[blparent] Disney World

Fri Sep 2 04:13:49 UTC 2011

Mary Jo,

I'm so glad you brought this up. While I know this will open up a can of
worms, and we will sadly never reach an agreement on this topic as a
collective, I think it's important to address.

I've never understood why, as a blind person, I can take, or in a few
cases, be forced, to accept preferential treatment such as skipping to
the beginning of a line.  As I always say, I just can't see, there's
nothing wrong with my legs.  Why am I deserving of such treatment just
because I happen to be disabled?  Which, by the way, is a term I hate.
I choose to use differently able as I can do all the same things as
sighted people, I just use different tools and methods at times.

And I'd like to note that Mary Jo didn't say purchasing the fast pass
for rides that any Disney guest can purchase is wrong, she only meant
the passes specific to those with disabilities allowing them to use
different entrances to rides and skipping to the front of lines is not a
good decision.  It would be nice for list participants to read posts
thoroughly and comment based on the context of a particular post.  This
point was not debated in her post, yet replies use this as a part of an
argument, which isn't fair since it was never stated as being wrong.

As we all make the, "It's a personal decision," argument, I will say
that for me, personally, I do not like feeling as though I'm "special"
or less capable and therefore must skip to the front of a line, or
whatever the issue is at hand.  Personally, I get sick and tired of
being treated differently just because I'm blind, or having people think
I'm amazing for doing everyday things, like standing and walking, just
as other people do.

This discussion addresses blindness only.  I wish people would
understand the context of such post and not pull out arguments that
bring other disabilities into the discussion.  Of course if a true
physical condition keeps you from doing something like standing for
extended periods, then you skip to the front of the line if it's an
option.  No one is against this.  Blindness, itself though, is no reason
to skip or take any preferential treatment.  And I don't believe
blindness makes us slower or less able to navigate including at a theme
park.

I was sighted for 22 years, so I know what it's like to have vision as
well.  Trust me, sighted people get just as confused and turned around
at theme parks.  There's usually not a huge difference in the time it
takes to navigate a space nonvisually from visually.  That we can't find
things as quickly seems a flimsy argument and just an excuse to cut in a
line with many other people who are just as eager to hop on a ride, and
who are just as tired from walking about and standing in lines.

Blindness is not a physical disability- we have nothing wrong
physically; we are not impeded by the inability to use our physical
being.  Blindness is just a sensory disability.

I struggle with low blood pressure, and there are days when I can barely
stand.  I understand the need to accept a seat, or a ride or not having
to stand for long because I may be weak or dizzy, but when my BP is
cooperating, I find no need to accept such treatment.

I have to live my life the best I can making decisions leading me
towards my goals and what brings me joy.  Every move I make can't be
determined by what others think or might think.  However, it's important
to me that we push to change the antiquated perceptions towards
blindness that exist in abundance.  I'm a capable woman with good travel
skills, competent in Braille and JAWS, which helped me to graduate
university with honors, and very little assistance with a DSO,
independently manage a home and family with my husband, who is also
blind, participate in various  activities in our community as well as
work, and yet I have random strangers see only my blindness, refusing to
look beyond their perceptions, accepting this as truth.  Whether we like
it or not, people do observe us and form opinions about blindness,
usually negative in nature.

It's not about judging or being condescending; it's about being as
capable and independent as we can as people who are also blind.  I argue
only my personal experience.  Having been sighted for 22 years, and only
blind for 8, I know first-hand how little difference there is in
accomplishing things when using proper tools and skills along with
adopting a positive mindset to help problem solve when necessary.  I'm a
totally blind person of average intelligence, so if I can do things, I'm
pretty sure the average blind person can as well.

Mary Jo's post is not a judgment on those who don't follow her actions;
she, and I, simply want us blind people to live up to our full potential
and realize we are the same as sighted people, we just can't see
visually.  A part of this is doing what we can to change ideas and
views.  We have a 70% unemployment rate among the blind; we are still
fighting to raise our children on our own; students have to fight to
learn Braille, and sadly only 10% of them are given this opportunity-
why is this?  Because we are still viewed as less capable, and many of
us cling to this perception too.  We not only have to demand equal
rights, we have to live as equals.  This means not taking preferential
treatment when it's not necessary.

