Discuss tips and coping mechanisms that can make your con experiences more accessible when you have illnesses or disabilities.
There is much judgment in the cosplay community. we always hear about judgement against race, sex, accuracy/skill, gender, etc. and awareness for it, but we never hear anything about judgement against disabilities or awareness for that.
Back in 2015, I decided to do something about that. As a disabled cosplayer myself, I know how hard it can be to feel like you don't fit in or aren't good enough to be a great cosplayer. The purpose of this panel is to inspire other cosplayers and con attendees that may have illnesses or disabilities, that they can still be great in the community. I will share my story as well as cover all different types of illnesses/disabilities, provide tips and coping mechanisms that I have learned over the years, talk about how others can make their con experiences more accessible, and allow others to share their stories as well. This panel is to let others know that they are not alone. It has had great success and done so much good in the past.
Most people that attend this panel thank me profusely at the end for hosting a safe space for cosplayers like them, and that it was the best panel they had ever attended. In fact, because of my panel that I hosted at Animazement 2015, and a staff member (who happened to be disabled himself) listened, they started an entirely new department for the con called "Accessibility Services," which they had never had before in their 18 running years. It was a major success in Animazement 2016, and they came up with so much to help to many in just one year. Now for Animazement 2017, the 20th anniversary of the con, I will be on staff for that department that I helped create.
This panel is very important to me and to so many others, and I cherish ever opportunity I get to host it.
