[tabi] Disney Unveils First-of-its-Kind Outdoor Audio Description Technology for Guests with Disabilities
- From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:44:11 -0400
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.htmlhttp://nc
amftp.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(r) 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/http://www.disneyworld.com/ or contact Walt
Disney
World Information at 407-824-4321 (voice) or 407-827-5141
(TTY).
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