This went off in a completely different direction than I meant it too,
but I get very passionate about this issue.  It's not about caring what
others think, but doing things that demonstrate we are normal people who
do normal things.  We're not discussing what type of cane to use, or if
a service dog is better, or how to best pour liquid, or if talking
devices should be used for tasks- these our matters of preference, but
skipping to the front of a line for no reason other than your blind and
people think any disability equates to physical fragility, this is not a
preference, in my opinion, it's simply doing what's right.  I can stand;
I have complete use of my feet and legs; why do I get to cut?  Others
are in the same boat, they can just see.  I sincerely don't understand
why we think it's okay, or necessary, to do something like this.

Now for the fall out from this can of worms...

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog for Live Well Nebraska.com at
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:15:03 -0600
From: "Veronica Smith" <madison_tewe at spinn.net>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] meals and snacks
Message-ID: <000601cc6801$862b6a70$92823f50$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="utf-8"

I love that as well, but like you, I wrap the whole nanner. Yum!

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Pipi
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 8:52 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] meals and snacks

easy breakfast or snack.
spread peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla. then wrap a banana up in
the 
shell. you can also slice the banana first if desired.
Pipi
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nikki" <daizies304 at comcast.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2011 2:34 PM
Subject: Re: [blparent] meals and snacks

>    well, both.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jo Elizabeth Pinto
> Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2011 1:35 PM
> To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [blparent] meals and snacks
>
> Ideas for which?
>
> Jo Elizabeth
>
> "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning,

> unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat 
> into advance."--Franklin D. Roosevelt
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Nikki" <daizies304 at comcast.net>
> Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2011 12:18 PM
> To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [blparent] meals and snacks
>
>>    Hi all.
>> I know this is probably not the list to be talking about food, but it
>> concerns kids.
>> I?m wondering if any of you have any quick and easy ideas to share,
that 
>> I could try?
>> I?m not talking big and elaborate. Just simple.
>> Thanks.
>> _______________________________________________
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com
>>
>
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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:07:31 -0700
From: "Amanda Winkler" <awcactuscat1 at hotmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Disney World
Message-ID: <BLU156-ds6B31CE7789431C80A2A8D8D160 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=response

What are wish tripss?

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Leanne Merren" <leemer02 at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 7:21 PM
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Disney World

> Hi Michael,
> I have been there twice, both for wish trips for my kids.  Wish kids 
> get
> to enter the rides and other attractions through the handicap and fast

> pass entrances, so I know that there are separate entrances for people

> with disabilities.  I would advise you to call guest services ahead of

> time though and ask if you need a guest services card to use those 
> entrances. They are usually easy for me to navigate as they are ramps
with 
> rails on the sides for most of them, so I don't think your wife would
need 
> to go with you each time.  You might have to get someone's attention
when 
> you get up there but I'm not sure.  Since my kids were given special 
> treatment we always got on everything quickly and without having to
wait 
> much at all so it might be different in other cases.  I used a regular

