Visual Impairments--what Do You Enjoy Most!!

[chemteacher]

FIRST I AM NOT YELLING! JUST TRYING TO HELP THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE THAT MAY NEED IT. MY MOTHER HAS BEEN LEGALLY BLIND IN BOTH EYES FOR OVER FOUR YEARS (DUE TO DIABETIC RETINOPATHY). SHE ENJOYS WDW VERY MUCH AND HAS BEEN FIVE TIMES SINCE LOSING HER VISION. I WAS JUST WONDERING WHAT THOSE OF ONE WITH LIMITED VISION ENJOY AT THE WORLD?
THANKS, GINA

 

[SueM in MN]

bumping up for some replies.

 

[pwcarlson]

we have been visiting WDW with our dd hwo is not legally blind but does have problem with vision due RP. She has Usher's Syndrome with includes deafness, RP and no sense of balance. She was born with this but the RP was not diagnosed until she was 10 (she is now 19). She has days where the Florida sun off the white pavement is very difficult for her and then going into the darkness of the different areas made it harder for her to adjustto the dimmer light levels It was easier for her when she was younger to wear sunglasses.

For the most part getting around WDW is pretty easy. They have alot of indirect lights on the ground at night which made it easy for her to walk. This is especially true at Epcot.

If you need to get front and center at different things, shows etc just as a cast member. Some will send you to the wheelchair area but ask for different seats for clearer viewing.

As far as resorts, the only one we have found gave us difficulty was AKL. We went there to go to Boma's their buffet. Found the resort was very dark and very dim light levels. The dark wood floor was difficult to step on for her. We stayed away from a wood stairs with open treads as she could not see the steps. They do have an elevator that goes to the level we needed. Once we were seated the restaurant was very bright. I have heard other DISers comment on the light level was very low in the rooms especially in the bathrooms at AKL. I was told that it was kept low because of the animals outside.

Let me know if you have any other questions.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[MsDisney23]

I MYSELF UNDERSTAND DIABETIC RETINAOPTHY, AS I ALSO HAVE IT, I HAVE JUST HAD IN THE PAST TWO YEARS 19 EYE OPERATIONS DUE TO IT. I DO NOT FILTER SUNLIGHT, SO I DO HAVE A RX SUNGLASSES. ALSO BLIND IN ONE EYE, I USE AN EYECANE NOW ONLY AT NIGHT OR IN DARK PLACES. SOME OF THE LINES ARE DARK. ALSO BY USING THE EYE CANE, IT LET'S OTHERS KNOW THAT I HAVE A VISION PROBLEM. ALSO GO TO EACH PARK AND ASK FOR THE GUEST FOR DISABILITY PASS, THIS WILL ALLOW HER TO SIT UP CLOSE AT DIFFERENT EVENTS.

JUST SOME HELP FOR YOU. THERE IS AN OPERATION CALLED
"VITRECTOMY" I HAVE HAD TWO, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET SOME OF MY VISION RESTORED.

ALL MY BEST TO YOUR MOTHER.. XOXO

 

[figment27]

I am legally blind due to optic neuritis. The last time, 10 years ago, I visited WDW I had normal vision.
I use a special magnification program for computer use.
I am looking forward to all that WDW has to offer. I will be travelling with my husband and 19 y.o. son. I plan to get a GAP, and, hopefully, be seated up close in shows, and, also, on rides such as TOT that have special visual effects.
I do have some, but very little, remaining vision. I do not see things clearly or many colors but can determine what certain objects are up close.
I am not quite sure how a GAP works, but I hope the CM's are helpful.
Figment

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to the disABILITIES Board.
There is not a lot of information about touring WDW with visual disabilities. WDW does have braille guidebooks and audiotapes available for each park (there is a deposit that is refunded when the item is returned). We haven't really had reports of what DIS posters think of these, so I can't tell you.

The Guest Assistance Card (GAC) is just a way to give CMs some information about what you need. If you use a cane, you may not need a GAC, just one of your party to point out to the CM that you need assistance, since the cane should cue them in about what sort of assistance you need.
To request a GAC, go to Guest Services in any of the parks and explain your needs to the CM. GACs are usually good for your entire stay and you can use it for the person with a disability and up to 5 other members of their party. To use the GAC at attractions, just show it to the first CM you see. They may direct you further or just send you on in the line. Also show it to the CM at boarding (or for shows, the CM directing you to seats). For seating on rides like TOT, you shouldn't have a problem getting the front of the car seats by asking. Other rides I can think of where you would especially want the front seats would be:
Ellen's Energy Adventure in Epcot
Body Wars in Epcot
Star Tours in the Studio

For shows, you need to be aware that the wheelchair seating is often in the back, so don't just automatically follow the guests in wheelchairs. We have noticed that some CMs don't give a lot of guidance to people with visual disabilities when going into shows. For shows, there are usually several doors that open automatically when the show begins. If the CM doesn't tell you, ask which door is closest to the front row and which way you will go when you enter.
One mmore hint: For the American Adventure in Epcot, the regular entrance involves going up a very long set of steps or an escalator and then following a corridor around. The whole crowd of several thousand people are going up and trying to figure out where to go. If you want an easier (less confusing) way in, there is an elevator used to take guests with mobility problems up to the theater before the "crowd" comes up. Ask to go up in the elevator and you will be able to enter the theater a few minutes before the crowd hits.

 

[Talking Hands]

People with hearing and /or visual disabilities have to be willing to tell the castmembers of their needs. After all the disabilitiies are fairly invisible. Speak up for yourself. I frequently have to since I use a wheelchair and also need reflective captioning.

 

[figment27]

Sue,
Thanks for all the helpful, specific information. Especially regarding the American Theater. Every little hint and offer of advice makes for a smoother, and more enjoyable trip!!

Lisa,
My husband always says no one can ever accuse me of being "Shrinking Violet" so I do not think I will have difficulty voicing my needs.
I do agree that hearing/visual impairments are invisible impairments. Although, I have been trained to use a cane, I seldom use it. I do have enough vision to get around, and most always travel with someone. My mobility instructor says the cane is sometimes more to make others aware of the visual impairment than to assist the visually impaired individual.