Enhanced Handheld Device Makes Experiences for Guests with Disabilities Even More Mag

[Cheshire Figment]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., June 8, 2007 –Whether exploring the world’s most famous rivers on the Jungle Cruise or chasing down poachers while aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, a next generation handheld assistive device at Walt Disney World Resort is further enhancing the experience for guests with disabilities.

Designed by Disney engineers, the new device combines multiple functions into one small, easy-to-use platform. Services currently enabled include handheld captioning and closed captioning. By September, the devices also will provide amplified audio for assistive listening, and future plans call for the devices to provide descriptive audio for people who are blind or with low vision.

“We have a longstanding commitment to providing outstanding services to guests with disabilities,” said Greg Hale, chief safety officer and vice president of worldwide safety and accessibility. "When we couldn't find an 'off-the-shelf' solution, we developed our own technology to further enhance our guests’ experience.”

The handheld assistive device, which is about the size of a PDA, utilizes wireless technology to enable the device to know its location and take appropriate pre-programmed actions. Disney has patented and licensed the technology, which could serve a wide variety of retail, commercial and industrial applications.

“We are currently exploring opportunities to make this technology available in venues outside of our Disney Parks, where it could provide synchronized captioning, audio translations and other services in a wide variety of applications such as museums, movie theaters, tours and transportation,” added Hale. The new World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, for example, opened in May and uses the technology.

The device is available free of charge at all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks. For further information about services for guests with disabilities, Guests should visit the Walt Disney World Web site at disneyworld.com or contact Walt Disney World Information at 407-824-4321 (voice) or 407-827-5141 (TTY).

 

[Val]

We are here now (staying at Sarasota Springs)...this thing is not all its cracked up to be. My DD9 is hard of hearing, and we tried it yesterday, didn't today. It is heavy and clumsy- about 6 x 4 x 2, and it is rather big gto haul around one's neck, especially in hot weather. It works sporadically, and the text is behind or ahead of the speaker much of the time. It glows in the dark and people on the "dark' rides like Pirates told us to "turn off our light".....oh well, maybe the version in Sept will be better. Also - no captioning at the new comedy club show in MK. They tried to give us front row seating, but we didn't take it- front row doesn't help when lip reading monsters mouths- and given the number of wheelchairs. etc., it seemed unfair to take up critical space! I just translated the jokes (very, very corny but funny!).

Crowds are heavy, heavier than usual I think, people are surly, CMs are business like but not overly friendly, and it is HOT and MUGGY! We had a terrific rain storm yesterday-it was so wet on the bus to Epcot that we stood rather than sit (too many very wet people!) (note: This is NOT Disney's fault, unless someone there has better connections to the weather!).

We are having a grand time- taking it easy, swimming and not in commando. Had breakfast with the princess in the Castle this AM (good princesses, still the cholesterol special- I should have eaten the healthy meal). Are using the dining plan with no probs so far.....10 more days to go. Drivers seem to be handling all the carts and wheel chairs with dignity and grace, and we have seen no overt abuse of the GAC. The lifeguards hauled three dunked kids out of the pool this afternoon, so they are vigilant. In all, staff are great- just not Disney happy. This may be due to crowds and heat- and who can blame them. We will try and keep you posted as to our adaptive successes and failures.

 

[Talking Hands]

We are here now (staying at Sarasota Springs)...this thing is not all its cracked up to be. My DD9 is hard of hearing, and we tried it yesterday, didn't today. It is heavy and clumsy- about 6 x 4 x 2, and it is rather big gto haul around one's neck, especially in hot weather. It works sporadically, and the text is behind or ahead of the speaker much of the time. It glows in the dark and people on the "dark' rides like Pirates told us to "turn off our light".....oh well, maybe the version in Sept will be better. Also - no captioning at the new comedy club show in MK. They tried to give us front row seating, but we didn't take it- front row doesn't help when lip reading monsters mouths- and given the number of wheelchairs. etc., it seemed unfair to take up critical space! I just translated the jokes (very, very corny but funny!).

The new ones were availale in Epcot but not elsewhere earlier this year. Much less heavy. New Comedy Club Show is interpreted because it has no set script. It is improv. You can't caption improv without realtime captioning and that is not going to happen. Way beyond reasonale accommodation.