> folding cane but a telescoping one might be nice.  We'll be going
again 
> this January so I will let you know if I notice any helpful
information 
> for you.
> Leanne
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael Baldwin" <mbaldwin at gpcom.net>
> To: "'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 8:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [blparent] Disney World
>
>
>> Not sure what benefits a GAC will offer a blind person. From what I 
>> can figure out, they are basically a card with instructions for a 
>> cast member for a  person who does not have a noticeable disability. 
>> Anyone blind get one of these and get any benefit from it?
>>
>> Michael
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org 
>> [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Neal Vestal
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 16:41
>> To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [blparent] Disney World
>>
>> Go to guest services on Day 1 and request a Guest Services Card. I 
>> would also suggest using a folding cane for the trip.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Aug 30, 2011, at 11:00 AM, "Michael Baldwin" <mbaldwin at gpcom.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>> I know some of you have been to DW on here, and we are planning a 
>>> trip for June 2012. My question isn't really parenting related, 
>>> because there will be 4 adults, and 3 kids, so the kids should not 
>>> create an issue for 1 blind dad.
>>>
>>> What is the best kind of cane to take. I was thinking the 
>>> telescoping
>> kind.
>>> Easy to collapse before getting on rides, and it will be small 
>>> enough I can just put it in the stroller with a kid if I don't feel 
>>> like using it at the time.
>>>
>>> if I am the only one who wants to go on a ride, will the Cast 
>>> Members assist, or will my wife need to go to help me get on, but 
>>> then she not get on herself.
>>>
>>> Other tips for a blind adult at DW?
>>>
>>> I know of the Braille maps and guides, but those don't interest me 
>>> much, unless I can get them ahead of time. I don't want to take time

>>> away from the kids' play to read a guide.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Michael
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blparent mailing list
>>> blparent at nfbnet.org 
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blparent_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>> blparent:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blparent_nfbnet.org/jnvestal%4
>>> 0y
>>> ahoo.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> blparent: 
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>> gpcom.n
>> et
>>
>>
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il.com
>
>
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> 

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:33:51 -0400
From: jan wright <jan.wrightfamily5 at gmail.com>
To: blparent <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [blparent] thoughts about food
Message-ID:

<CAAGY-FVbppW9BGH--7745DvdWSFyAB3khDiWLZVe2=me-N5wCw at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I like Bridgit's suggestions and think that they ring true for families
with picky eaters. Sometimes, it is fun to shop at international markets
so that you can see all of the fruits and vegetables available. Your
child can say: "Hey Mommy, what is that, maybe that would be good." You
buy it and find some way to fix it. We have found many favorites this
way. Even talking about healthy food and/or playing games about food
helps. When my children were young, I lived in a very small town and
did not get out much. I felt closed in and wanted my children to be
exposed to **something. So, each time we went to the store, we would
pick something that we had never eaten and try it out. Sure, sometimes
it was an eclair or bacon wrapped scallops. But, sometimes it was a new
fruit or vegetable. Also, when/if you go to a restaurant, try eating
different things and letting your child try different things. Encourage
fruits and veggies before desserts in the buffet. I think that there are
picture books out of different kinds of vegetables and fruits. You could
read about them and that might spark your child's interest. Also, if you
go to ethnic festivals, your child might be willing to try a new food.
Sure, some are fried and sweetened, but some arent and it is about
expanding your child's pallet. Try organic honey (but not with infants
or tots under two) instead of sugars. i stay away from the artificial
stuff and the fructos. i would rather do natural sugar. i had to learn
the hard way to spice your food up, but without all the salt. Salt
tastes good, but sometimes other spices such as garlic, turmeric, basil,
oregano, cardamom and/or  thyme can add some flavor and you don't need
to add as much salt. i am hoping that my baby won't be hooked on salty
foods as i was. And, yes, we use seasalt when i cook, but you don't need
to use nearly as much.

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:35:53 -0400
From: jan wright <jan.wrightfamily5 at gmail.com>
To: blparent <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [blparent] knitting
Message-ID:

<CAAGY-FUk4Gu3te7Mp=NU+ypF_MyxwUR8LTkdo5d=32-5RaQ__w at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi Erin,
I wanted to respond to the knitting question.
Yes, the NFB does have a crafters group and they talk about knitting
lots. I am trying to knit a scarf and had to put it on hold. the concept
is easiest if you have a loom, but i don't know if you can do a blanket
with one. i have had to put it on hold, but will get back to it soon.

