Blindness

[Tammi67]

Hi all. Could you please tell me if Disney offers anything for people who suffer from blindness? We are traveling in December with an older adult who is rapidly losing her sight. TIA.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is not really that much, but we have links to what there is.

If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the thread list on this board, you will find some helpful links in post #3 of that thread. (Look for the green arrow in one of the left side columns, or there is a link to that thread in my signature).
One of the links at the top of post #3 of that thread goes to the Disney website's page about services they have for people with visual impairments. There are also links to the WDW Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities for each park.
Also in post #3, there are some links to some helpful past threads further down. One of the threads is about planning for a trip for a visually impaired 4 yr old, but has some information that would be helpful even for an older person. Another thread that may be helpful is about boarding rides (specifically those with moving walkways).

 

[Tammi67]

Oh, I didn't even think about the moving walkways being an issue. Thank you.

 

[mechurchlady]

Definitely get a GAC. Read about those in FAQs and some threads that have been posted.

If she has any vision left then she can use the GAC and talk to a CM who will let her sit at the front of a theater. If she needs to be where she can hear the program then a CM would seat her nearer to the speakers. With a GAC she would also get to enter a theater before other guest thus avoiding a trampling mob of people who might confuse her, knock her down or grab a seat before she can make her way to a seat. The same with the trains and monorails. At WDW they usually help blind guests so they do not get trampled by mobs. For parades it is best to find a good spot on a curb and have one person stake the spot out while others go on rides, buy food, or SHOP.

As an older adult she may have problems with stairs. She may have problems with stairs and even stepping off a curb because of her vision thus she might prefer avoiding those by using a GAC. She could use the GAC to make it easier for her to board rides since she probably will have a harder time getting into and out of ride vehicles.

There are services for the blind and partially blind like braille. There are also audio tapes available. If she is in poor health then definitely rent off site a wheelchair. Check out companion bathroom locations in case she needs help with something. My mom is in a wheelchair but does fine in regular bathrooms if there is a disabled stall.