Accessibility at Ropecon

We at Ropecon want to make sure that everyone interested in role-playing games can enjoy their time and the program at our event. Accessibility was one of the reasons we chose Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Center to be our new venue this year.

The convention area at the Conference Center of Messukeskus provides easy accessibility and suitable facilities for visitors with disabilities. The entrances and passages at the venue are wheelchair accessible, and accessible parking is available near entrances free of charge. Accessible toilets can be found on the 1st and 2nd floor of the Conference Center. Assistive listening devices are available at the Information Desk upon request for all meeting rooms used to hold lectures, panels and workshops. For more detailed information about the venue and its facilities, you can take a virtual tour of Messukeskus.

Naturally, caretakers and assistants can enter the convention free of charge. Although bringing pets into the convention area is prohibited, guide dogs and assistance dogs that are on duty are more than welcome to the event.

“Esteet nurin” – A mysterious larp that s designed on the previous day

  • Sign-up: 12 noon – 2 pm on Saturday
  • Workshop: 5 pm – 10 pm on Saturday
  • LARP time: 11 am – 2 pm on Sunday

This year there will be a mysterious LARP (live-action role-playing game) at Ropecon! The game will be designed on Saturday at the “Esteettömän larpin kirjoittaminen” (How to write an accessible larp) workshop directed by Milla Impola, and the finished game will be played on Sunday. The game is suitable for all players, even for those with special needs or who need assistance. Players without disabilities are also welcome to join the game. Both the workshop and the game itself are held mostly in Finnish, but we encourage anyone who is interested in joining the game to do so, regardless of their language abilities! Players from all backgrounds and languages are welcome and will be taken into consideration when designing the game.

To participate in this program, please sign up at the LARP Desk in advance on Saturday. When signing up, please mention what aspects should be taken into consideration when writing your character in order to ensure accessible participation for you. It is also recommended to participate in the workshop before the game to ensure the best possible experience.

Ropecon is always looking for more programs suitable for all audiences and targeted at special groups. In previous years, there have been for example LARPs organized for visitors with severe disabilities. The call for program for this year’s convention has already ended, but if you are interested in organizing accessible program for next year, please contact our head of program well in advance. Next year’s Ropecon will be held 18th – 30th of July 2017.

If you have any further requests or ideas on how to improve the accessibility of Ropecon and how to better take into consideration all kinds of visitors, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We at Ropecon are always willing to improve the convention experience for all our visitors.

Visitor Services
Mikko Hänninen
majoitus@ropecon.fi