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 15:25:27 -0400
From: "Mary Jo Hartle" <mjhartle23 at gmail.com>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "'Hartle, Jesse'" <JHartle at nfb.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] [blaring] Disney World
Message-ID: <000f01cc68dc$e8886b10$b9994130$@com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

HI,
	I wanted to share some insights with the list on this topic.  My
husband Jesse, who also is blind, and I have been to Disney World every
year for the last six years.  WE love it and are big fans.  Of course
our navigation of the park has improved some since we have been there a
few times and learned the ropes of navigating it so to speak, but we've
found each of the four parks to be fairly easy to map out and the
accommodations offered to be quite useful.  I should also mention that
it wasn't until about our third or fourth trip there that we went with
anyone who was sighted and even then, we were leading them around for
the most part since we had been there before.  Here are a few tips I
would offer.  
We usually go in the off peak times as the parks are less crowded than
during the summer months and the lines are not as long either.  We've
been at different times of the year too, including peak times like
spring break and Christmas, but the off-season times are definitely the
best and still just as "magical". .  The rooms to stay at the Disney
resorts or on Disney property are also less expensive and often Disney
throws in the meal plan for free for resort guests during the off
season.  So, basically you get to eat great meals at nearly every
restaurant and counter top service in any of the parks and only have to
pay the gratuities at the restaurants.  So,  your food is basically paid
for which ends up being a huge savings.  Another advantage to staying on
the property is the access to the buses that run to and from the
property hotels to the main entrances of each of the main parks and
Downtown Disney(closer than you can get if you drive or if you take some
kind of transportation outside of Disney property).  This is great for
us since we can't drive ourselves there, and we don't need to pay for
transportation to and from the park.  The routes getting from the bus
drop offs to the park entrance gates are very easy to navigate and there
are always a lot of cast members (Disney employees) or other people
around to ask directions from if need be.  
	I know one of the big perks a lot of people think about when it
comes to being a blind person and going to Disney World is skipping the
long lines.  I'll admit that this is a nice and tempting perk, , but one
thing that Jesse and I have thought about is the kind of perception this
gives the public about blind people.  For example, if we are willing to
take a discount or take a pass to the front of the line, we are helping
to perpetuate the public view that blind people are dependent and need
to be cared for, or need special treatment, or that we cannot be
independent.  I know that other blind people may feel like cutting to
the front of a line isn't that big of a deal and you should use your
blindness to get benefits when you can, or feel justified in taking some
of these extra perks, but for the two of us, we'd like to just be seen
as regular people who don't need any special favors.  This is not to say
that we don't accept help or use some of the accessible services offered
at places like the descriptive headsets, or that we don't have a cast
member help us find things in a shop, but we try to minimize the
free-bee or special privilege aspect of things. A lot of people think we
are crazy when we say things like that we will wait in the regular line
and don't want to cut to the front, but again, we are trying to just be
normal and really don't need any special treatment.  The lines for
getting on rides are pretty easy to navigate since you're basically only
moving a few steps at a time and there are rails or chains along the
side which you can follow with your cane as you make the switch backs
through the line chutes so there really isn't any way you can get lost
or go the wrong way when getting onto a ride.  We can also tell when
people move up because our canes will feel the open space when they
move, we hear them step forward, or because the people in front or
behind us will let us know . So, there really is no physical reason that
we as active, healthy people who just happen to be blind really need to
go through a different line or skip the line all together.  I will say
though that we've been directed a number of times to the disability
entrance or to the fast pass line even though we weren't looking for it
and while it's nice to get n the ride faster, we always feel a little
guilty because the skip really isn't necessary.  
	What generally happens if you get a guest card from the service
counter when you arrive (we know b/c we had to get one one time when
Jesse's mom was with us and in a scooter which couldn't go through the
regular line) -----is that the guest pass allows you to go through a
different way and basically cut the line.  Most of the time, this is the
same line as the fast pass line which is offered to everyone and where
you just get a time stamped ticket to go on the most popular rides.
I'll explain fast passes in a few minutes as they are a really good tip.
When you have one of those guest passes, you do get extra assistance
with getting on the rides, but this is more designed for people with
physical mobility issues who need to transfer from a wheelchair or a
scooter.  We've found that the rides are easy to get on with the use of
our cane and the attendants are always very helpful no matter which line
