with passionate community providers to host live Accessible D&D sessions in the Side Quest space of Hall 1E. Audio description highlighted players’ expressions and reactions to every plot twist for blind and low vision gamers, while American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters animated each character, connecting Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing players. Live captioning support was also available at the table, ensuring accessibility for all.
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG) like D&D are most often played in virtual spaces by players with disabilities. Communities like Knights of the Braille on Discord offer a welcoming environment for blind, low-vision, and sighted game enthusiasts to connect and play online. But there’s something uniquely magical about gaming in person, especially in the post-pandemic era.
Inclusive Communication Services set out to create an in-person TTRPG space at New York Comic Con, uniting a diverse community where players of all abilities could dive into the adventure, connection, and creativity that tabletop games offer. To my knowledge, this was the first event of its kind in Comic Con history! It wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible accessibility providers and DMs who generously donated their time and skills, the support of New York Comic Con for endorsing this Side Quest, and the fans who showed up and absolutely slayed at D&D.
Sharing Inclusive Resources
Thanks to your support, our inclusive live gaming resources keep expanding! Our team printed 3D Braille dice using a free file from Dots RPG, which also offers accessible dice sets for sale. Our friends at Safe ‘N’ Clear provided clear-window masks, making it easier for gamers who rely on lip reading to engage fully while keeping crowd-conscious fans comfortable. We also met new friends from The Dungeons Alliance Inc., a charity and community of adventurers dedicated to building inclusive game spaces for everyone.
Drop us a comment if you have any recommended resources on accessibility in tabletop gaming or Comic Cons in general! To stay updated on more inclusive events and adventures, subscribe to our newsletter. Now, let’s wrap up with a few quotes from the Inclusive Community at New York Comic Con 2024!
“ICS not only provided essential services at the New York Comic Con, but created a welcoming space for gamers of all walks of life. I enjoyed quality audio description alongside other gamers with disabilities, and not only felt included but felt valued and part of a growing community. I would love to see similar spaces at more Comic Cons in the future.” – Thomas
“I’ve been attending Cons for over 10 years and I have to say NYCC 2024 created the best experience for me. The reason is due to the accessibility. This is the first time I’ve seen a Con offer a Disabled Meetup and it was amazing to meet other Disabled nerds. Then to provide accessibility tabletop games and D&D campaigns was amazing! Due to this experience, now I want to get into D&D! Inclusion is so important and many Cons leave us out. I’m glad that this year NYCC 2024 thought of inclusion and hope it continues.” – Lampra
“What an amazing addition to Comic Con! To have a place where people of all backgrounds can gather and experience the glorious pastime that is D&D! ICS truly lives up to its name and I’m eternally grateful to have had this experience!” – Andrew
One Response
Your review of Comic Con makes those of us who did not attend feel the inclusion you experienced! Wow. And, Safe’N’Clear was super-proud to provide clear-window masks, especially since we are in the season of cold, flu, COVID, and RSV. Mask protection should not create communication barriers! So glad that Comic Con was open and inviting to everyone.