D23 Expo Accessibility Issues

[Talking Hands]

Lisa - There are two problems with your statement.

One is that Disney does not publish the schedule for the D-23 Expo in advance.

The other is that each session is presented only once.

Actually there is no problem with the statement because while we may not see the schedule, there are CM's that have access to the information prior to the event. I have done events where the schedule has not been announced prior to the event and depending on the time frame of the event 1 or 2 interpreters met me at the event and we went over the event schedule at that point and decided which I wanted interpreted and went on from there. But they have to be aware you are coming.
I have been doing this for more than 10 years now with WDW, Disney sponsored pin events and other outside companies and the key is requesting the accommodations when you register or when you know you will attending an event contacting the event coordinators prior to the event and requesting accommodations.
Unfortunately it isn't really realistic to expect every accommodation to be available at all events. And yes if you want front row you have to be early even if you have set things up before had.

 

[KPeveler]

Actually there is no problem with the statement because while we may not see the schedule, there are CM's that have access to the information prior to the event. I have done events where the schedule has not been announced prior to the event and depending on the time frame of the event 1 or 2 interpreters met me at the event and we went over the event schedule at that point and decided which I wanted interpreted and went on from there. But they have to be aware you are coming.
I have been doing this for more than 10 years now with WDW, Disney sponsored pin events and other outside companies and the key is requesting the accommodations when you register or when you know you will attending an event contacting the event coordinators prior to the event and requesting accommodations.
Unfortunately it isn't really realistic to expect every accommodation to be available at all events. And yes if you want front row you have to be early even if you have set things up before had.

We were also told the front row of the upstairs events were for press only, no exceptions.

Also, the events were close together, but the lines usually formed about 3-4 hours ahead of time. Yes, you have to be there early, but 4+ hours simply to be able to read lips is silly, especially since they already had that row reserved anyway.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

We were also told the front row of the upstairs events were for press only, no exceptions.

Also, the events were close together, but the lines usually formed about 3-4 hours ahead of time. Yes, you have to be there early, but 4+ hours simply to be able to read lips is silly, especially since they already had that row reserved anyway.

I had media credentials, and we were told, before hand at least, that there would be limited seats available for press in the Arena, but nothing reserved for the press in any of the other venues. Sounds like rules kept changing.

 

[TJMunk]

Some of the staff were Disney CMs, but they were on flexible deployment, so many of them were way outside their comfort zone. Mainly, I think what needed to happen was for everyone to be on the same page from the beginning. It seemed as if there was a general lack of awareness that their might be any challenges for anyone. Because of the crowds, it was challenging for people regardless of whether or not they had a disability and there was a general lack of planning for crowds and situations. Next time I think there needs to be education for all involved, CMs and non-CMs, so that everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

-TJ Munk