DEF CON Hacking Conference

DEF CON Hackers With Disabilities HDA team

Last updated 7.3.24

The purpose of the Hackers With Disabilities (HDA) team is to make the DEF CON experience the best it can be for attendees with disabilities within the scope and ability of the DEF CON staff. Now in its 6th year HDA continues its mission to make DEF CON awesomely accessible.

All persons with disabilities regardless of the severity, visibility, permanence or any other factor of their disability are to be treated with dignity and respect as per the DEF CON code of conduct. Under no circumstances will harassment be tolerated. Please report any instances of harassment, ***** or other out of line behavior to the DEF CON info booth, any DEF CON Goon, or to the DEF CON helpline (+1 (725) 222-0934).

Each year the HDA team will make available an information kit that is available on line and in a downloadable format containing policies, maps, facility points of contact, and suggestions for attendees with accessibility needs. While we strive to make this complete and comprehensive please understand that with a convention of this size changes can and will be made constantly and the HDA team will do their best to keep attendees.

2024 - THE LVCC

Unlike previous years DEF CON is being held in the LVCC - Las Vegas Convention Center. Because of this there are many improvements for attendees with disabilities. There are far more accessibility services available that will make improvements to the DEF CON experience for attendees with disabilities. Along with these improvements there are new rules and restrictions. HDA is working with the LVCC staff to ensure this transition is easy and accommodating but we ask that you be kind to the changes at hand while we all adapt.

SAME AS IT EVER WAS

HDA has seen to the usual accommodations ensuring that attendees with disabilities enjoy the DEF CON experience.

• Attendees with disabilities may go to the front of any official DEF CON line for service. This includes registration, infobooth, merch and so on. They may ask for a Goon escort if they desire.
• Attendees with a personal assistant will make this known at registration and request HDA team assistance in getting their assistant registered.
• In the main presentation rooms there will be seats reserved in the front row for attendees with disabilities, marked with the HDA reserved marker.
• In the main presentation rooms there will be projected speech to text available.

NEW VENUE , NEW RULES

Medically required transportation devices are allowed in the convention area. While it is not required it will be useful for the attendee to have a copy of the medical documents signed by their doctor indicating the device is required.

Rental devices from outside sources are not allowed. All rentals will be handled by Scootaround through scootaround.com or 888-441-7575

The rate is $75 per day and you can pick up your scooter at the FedEx office in the West Hall. If you call ahead and ask, they can meet you at your uber or west hall entrance with your scooter.

Mother rooms will be available this year. They will be marked on the overall map.

SHARPS disposal will be available in all bathrooms.

Service animals are allowed, however there are no relief areas for them inside of the convention area.

HDA will continue to provide a social, meeting and chillout area in room 110 for attendees with disabilities.

GETTING THERE

There are many ways to get to the West Hall of the LVCC, and depending on disability some are better than others. Please look into each one and determine what will work best for you.

Monorail
Purchase tickets ahead of time at a discount at https://tix.lvmonorail.com/DEFCON24

Please review the monorail maps and ensure that you can transport from the monorail stops to the West Hall. The Loop
Visit https://lvloop.com/tickets to purchase tickets. Hours of operation will vary based upon event calendar at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The current schedule is always available at: https://lvloop.com/operating-hours

Attendees can access Vegas Loop at Las Vegas Convention Center via four stations:

• South Station – Adjacent to South Hall, this station is located aboveground
• Central Station – Near the Central Hall Main Entrance, this station is located belowground and is accessible via escalator or elevator
• West Station – Adjacent to West Hall, this station is located aboveground
• Riviera Station – At the North side of the West Hall closest to Elvis Presley Drive, with direct access to Resorts World. This station is located aboveground.

Shuttles
Shuttles are available from the Rio hotel to the LVCC. Schedules and locations TBD

Taxi , Uber, other surface transportation
Please see their local contact info.
Not all services are capable of handling all types of assistive devices. Call ahead and verify that your needs can be accommodated.

City Transportation
Paratransit is not reliable nor ready to accept all accessibility devices.
City buses are capable of handling most accessibility needs.
The nearest stops are on the 108 line, “NB Paradise after Convention Center” , Stop ID 4066 or NB “Paradise after Convention Center”, Stop ID: 4066