[Blindtlk] Fwd: Announcement: Walt Disney World Unveils New Outdoor Audio Description Produced by WGBH

[David Andrews]

>From: Mary Watkins <mary_watkins at wgbh.org>
>
>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.html>http://ncamftp.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® 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).
>
>*U.S. Patents 6,785,539 and 7,224,967 may apply.
>
>Media Contact: Zoraya Suarez, Walt Disney World 
>Manager of Media Relations, 407-828-3814.
>WGBH Media Contact:  Mary Watkins, 
><mary_watkins at wgbh.htm>mary_watkins at wgbh.org, 617-300-3700
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>- Release Date: 06/23/10 01:36:00

         David Andrews and long white cane Harry, dandrews at visi.com
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