As a disabled games reporter, I've only been able to attend one in-person event

When I first started my professional career as a disability reporter in September 2019, the gaming community was heavily investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion. And several months later, in March 2020, the world drastically pivoted to a remote infrastructure because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In what felt like an instant, everything became accessible for people like me, who are unable to frequently travel. From the overall cost, inability to offer remote alternatives, and the lack of connections from not attending physical events, in-person gaming events were typically a nonstarter for me before this. In 2020, I was finally able to attend game previews and even major events including the only virtual E3.

As pandemic restrictions started to be removed in 2022, and the industry gradually stopped supporting DEI efforts (information I've heard through those working diligently across companies), my ability to fully participate in events dramatically lessened back to the point it was at before the pandemic. While I was still offered invitations to previews and shows, I received little to no financial assistance from publications that had commissioned stories from me. And for a physically disabled individual, if I wanted to attend those events anyway, it meant spending thousands of dollars on accessible hotel rooms, nonstop flights, and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

In 2024, I applied to be a member of the press for Summer Game Fest, Geoff Keighley’s E3 alternative, and was approved. I spent two weeks looking for accessible airlines, hotels, taxi services, and even the quickest route to a nearby hospital for a potential worst-case scenario. After comparing prices for everything, I found the cheapest total available, which included not only my needs, but airfare, hotels, and a food budget for my caregivers. The grand total for a three-day event totaled approximately $7500.

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