Hello all,
I wanted to pass along some info I have not seen posted here ever. This is not a rumor, this is news.
I have had the opportunity to try something new at WDW. I've always hoped this would happen, and now it has. I'm visually impaired, and have very little vision. Not enough to navigate, so I use a cane. I mostly see light and shadow plus color if it is not blended with many other colors.
I was provided a device similar in nature to the hand held captioning and assistive listening device. This version had new software, and at boot you choose "Descriptive audio." The device locks down, with only arrow keys for volume usable. This is good, because otherwise bumping other buttons would result in the need to have the device looked at by a cast member. Once in an attraction with this device, it comes alive with descriptions of the queue and then takes you right through the attraction.
So far a limited number of attractions have the feature. I personally experienced this at Epcot, and totally loved it. I'll describe one experience here in short summary. I plan to write a whole lot more if people show interest.
When entering the Imagination building, the device vibrates to let you know something is about to be described. While waiting in the queue, you hear all about Nigel Channing and Figment as they are in the queue. You then are told that a train approaches, and then you get on the ride. While on the ride itself, descriptions of Figment's actions along with set description are provided. They made the best attempt to avoid talking over characters, but in some cases it was not easily avoided. The audio is very much on time too, synced by infrared with the rest of the soundtracks. It works really well, and adjusts to ride stops and delays.
In words, I can't describe just how big of a game changer this device is for me. In the future, it will have more capability. It becomes available in 2008, I begged and pleaded for the opportunity to test this device for over a year. Also, I have very high tolerances for bugs, as I've tested many products and services over the years. There are things about the service right now that lead me to believe the testing will continue, but in good Disney fashion I won't speak to any elements of bad show. That's for my direct feedback to them.
If you have an interest in such adaptive tech, let me know. I'll try and PM you to discuss my experience. This has been incredible. If most of you reading this don't know, I'm on my first solo trip to WDW. The cast member response has been nothing short of spectacular. They are simply the most helpful cheerful people I've ever met. Even guests are extremely helpful. I have felt a level of acceptance I've never experienced before in a public place. Normally I get talked down to and get this feeling the people offering help are doing it out of pity. Not here, not at all. Here, people are genuinely willing to help. Some just come up to me both cast and guest and want to simply tell me how amazed they are with watching me navigate the parks. I will admit, if you can see, this is really unusual. I'm very happy to be spreading a very positive vibe for other blind people, simply because stereotypes and long existing social conditions have placed us as a group into a very negative light. I see my trip as both an opportunity to spoil myself for the week, and to simply show people that all of this really is possible even if you can't see.
Please, if you see me in the parks over the next few days (til Dec 11) feel free to come up to me and introduce yourself. I have had a blast meeting up with many podcasters I know on this trip. Paul and Patrick from WTTM, and Ray and Cindy from LTAD podcast have been a blast. WDWMagic has been a place to keep my Disney experience going all year round, so anyone who posts here would be awesome to meet. We already have something in common, these parks simply rock!
Ryan
I wanted to pass along some info I have not seen posted here ever. This is not a rumor, this is news.
I have had the opportunity to try something new at WDW. I've always hoped this would happen, and now it has. I'm visually impaired, and have very little vision. Not enough to navigate, so I use a cane. I mostly see light and shadow plus color if it is not blended with many other colors.
I was provided a device similar in nature to the hand held captioning and assistive listening device. This version had new software, and at boot you choose "Descriptive audio." The device locks down, with only arrow keys for volume usable. This is good, because otherwise bumping other buttons would result in the need to have the device looked at by a cast member. Once in an attraction with this device, it comes alive with descriptions of the queue and then takes you right through the attraction.
So far a limited number of attractions have the feature. I personally experienced this at Epcot, and totally loved it. I'll describe one experience here in short summary. I plan to write a whole lot more if people show interest.
When entering the Imagination building, the device vibrates to let you know something is about to be described. While waiting in the queue, you hear all about Nigel Channing and Figment as they are in the queue. You then are told that a train approaches, and then you get on the ride. While on the ride itself, descriptions of Figment's actions along with set description are provided. They made the best attempt to avoid talking over characters, but in some cases it was not easily avoided. The audio is very much on time too, synced by infrared with the rest of the soundtracks. It works really well, and adjusts to ride stops and delays.
In words, I can't describe just how big of a game changer this device is for me. In the future, it will have more capability. It becomes available in 2008, I begged and pleaded for the opportunity to test this device for over a year. Also, I have very high tolerances for bugs, as I've tested many products and services over the years. There are things about the service right now that lead me to believe the testing will continue, but in good Disney fashion I won't speak to any elements of bad show. That's for my direct feedback to them.
If you have an interest in such adaptive tech, let me know. I'll try and PM you to discuss my experience. This has been incredible. If most of you reading this don't know, I'm on my first solo trip to WDW. The cast member response has been nothing short of spectacular. They are simply the most helpful cheerful people I've ever met. Even guests are extremely helpful. I have felt a level of acceptance I've never experienced before in a public place. Normally I get talked down to and get this feeling the people offering help are doing it out of pity. Not here, not at all. Here, people are genuinely willing to help. Some just come up to me both cast and guest and want to simply tell me how amazed they are with watching me navigate the parks. I will admit, if you can see, this is really unusual. I'm very happy to be spreading a very positive vibe for other blind people, simply because stereotypes and long existing social conditions have placed us as a group into a very negative light. I see my trip as both an opportunity to spoil myself for the week, and to simply show people that all of this really is possible even if you can't see.
Please, if you see me in the parks over the next few days (til Dec 11) feel free to come up to me and introduce yourself. I have had a blast meeting up with many podcasters I know on this trip. Paul and Patrick from WTTM, and Ray and Cindy from LTAD podcast have been a blast. WDWMagic has been a place to keep my Disney experience going all year round, so anyone who posts here would be awesome to meet. We already have something in common, these parks simply rock!
Ryan