we came through.  The only time we found we needed any real extra
assistance was on the rides that have a moving track you have to step
onto.  The only reason for this was that you jump on a little faster b/c
the cart comes up and wisks you away, so with these, we dind't have as
much time to find the place to stand with our cane and get lined up
before the cart came so the attendants can help you move there quicker
and get ready for the moving cart to come.  This is for rides like the
Peter Pan one in Fantasy land, or the Nemo ride in Epcot or the Cali
River Rapids ride in Animal Kingdom that have moving platforms for you
to walk on when getting in the car or tram.  It is also interesting to
note that if you use the guest pass card (which basically lets the cast
member operating the ride know you have a disability), we found
ourselves having to wait for a special car or train for the ride to go
in, not just getting to cut in front of the other riders who were
waiting in the regular line because you are put in the cue for a special
car that is more accessible for those with mobility issues so you don't
always get right on the ride as most think.  Sometimes when waiting in
this line, it took just as long as if we'd stood in the regular line.
As I said, we've had people direct us to this line without us knowing
when we've gone by ourselves and we've also gone in this line with
Jesse's mom because of some physical issues she has.  Again, we don't
really feel that we need any special treatment by skipping the line.  If
anyone needs to be allowed to skip the line, it's the family who is back
there waiting with two small kids having a meltdown rather than us no
less capable blind guys who are just doing it because we can.  
Whether or not you want to take some of the perks like cutting to the
front of a line because of blindness is a personal decision, but keep in
mind the kind of perception this gives to the public about the
capabilities of blind people and whether or not it's really a necessity
that you get help getting on at a different spot than the rest of the
riders or makes that big of a difference in your ability to get on and
off a ride. I also caution against doing something like this because we
feel entitled as blind people so we deserve this kind of perk as again,
it doesn't send a great message to the public about our capabilities as
blind people to be independent.  So, just some food for thought which
you can take or leave. 
	NO one wants to wait in a long line, so here are some other
alternatives you can try if you don't want to skip lines just because
you are blind.  WE have found that going in the off peak times is great
b/c the lines are so much shorter and the parks are easier to navigate
because they are not as crowded.  The longest line we've ever stood in
during the off peak time was a half hour which by Disney standards is
great.  There is also an ap on the iphone that can tell you ride wait
times too.  Even when we've gone through the line with the guest card or
had a cast member put us at the front b/c we were blind, we still waited
for about twenty to thirty mins. So it's about the same.  
	I mentioned the fast passes above.  These are passes you get in
the morning at each ride that print you a receipt telling you when to
come back and ride that ride .  Then, when you come back, you skip the
main line and go through the fast pass line which reduces your wait
time.  Its best to get to the parks early and get these early so you can
plan out your day and where you'll go and when, but they really help the
ride waiting process. ,Another advantage to staying on property is that
the parks offer extended hours at different parks each night.  This
means that because you are staying at a Disney hotel, you can stay up to
three hours at the parks either before the parks open or after they
close at night depending on what that park offers for the days of your
stay.  This cuts down the crowd size too so you are more able to walk on
rides.  Also, if you are going on a ride that another member of your
party isn't going on, they can still wait in line with you and then once
you get on the ride, they can exit and meet you where you will get off.
When we went last year, I was pregnant and unable to go on many of the
rides, so I waited for Jesse and our friends (also
blind) and became the designated cane holder.  But this allowed me still
to hang out and chat in line with them during our trip.  Disney also has
a ride swap deal for families which is great so if one parent goes on
with a child, the other parent can wait with a child or other individual
who can't go on the ride and then when the first person comes back, the
second one can go without having to go back and wait in line again.  
	Both Jesse and I use straight canes, so when we get on rides, we
use our canes up until we get in the car or train for the ride and then
hand our canes to the ride operator when he or she comes to check the
seatbelts and lap bars.  They put our canes right on the wall so when we
come back, they are right there to hand to us.  IN the cases where the
ride ends up at a different place than it starts, they've sent the canes
down so they are there when we get off the ride. For the most part, we
haven't had any trouble with this, except one time they forgot to bring
our canes down, so we had to wait a couple of minutes for them after we
got off the ride.  A folding cane really could be useful though because
then you wouldn't have to worry about where your cane was since it could
collapse down.  We've been thinking we should start taking a folding
cane with us to make this process a little easier and also to have a
backup in case the straight cane breaks
while on the trip.   

