[infoshare] Re: Fwd: Announcement: Walt Disney World Unveils New Outdoor Audio Description Produced by WGBH (fwd)
- From: Adam Linn <adamlinn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: infoshare@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:13:46 -0400
I vote for Epcot, you rascal!
On Jun 23, 2010, at 6:54 PM, gar@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Perhaps we should have our next infoshare meeting at one of the theme parks
> at Disney.
>
> g
>
>> Subject: Announcement: Walt Disney World Unveils New Outdoor Audio
>> Description
>> Produced by WGBH (fwd)
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:55:27 -0400
>> From: Mary Watkins <mary_watkins@xxxxxxxx>
>> To: dvsconsumers <dvsconsumers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Subject: Announcement: Walt Disney World Unveils New Outdoor Audio
>> Description
>> Produced by WGBH
>>
>> Disney Unveils First-of-its-Kind Outdoor Audio Description Technology for
>> Guests with Disabilities
>>
>> National Association of Professional Engineers Names Handheld
>> Assistive Technology Device "New Product of the Year"
>>
>> LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., June 22, 2010 - Beginning June 27, guests with
>> visual disabilities will be able to explore Walt Disney World theme parks in
>> a whole new way through an enhanced Disney-designed device that provides
>> detailed audio description of outdoor areas and fits in the palm of a
>> guest's hand.
>>
>> "Disney Parks have long been at the forefront of providing accessibility for
>> guests with disabilities," said Greg Hale, chief safety officer and vice
>> president of Worldwide Safety and Accessibility for Walt Disney Parks &
>> Resorts. "We are pleased to build on this legacy with new technology that
>> enables us to do something that has never been done before - provide rich
>> audio description in moving rides and outdoor environments."
>>
>> Link to a demo of the outdoor environment audio description:
>> http://ncamftp.wgbh.org/disneyareadx/MK_AreaDX_Demo_Short.html
>>
>> Via an interactive audio menu, the newly enhanced Assistive Technology
>> Device lets guests choose the type of information they would like to receive
>> about outdoor areas, from architectural elements to the location of the
>> nearest restroom. The 7.2-ounce device, which utilizes wireless technology
>> to pinpoint its location and take pre-programmed actions also offers guests
>> at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort:
>>
>>
>> * Detailed audio description of key visual elements, including action and
>> scenery, for more than 50 attractions;
>> * Amplified audio for most theater-type attractions for guests with mild
>> to moderate hearing loss;
>> * Handheld captioning that enables guests to read captions while enjoying
>> specific rides; and
>> * Activation of closed captioning in pre-show areas where television
>> displays narrate the upcoming experience.
>>
>>
>> "I know of no other public space in this country - or anywhere else for that
>> matter - that is as welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities as
>> Disney's theme parks," said Larry Goldberg, director of media access at WGBH
>> Boston, which is considered a pioneer in developing multimedia and new
>> technologies that make media accessible for the disabled. "With their
>> captioning systems for guests who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and now
>> outdoor environmental description for guests who are blind or visually
>> impaired, Walt Disney World is now more inclusive than ever. WGBH is proud
>> of our role in helping make this happen."
>>
>> WGBH teamed up with Disney to deliver outdoor audio description, marking the
>> latest collaboration between the two organizations, which began with the
>> installation of WGBH's Rear Window® Captioning system in Disney's
>> theater-based attractions in1996.
>>
>> Disney has patented and licensed the assistive technology, which could serve
>> a wide variety of retail, commercial and industrial applications. The
>> technology is already being used at the World of Coca Cola Museum, The Hall
>> at Patriot Place and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and will receive the
>> National Society of Professional Engineers 2010 "New Product Award" next
>> month.
>>
>> "We are particularly excited to make this technology available beyond Disney
>> Parks and extend accessibility where it was previously impractical," added
>> Hale. Softeq Development Corporation is licensed to make the technology
>> available beyond Disney Parks.
>>
>> Other examples of Disney Parks' services for guests with disabilities
>> include:
>>
>>
>> * Accessible Experiences - From vehicles at Toy Story Midway Mania! that
>> enable guests to remain in their wheelchair during the ride to American Sign
>> Language interpretation at live shows, the focus is on providing accessible
>> experiences.
>> * Recreation Devices - Specially designed vehicles, such as an adaptive
>> golf cart and sand and aquatic wheelchairs, enable guests to experience
>> leisure activities throughout the resort.
>> * Guide maps for Guests with Disabilities - Theme park-specific maps
>> provide an overview of services and facilities available for guests with
>> disabilities. Braille guidebooks are also available to assist guests during
>> their visit.
>> * Resort Access - Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort offer special
>> equipment and facilities for guests with disabilities such as phone text,
>> visual indicator door knocks and sloped-entry pools.
>>
>>
>> The Handheld Assistive Device is offered at no cost with a refundable
>> deposit at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort theme parks. Audio
>> description of outdoor areas will be available at Disneyland Resort next
>> year. For further information about services for guests with disabilities,
>> guests should visit the Walt Disney World Web site at disneyworld.com
>> <http://www.disneyworld.com/> or contact Walt Disney World Information at
>> 407-824-4321 (voice) or 407-827-5141 (TTY).
>>
>> *U.S. Patents 6,785,539 and 7,224,967 may apply.
>>
>> Media Contact: Zoraya Suarez, Walt Disney World Manager of Media Relations,
>> 407-828-3814.
>> WGBH Media Contact: Mary Watkins, mary_watkins@xxxxxxxx, 617-300-3700
>
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