New Outside Descriptions at Walt Disney World!

My boyfriend and I are planning for a week-and-a-half trip to Orlando next year. There are three reasons. First, my bf hasn't been since 1989 and I haven't been since 1999 (I was there for the Millenium celebration, and his first visit in 1979 was a month after Walt Disney World first opened). Second, we both need a nice vacation, especially with the coming school year (both of us have been out of school for a while). Third, the National Federation of the Blind will have their annual convention in Orlando next year. Oh yea...there's a fourth reason, then: It will be WDW's 40th anniversary celebration year.

In light of all these reasons, we have been doing a lot of research on the accessibility of WDW based on our multiple needs. He has severe allergies to evergreens, so Fort Wilderness was out, and I have chronic pain and mobility impairment that will mean using a wheelchair part-time at the theme parks. These needs were easily met with the wonderful accessibility of Walt Disney World. However, we were not fully satisfied with the accessibility for blind people. Being both legaly blind, navigation and orientation would be important; I also need description to keep up with the visual cues on rides that I would otherwise miss out on. Now we will be completely happy, as not nly does WDW have audio description of rides, they also have audio descriptions of outside areas! No more getting lost, I thought, as I read the article (see below). I'll let the article speak for itself, and I hope you will find as much pleasure in this new access at Disney World as my boyfriend and I will when we go next year.

If you have some vision- click on the link as there are graphics and
pictures showing what the device looks like and such.

Here's the text of this article:

Outdoor Audio Description Technology for Guests with Disabilities
Beginning on June 27, guests with visual disabilities will be able to
explore Walt Disney World theme parks in a whole new way. Using a
Disney-designed Assistive Technology Device guests will now be able to
explore the parks accompanied with an audio description of all the sights.
This easy-to-use device is obtained at any theme park guest relations
window. It is offered at no cost with a refundable deposit. It comes with a
headset and strap so you can hang it around your neck. Disney conducted a
number of focus groups with organizations for the blind to help them create
an easy to understand machine that can be mastered in a few minutes.

I spent an hour today with an Assistive Technology Device (ATD) at Disney's
Hollywood Studios. As I walked from area to area, the ATD would come alive
and vibrate as I passed hidden sensors. Then it would provide me with a
fairly accurate description of my location. For example, it would announce,
"You are on Pixar Place near the restrooms" or "You are in Animation
Courtyard between Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Playhouse Disney." If at
any time I needed a reminder of where I was at, I could push a button and
the ATD would repeat the last announced location.

Another button provided me with a general description of my surroundings.
When the recording finished, I was given the option to hear more information
in six categories. These were (1) a more detailed description of the area,
(2) nearby attractions (3) nearby restrooms, (4) nearby restaurants, (5)
entertainment, and (6) shopping. From these, I could drill down for even
more detailed information.

Another automatic feature of the ATD is Attraction Descriptions. When I
boarded Toy Story Mania, the ATD started automatically and provided me with
a detailed commentary of all the sights along the way. I never had to push
any button.

To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, I've included a short audio
clip from the Haunted Mansion. The first voice you hear is that of the Ghost
Host. Following our disembodied spirit is the ATD voice describing a few of
the sights.

The ATD can also be used by the hearing impaired. Although I did not get to
try this feature, I was told it works in all attractions and the ride or
show's dialog is automatically displayed on the screen.

I spoke with Bob Minnick, Manager - Facility Safety and Accessibility. I
asked him if the ATD could be easily updated as things are constantly
changing at WDW. He told me that Disney partnered with WGBH Boston in the
development of this device. I was assured that all Disney needed to do was
provide a new script to WGBH and an updated recording could be made an
uploaded in very little time. When I asked if these devices would be
available at the resorts, Bob told me that Disney's objective at the moment
is to bring Disneyland online with the ATD. After that, they will assess the
demand and need for further expansion.

Disney has patented and licensed this new technology and is eager to make it
available beyond the theme parks. To that end, it's already being used at
the Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta, The Hall at Patriot Place, and the Dallas
Cowboys Stadium.

Walt wanted Disneyland to be enjoyed by everyone. Through the years, his
company has strived to bring magic to all. Here are a few examples of how
the Imagineers are constantly looking for ways to improve the guest
experience.

