[wisconsin] Dizny Anounces Audio Tours

[Hyde, David W. (ESC)]

>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(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/>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 No virus 
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>- Release Date: 06/23/10 01:36:00