For many wheelchair and other mobility aid users, (along with individuals with service dogs, people who struggle with invisible disabilities, parents with strollers, etc.) Hot Topic stores simply aren't accessible, although many locations sport a general accessibility sticker on the outsides of them.

The layout of Hot Topic stores is not planned with accessibility in mind, as it is very congested and cramped. From personal experience, as a wheelchair user who has one of the smallest power chairs on the market, even in an empty store I am constantly finding myself getting caught on the displays, unable to turn around, or simply cannot access certain parts of the stores I have visited. This is sadly the case for the majority of the disabled community that I have had the pleasure of speaking with on this issue over the past few days, who all use various different mobility aids, a few of whom even struggle with the entrances to their local stores. Many able-bodied individuals have also expressed their concerns for us, and the problems that they have faced in store even as able-bodied individuals.

I have had a large quantity of employees both current and not of various different standings voice their own concerns in terms of accessibility; how it effects them and how they have seen it effect others. The consensus is that the store layouts lack adequate room, are very congested, and limit the amount of customers that can shop there comfortably or even at all.

With this petition we are asking that Hot Topic stores better plan their store layouts with accessibility in mind for all and really hunker down on providing more than barely the bare minimum in terms of accessibility. Things such as how the displays are placed/layed out, how the merchandise is placed, providing adequate walkway room for wheelchair users to better maneuver and be able to turn around, and not overstocking the floor are key points that we would like to establish as contributing problems.

Hot Topic is a store that alot of us really enjoy for their unique atmosphere and merchandise and we would love to feel more welcome!