In making a drinking fountain wheelchair accessible, it also makes them "kid
friendly." And Braille maps can be found in all four theme parks.

All Walt Disney World transportation is wheelchair accessible - all buses
have hydraulic lifts and the docks all "float" so they are always level with
the watercraft. The buses also have closed captioning, announcing
destinations and other pertinent information.

A number of guest rooms are available with height appropriate vanities and
easy access tubs and showers. Text telephones are obtainable for the deaf.

Swimming pools have sloped entrances so that aquatic wheelchairs can easily
roll into the water. This shallow area also provides toddlers with an area
to splash with safety.

At the golf courses, specially designed carts are available to allow just
about anyone the ability to play a round.

At Blizzard Beach, a special gondola can accommodate a wheelchair for a ride
to the top of Mount Gushmore.

Special viewing areas have been set aside on a first come, first served
basis along the parade routes. Even the Grand Marshal vehicles can
accommodate a wheelchair so just about anyone can be included in the
festivities.

Disney is always looking for new ways to retrofit older attractions. A
special Jungle Cruise boat was updated with a lift for wheelchairs. And
newer attractions are also getting into the act. Since loading and unloading
can take longer in these cases, Toy Story Mania was designed with an
auxiliary loading area so folks can take all the time they need to get
situated.

Many of the live shows offer sign language interpreters. These are presented
on certain days and at certain hours. You need to check with Guest Relations
for exact days and times.

I have to admit, when I attended today's press event, my eyes became a
little misty when I saw all that Disney is doing to bring the magic to
everyone. I take so many things for granted and I was moved that Disney does
not. They strive to include everyone they can.

For more information about touring the parks with special needs, check out
the AllEars.Net section for guests with special needs
as well as Disney's webpage: WALT DISNEY WORLD GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES

Posted by Jack Spence on June 23, 2010 5:00 AM

A Unique Resource For the Blind of the World

The National Federation of the Blind says it best when they call the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind a “unique resource for the blind of the world.” This center, located at the National Center for the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland reviews technology, both products created specifically for the blind and products created for the mainstream market but which is accessible in one form or another, sometimes completely accessible, either through intentional universal design or by chance (such as the iPod Shuffle, a media mp3 player that is accessible because it has no screen, though the design was intended for people who are doing active exercise and cannot pause to look at a screen. The latest version of the iPod Shuffle, the iPod Shuffle 8.0 is even more accessible, as it has a Voiceover that tells the user the title and author of the song and has a folder feature.)

The staff at the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind evaluates, demonstrate, and train people in the use of the products they have. If you are able to visit the center, as I did on May 17, they can demonstrate the products in person. While there, I learned about various note takers, testing weights and ease of use. Because of my quickness to fatigue and pain, a note taker that is easy on my body and not too heavy is very important for me. However, I had very little access to the variety of note takers that are available on the market today. Before visiting the technology center, I had only seen three: the BraillePlus, the PacMate, and the BrailleNote, and had not had the chance to test any of them, as they are essential parts of the owners’ lives. So, when I was given the opportunity to visit the National Center for the Blind with a group from my state, I was overjoyed, knowing I would get to see many different note takers and test them. I was in for a surprise!

The technology center tries to have one of every product available that is accessible to the blind in some fashion….that includes two long tables full of note takers and similar electronic interfaces, dozens of ways to print, type, and read Braille, and hundreds of products for reading, writing, and daily living. I had limited time, so I concentrated my time on the note takers there, and had no chance to see the rest.

However, I still have the chance to learn about the other products, as do the millions of blind people who cannot go to the center in person because of distance, finances, or any other reason. The staff can also consult with blind people, professionals, or family members via phone. Some of the questions they get asked often, according to the NFB’s website include:

What do I need to get a blind person on-line and connected to the Internet?
How can I make my website accessible to the blind?
What electronic note taker is “best” for a person who is blind?

The website says they welcome questions, and the staff I spoke to in person was very welcoming and friendly, as well as knowledgeable and helpful. The Center is located at 200 East Wells Street at the Jernigan Place in Baltimore, Maryland. Their phone number is (410) 659-9314, x5. Further, they can be reached via fax at (410) 685-565, or via e-mail at access@nfb.org. For more information about the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind, visit the NFB's site for the Center.