DC 27 : DEF CON HDA : Hackers with Disabilities

[Delchi]

HDA ROUNDUP FOR DC27

We are off to a slow but steady start! Everywhere you looked you could see a scooter with a HDA flag flying! We have started talks with Deafcon to help them bring more services to the deaf and hard of hearing members of the community. I have started plans for a HDA party, and meetup for next year. All we need now is YOUR input!

What worked and what did not? What could be done better for ADA requirements? You can ask here, or contact me directly at delchi@delchi.net.

Spread the word, and I look forward to seeing you next year!

Thanks for the info and feedback!

We were supposed to get web space in the defocn web page and mention in the program but for some reason we did not. For now this forum area is all we have, but I am working on it.

What do you think we can do next year to make things easier for you ? I had HDA flags made for folks this year that let people know that a person might need an extra hand without making noise about it. Do you think that is a good idea, or do you think there are other solutions?

did you use any of the shuttle services ?

Thanks!

- D

[NoFullName]

I was mostly participating in #badgelife this year, so I didn't find the disability information until today. I wear a below-knee prosthesis and didn't use mobility aids this time. I went to a talk at the Biohacking Village on prosthetics, and the speaker was surprised to find so many of us amputees / people with limb differences at DEFCON. Because I am a little less agile on my feet, I am always nervous walking near mobility scooters (I've seen some wild drivers :) ). It would have been good to have know about shortcuts for lines, because I think standing is tougher for me than for the two-legged people. I did get completely knocked to the ground out on the strip in front of Planet Hollywood because some big guy decided to walk through me (he noticed I had fallen and kept going without apologizing; as far as I can tell he wasn't a DEFCON attendee). I got a hug and a sticker from a goon (Dozer?) who is an amputee because I congratulated him on doing crowd control with a prosthesis (I gave him a SAO). Most people don't notice that I use a prosthetic leg unless I mention it, so I'd have to make a big deal of asking for special treatment, which is awkward when I am traveling with others,

[Delchi]

HDA ROUNDUP FOR DC27

We are off to a slow but steady start! Everywhere you looked you could see a scooter with a HDA flag flying! We have started talks with Deafcon to help them bring more services to the deaf and hard of hearing members of the community. I have started plans for a HDA party, and meetup for next year. All we need now is YOUR input!

What worked and what did not? What could be done better for ADA requirements? You can ask here, or contact me directly at delchi@delchi.net.

Spread the word, and I look forward to seeing you next year!

[Delchi]

HDA folks! I have HDA schwag, but only a limited amount of it. I hope to see you there, and hand some out.

[Delchi]

IMPORTANT UPDATE TO THE FAQ :

- IF you are disabled, you can bypass linecon and use the line designated for STAFF to pick up your badge.

PLEASE don't abuse this and have 10,000 of your friends tag along :) We want to help the folks working badging as tehy do an amazing job with a HUGE overhead of work and stress.

Take your crutches, scooter, or other mobility assistance and get in the STAFF like , get your badge, and get on with the con!

- D

[Delchi]

It's gettign close to GO time! Are there any more questions / requests / thoughs to pass on before we all take over Vegas ?

One semi-serious word of caution - you may have heard about our bug problem! Keep thins in mind when traveling outside because bugs under wheels or canes can be slippery!

(( SQUISH ))

[Delchi]

DEFOCN 27 HDA FAQ

• What is HDA ?
  • HDA Is a team dedicated to bringing information to Hackers with DisAbilities. Our goal is to heep you informed, and give you the best information on getting around and enjoying DEFCON.
    We are discussing all things HDA in the DEFCON forums : https://forum.defcon.org/node/228111/

• Are the hotels and conventions areas accessible?
  • All hotels are accessible to ADA standards. If you have any questions, concerns or special needs contact the hotel directly. Hotel contact information can be found in the HDA infodrop at https://www.dropbox.com/s/z3016jar6c...DA-V2.zip?dl=0
• Are the speaking areas accessible ?
  • Yes! There will also be reserved spaces for attendees in scooters, wheelchairs, or with special needs at the front row of each speaking area.
• I can’t bring my equipment with me! Can I rent some ?
  • YES! The hotels cal assist you in renting accessability devices that can be picked up and dropped off on site. Contact the concierge desk at the hotel you are staying at. Contact numbers are in the data drop : https://www.dropbox.com/s/z3016jar6c...DA-V2.zip?dl=0
• Where can I charge my device ?
  • We have been told by out central contact for the convention space that you are free to charge your accessibility device wherever you see a wall outlet in the convention space.

[Delchi]

NEW DATA DROP : HDA V2

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z3016jar6c...DA-V2.zip?dl=0

NOW INCLUDES :

- Site maps for all hotels
- DEFCON maps for all hotels, by day ( Showing where evernts are by day )
- Maps to get between the hotels
- All HDA LOGOS designed by Eddie Mize , use them to cistomize your DEFCON experience!
- Spreadsheet of phone numbers and points fo contact for the hotels should you need any help

[Delchi]

As someone on wheels that attended the event last year, I thought the Goons did a great job of helping me get to events. However moving about between areas inside was very difficult and people were sometimes rude as I take up a little extra space with my chair. Being low to the ground also limited my ability to see what was in front of me so it was challenging. I will be there again this year and hope things go smooth. :)

Sorry ot hear that. I encountered a little of that as well, even though my scooter is a monster truck sized one. There are flags and other suck add-ons to your ride that you can get , like thiese : https://www.amazon.com/Trademark-Inn...ateway&sr=8-32

however you can easily customize them and make them you own! Also consider strapping on lights and augmenting your ride with Adafruit kits like POV systems to not only show your hack , but to let people know that you are there! This is a point of discussion with many folks on wheels.

As always - if you find yourself being treated poorly or need help ask ANY Goon for help, or any memeber of the hotel staff.

[Dark Tangent]

Did you have a visibility flag or anything flying to show your colors and get up into the sight line?

[ArcticTux]

As someone on wheels that attended the event last year, I thought the Goons did a great job of helping me get to events. However moving about between areas inside was very difficult and people were sometimes rude as I take up a little extra space with my chair. Being low to the ground also limited my ability to see what was in front of me so it was challenging. I will be there again this year and hope things go smooth. :)

[Delchi]

Are there any plans for a meetup? It would be cool to meet other disabled hackers in the community. Maybe something Thursday or Friday, so we can try to resolve any issues people have early in the conference.

I'm talking about that with some other folks who are asking for more chill chill out rooms, and merging with the folks who did the special needs hacking events last year. Stay tuned!

[Dark Tangent]

mrglass Maybe suggest or organize a meetup? Jump over to https://forum.defcon.org/node/227574 and propose something? Pick a day time and location like maybe a chillout location.

[mrglass]

Are there any plans for a meetup? It would be cool to meet other disabled hackers in the community. Maybe something Thursday or Friday, so we can try to resolve any issues people have early in the conference.

[Delchi]

It looks like it's not going to make the web site anytime soon , so I'll start with the tablet package next.

Anyone have any other questions or needs? I'm still listening.