Disability Services

Our Disability Services Department provides a range of accommodations to ensure our events are as accessible as possible. For detailed information about the specific services we offer, please review the remainder of this page. If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions on how we can enhance your experience, feel free to contact us at contact@ncanthrosociety.org.

​

Registration

If you need assistance or accommodations during the duration of the event please complete the optional accommodations field druing the online registration process. While optional, we appreciate you taking the time to fill in any details you are comfortable sharing to help our department better prepare for the event. In particular, we suggest notifying us if:

 

● You would need assistance evacuating from the hotel in a situation where the elevators are non functioning or otherwise unavailable.

● You plan to have a service animal on site.

● You have any mobility, physical, hearing, cognitive, psychological, or other type of disability that may not be visible AND would like to receive an ADA sticker on your badge to indicate to our staff members that you may need assistance.

​

If you receive an ADA sticker, please note that they are for the use of one individual only. They cannot be redistributed, resold, or reallocated. Failure to comply may result in termination of your membership and the inability to attend future events.

​

​

Seating

We are pleased to offer dedicated seating in our event rooms for members with disabilities. These seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and while we strive to accommodate everyone, seating cannot be guaranteed. To ensure the best possible experience, we encourage members with disabilities to arrive early.

​

Additionally, seating areas will be provided in waiting areas (lines) for events and panels to enhance accessibility and comfort for members with disabitlies.

​

Seating for our department will be indicated by signage posted on or near the seating area, or can be located by asking a member of staff.

​

​

Quiet Room

Carolina Furfare provides a quiet room / low stimulation room at our event. The Quiet Room is a calm and welcoming space designed for attendees who need a moment to relax, recharge, or stepaway from the event's busy atmosphere. Whether you need to decompress or simply enjoy a quiet break, the Quiet Room is here to support your well-being throughout the event.

 

​

Service Animals

Bewhiskered recognizes service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilies Act (ADA) and North Carolina State Statutes (Chapter 168).

 

Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The work or task an animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. It is unlawful to disguise an animal as a service animal or service animal in training.

 

A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

 

Handlers of service animals may be asked to leave the premises if (1) the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the animal is not housebroken. North Carolina State Statutes require that an animal in training to become a service animal may be taken into any places that a service animal be allowed for the purpose of training when the animal is accompanied by a person who is training the service animal and the animal wears a collar and leash, harness, or cape that identifies the animal as a service animal in training.

 

All service animals handlers are asked to familiarize themselves with local laws regarding required vaccinations for animals.