SSE touch screens and blind guests.

[rdour@techminds]

Experience for sure. I've been involved with software testing for years that involves access products. I've also held many jobs. One thing that stands out is the ability for people to simply admit "wow, we didn't think about that at all." Access really needs to be on everyone's mind, because making things accessible also offers alternatives for those who just want one. Providing hand held captioning for guests with hearing loss can also help those who may not be auditory learners or have a learning challenge. Described attractions will help even those with some vision loss by giving them the means to focus their attention on specific visual elements. I've got a good friend who has some vision loss. He turns on the description during The Simpsons simply because the description is usually a bit ahead of the actual action taking place. It helps him focus on what he should be seeing.

During Impressions de France, the description provided the proper names of places and buildings being viewed. I was with a few podcasters at the time of viewing, and they all had questions about which buildings were featured in the film. I knew, simply because I was actually told.

Ryan

 

[echoscot]

Experience for sure. I've been involved with software testing for years that involves access products. I've also held many jobs. One thing that stands out is the ability for people to simply admit "wow, we didn't think about that at all." Access really needs to be on everyone's mind, because making things accessible also offers alternatives for those who just want one. Providing hand held captioning for guests with hearing loss can also help those who may not be auditory learners or have a learning challenge. Described attractions will help even those with some vision loss by giving them the means to focus their attention on specific visual elements. I've got a good friend who has some vision loss. He turns on the description during The Simpsons simply because the description is usually a bit ahead of the actual action taking place. It helps him focus on what he should be seeing.

During Impressions de France, the description provided the proper names of places and buildings being viewed. I was with a few podcasters at the time of viewing, and they all had questions about which buildings were featured in the film. I knew, simply because I was actually told.

Ryan

Here's a point as well, one reason the ABC stage has remained unused for so long had to do with the slope of the floor. When it was built it met the standards, but in the mid 90s the ADA standard changed. Disney has had some difficulty trying to figure out how to fix that, but rumors abound that progress is underway on something new going in there and corrections to that slope.

Before anyone flames me, that is only one factor, I am aware that there were many many things that led to the demise of that facility as a useful area.

 

[rdour@techminds]

Any time you do major referb of a building or outdoor facility like a park, you have to come up to the latest code and standards. So, if they had simply left the ABC theater alone, no compliance would be necessary. An example is the TTA. Currently, good luck getting a wheelchair up there. However, lets say they actually add some new track or remove a section, then they have to modify that attraction for ADA compliance. Besides, it really does need an elevator anyway.

I wonder if anyone has actually rolled their chair onto the speed ramp and then put on the brakes with a buddy holding them from certain rollback? Even if they got up, imagine getting down. you'd have to have a buddy lock the wheels, and then attempt to keep you from rolling backwards down the ramp. No way could you go forward, unless you've got a 5 point seatbelt on that chair. Even then, rolling would almost certainly occur. Do people ever try it with strollers? I can just imagine the level of stupidity that could be involved here. Anyone ever see some crazy stuff happen on those speed ramps? Total thread drift I know, but now I'm curious.

Anyway, at shows, Disney really tries to do the best job to make sure everyone can enjoy the experience. In my case, being near the front, and dead center especially, allows me to get the best concept of where people or objects are in the stereo field that is presented. So, for Beauty and the Beast, I can hear the actors moving around on stage, and almost know exactly where they are at. Being in the front row, I can even hear some of the singing direct from their point on stage, which really helps know where they are at.

I've asked, they don't offer any special opportunity to explore the sets or characters involved in the show. Too bad, tactile information for me really adds to the experience. meeting Remmy and Amiel was really awesome, because for me, it really was the first time I ever had the chance to "see" them. Probably the reason why I really loved my character dining at Liberty Tree Tavern. I was the only single adult there that didn't have a camera, but got plenty of attention from the characters. Pluto especially, he just really enjoyed me. The best thing though, this for me is my chance to see my favorite characters. The rest of the time, I hear the voices, and I don't see them. If only they didn't have a soar throat every time I meet one

Anyway, how do I blog about my experience here on this site? I thought about starting my own blog, and I have the means to do it. But, what's a blog if nobody knows about it or where it is? I think this community would be a great place to get started.

Ryan

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Ryan,

Just wanted to say that I think it is pretty cool that I stumbled across your post. I think we saw you in one of the parks last week... But for the life of me right now I can't think of which one.

I'm thinking it may have been Epcot on Friday, December 14th? Can you tell I had a busy trip? I can't remember the details like I usually do. We had our whole family with us, and we were playing tour guides, so it was an exhausting trip.

Wherever it was, I know it must have been you, because I remember there being a lot of people around you, but seemingly no one was with you.

Glad to hear you became famous among the CMs! My Grandmother received a lot of attention from the CMs during this trip, due to her 85th birthday, and it really enhanced her experience in the parks.

Keep us updated regarding your communications with Disney. I would be happy to send them an email on behalf of your cause. Hopefully they can rectify the ride situation.

Oh, and your blog is a great idea... It would give us a completely different perspective of WDW. That's something I always look forward to.