	My last piece of advice for this novel has to do with navigating
the park in general and the use of the descriptive headsets.  Both Jesse
and I have really good travel skills.  WE both graduated from the
Louisiana Center for the Blind, have traveled in lots of different
environments, and are pretty good problem solvers.  I'm also a certified
o and m specialist.  So, we are not afraid of getting out there and
doing a little  discovery learning.  Yes, we've been turned around and
disoriented at the parks, and had to have cast members or other people
show us the way to things before, but we didn't feel like we couldn't go
or needed a sighted person to go with us for us to have a successful
trip.  We just learned to ask questions, pay attention for audio cues or
land marks, and figured things out.  The parks really are pretty easy to
navigate and people are usually very helpful, though asking a cast
member at a food stand or ride for direction is always best b/c they
really know the parks. One really great thing we discovered is the new
descriptive headsets.  These are great and gave us so much information.
We still had to know how to travel around ourselves, but the devices
gave us info as we passed by things b/c they work on GPS.  WE would get
info like what we were passing, if a rest room was close by,
descriptions of decor at a ride, and a description of the scenery while
on the ride so we would know what was happening.  For example, on the
Pirates of the Caribbean ride, it describes the little scenes as you
enter each room so even though we knew from the dialog or music of the
ride that we were in a village, the description would point out how the
figures were dressed or some of the actions and scenery.  It was so
great because we really got more out of the ride.  It works on the rides
much like a descriptive movie.  Each device has a menu option too which
you can select which tells you what is around in each area or sub park
of the Disney park such as Frontier land or Adventure land in Magic
Kingdom.  This menu gives you a listing of all the eateries in that
part, with description, all the rides, and all the shops. Then, as you
pass by them, it will tell you the name.  Also, as you pass by
something, you can select to hear a brief description of that attraction
again.  We really enjoyed using these and found them pretty easy once we
got the hang of it.  It really helped us map out our routes better too.
You do have to pay a deposit when you get them, but you get it back when
you return the device.  You get these from the customer service building
at the front of the park.  Unfortunately you have to check out a new one
at each park--Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood
Studios, so if you are park hopping , or going to more than one park a
day, you have to take time to return them and get new ones, but they are
definitely worth it. Just be sure they set it for audio description and
not amplified listening which is for people who have some hearing loss.
This happened to us at Animal Kingdom and we couldn't switch it back b/c
the cast members have to do that.  Apparently they see something that
says audio and assume it's the right one b/c it's happened to others we
know.  Once we were already up at the back of the park where we wanted
to start when we realized this, and didn't have much time before the
park closed, so we didn't take it back and change it.  By the way,
another savvy Disney travel tip, start at the back of a park early b/c
most people will go to the first ride they see in the front and work
their way back, so you can beat some of the crowd and line rush this
way.  Anyway, the descriptive devices are really neat and I highly
recommend you use them.  I would also recommend bringing your own
headphones as the ones that come with the devices are a little bulky and
you will be wearing them as you walk around and go on rides, so you
still want to be able to carry other things and hear out one ear while
you're traveling.  The devices look like a stream or old walkman and
have a lanyard so you can wear them around your neck or shoulder.  
	So, there you have it.  These are some of my tips we've learned
as a blind couple navigating Disney World, for what it's worth.  We love
it and will continue to go for years to come I'm sure.  Its definitely
possible to get around as a blind person there too if you have good
travel skills and a sense of adventure to learn your way around.  Please
feel free to email me for more info or with any questions.  Also, Pam
and Roland Allen, a blind couple from Louisiana,  go almost every year
too  so if you know them, you should talk to them too. Feel free to
email me if you have other questions
for me about this.    
Thanks. 
Mary JO Hartle 