[Nfbmo] Fw: This is great!
Eugene Coulter
escoulter at centurytel.net
Thu Jun 24 01:04:01 UTC 2010
Hi everyone Iwas already aware of the system as I found it while doing
research for the trip we hope to take to Disney World next month. I haven't
decided whether I will pick up one of the devices yet. But, here are the
current details especially since a lot of us will being going there in July
of 2011 for National Convention:
ATTRACTION DESCRIPTION
Attraction Description utilizes Disney's Handheld Device to provide
supplemental audio for Guests with visual disabilities at specific
attractions. Devices are available at Theme Park Guest Relations locations
and require a $100 refundable deposit (must return item on same day for
refund).
Attraction Description is currently available at the following Locations:
Magic Kingdom
The Enchanted Tiki Room (Main Show Only)
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Haunted Mansion
"it's a small world"
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Scary Adventures
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's Country House
Minnie's Country House
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Epcot
Impressions de France
Reflections of China
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Journey Into Your Imagination
The American Adventure
Gran Fiesta Tour
Universe of Energy
Living with the Land
O'Canada
Spaceship Earth
Hollywood Studios
Muppet Vision 3D
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
The Magic of Disney Animation
Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage
Animal Kingdom
It's Tough to be a Bug
Pangani Forest Trail
Maharajah Jungle Trek
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Wunder" <gwunder at earthlink.net>
To: "nfbmo list" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 2:22 PM
Subject: [Nfbmo] Fw: This is great!
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lehmann, Timothy A" <TimLehmann at MissouriState.edu>
> To: "Lehmann, Timothy A" <TimLehmann at MissouriState.edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 1:45 PM
> Subject: This is great!
>
>
>
> Just got this information. Thought you might appreciate it. Feel free to
> pass it on. Thanks and have a nice day!
>
> 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
>
> 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(r) 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/> 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.org, 617-300-3700
>
>
> Tim Lehmann
>
> Disability Projects Coordinator
>
> College Of Education
>
> Missouri State University
>
> Hill Hall 401
>
> 901 South National Avenue
>
> Springfield, Missouri 65897
>
> Office 417-836-4248 Fax 417-836-4884
>
>
>
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