SSE touch screens and blind guests.

[rdour@techminds]

Big problem. I simply couldn't interact with the experience because I can't see the screen to touch my answers. No alternative mode either, such as a voiceover telling me the questions and asking me to touch general regions of the screen to answer. Very very sad. Also, the laugh floor was not workin' for me as a blind guest. I'm very afraid of the potential issues with the new ride at Disney Studios for 2008, another interactive experience that simply won't be accessible.

When I did get off of SSE, I mentioned the issue all three times I rode it. I got the same ending, very generic with the same voiceover every time. The CMs had something to say, and one even said "wow, I'll bet they didn't even think about that issue." I did ask if I could speak to someone about it, but no CM had a clue who would even be capable of passing on such feedback.

Now, please also check on my thread about described attractions. The SSE main show itself will for sure be described with the new technology in place. However, I really wonder what if anything can be done at this point to make the ending worthwhile. The music isn't doing it for me this time. I used to get the chills hearing the old ending music fade away into the sound of wind, as if ending a dream sequence. I'd get off that ride every time with pure amazement. Keep in mind, I couldn't see a thing.

Ryan

 

[wdwmagic]

That's a very valid point Ryan. If you havnt, I would email your comments to WDW Guest Relations.

 

[mlayton14]

Steve .. do you have the Email address for WDW guest relations? I am itching to tell them what I think of the recent changes ... so very disappointing.

Thanks

 

[wdwmagic]

Steve .. do you have the Email address for WDW guest relations? I am itching to tell them what I think of the recent changes ... so very disappointing.

Thanks

Sure do wdw.guest.communications@disney.com

 

[SirNim]

This is the perfect use for touchscreens—to allow for the selection of alternative voice-overs and narration tracks, captions, translations, descriptions of the scenes, etc. for each individual rider. The touchscreens would be perfectly justified if only for these accessibility and inclusion purposes, and not for being the integral component of the attraction itself.

 

[Monty]

This is the perfect use for touchscreens—to allow for the selection of alternative voice-overs and narration tracks, captions, translations, descriptions of the scenes, etc. for each individual rider. The touchscreens would be perfectly justified if only for these accessibility and inclusion purposes, and not for being the integral component of the attraction itself.

But misses the point of the OP. They're useless to a blind guest.

 

[SirNim]

But misses the point of the OP. They're useless to a blind guest.

No, there would have to be a way to physically, manually select which option would be needed, and that's where the "touch" part of "touchscreen" comes into play. For sight-impaired guests, a companion or a cast member at load could do this, or it could be handled with a voiceover describing which segment of the screen to select for various services a la "and asking me to touch general regions of the screen." Of course, for international guests, the "screen" part of the "touchscreen" is very useful in terms of captioning. Both the "touch" part and the "screen" part of the touchscreen can have a vital service for all guests.

 

[Enigma]

This is the perfect use for touchscreens—to allow for the selection of alternative voice-overs and narration tracks, captions, translations, descriptions of the scenes, etc. for each individual rider. The touchscreens would be perfectly justified if only for these accessibility and inclusion purposes, and not for being the integral component of the attraction itself.

I agree with you but I think the problem is alot of the current imagineers dont think about those things or are simply too lazy just wanting to throw together the rdie that the corporations tell them to and collect there paycheck and go home. It seems like the imagineers no longer think things through or put passion into their work.

 

[Katya]

I agree with you but I think the problem is alot of the current imagineers dont think about those things or are simply too lazy just wanting to throw together the rdie that the corporations tell them to and collect there paycheck and go home. It seems like the imagineers no longer think things through or put passion into their work.

I don't particularly think this is the case. I know the imagineers I've been working around have seemed pretty passionate about getting things right and have heard them discusses a lot of very minute details, as well as seeing my own managers talking with them and seeing through the development of the ride.

Also, I know someone mentioned maybe a cast member at load would be able to select it...logistically I don't know how easy that would be. Each of the three CMs at load have jobs and generally we're each pretty busy doing all of them, and if the last one finds themself at the console, I just don't see how that's possible.

Nevertheless, this is a really good point and I know that I wouldn't know what to suggest while there, which is hard on a CM when you have no idea what to say to someone's very legitimate problem. I really hope they receive your feedback and can do something about it.

 

[Figment1986]

They could request Blind guests load at Unload with the disabled guests so they could enable certain cars in each cycle to do an alternative program.

 

[Katya]

They could request Blind guests load at Unload with the disabled guests so they could enable certain cars in each cycle to do an alternative program.

There's been talk of this for guests who can't transfer from wheelchairs and have separate cars they can ride, but the truth of the matter is that the timing of it is really difficult. Even in the case of having extra special cars, it would mean that no matter what guests with disabilities would always have to be seated in certain cars and if for some reason they weren't loaded at just the right time it would cause more problems than you would be able to imagine.

 

[rdour@techminds]

Well, I'm happy people are talking about it at least. I'll be very interested to see if anything really happens there.

If you read my other post, you'll see that I spent an entire 9 days wandering the world mostly solo. Yeah, once in a while I'd hang out with a group of podcasters, but that's the extent of it. I'm not easily forgotten either, and word spread about my little adventure between CMs. I had CMs coming up to me and asking if I am Ryan and am I really wandering around the world alone? It was really good to see that it caused people to take interest, and provided a really positive view of people like myself with severe vision loss. Most of the time you probably encounter someone who seems to be functioning much less with the same level of vision loss.

Back on topic though, I believe using regions of the screen would really do the trick. Yes or no questions could simply be answered with the left and right half of the screen. Three or four answers could be done with screen corners. Even 5 answers if you include the center. Nine answers if you use a 3 x 3 grid. Why not just provide every 10th car with an audio jack and then simply hand the user a set of headphones. Ever see the headphones that use the standard cup design, but leave the area around the driver open? That would provide reasonable transparency for hearing the ambient sound and descriptive instruction. But my hope would be that the new tech being worked on for general description may just do the trick. Remember, those computers are running a modern OS there in the cars, anything is really possible. Isn't it sad that things are within easy reach, but people just don't think about it or follow through with it?

Ryan

 

[SirNim]

Remember, those computers are running a modern OS there in the cars, anything is really possible. Isn't it sad that things are within easy reach, but people just don't think about it or follow through with it?

Exactly my thoughts. Now, of course, this sort of technological integration should by no means be shoved upon every single attraction in WDW, because it's just not feasible on that sort of scale. But if there is one attraction, just one attraction in the entire complex, let alone the entire country, that could benefit from this technology, an attraction ABOUT technology and communication and innovation, well by golly Spaceship Earth is it, and I'd have no problems with whatever sort of test or pilot program based on this premise installed on the Omnimovers which, as already pointed out, are already fitted with a modern operating system that can handle any or all of what is thrown at it.

 

[echoscot]

Exactly my thoughts. Now, of course, this sort of technological integration should by no means be shoved upon every single attraction in WDW, because it's just not feasible on that sort of scale. But if there is one attraction, just one attraction in the entire complex, let alone the entire country, that could benefit from this technology, an attraction ABOUT technology and communication and innovation, well by golly Spaceship Earth is it, and I'd have no problems with whatever sort of test or pilot program based on this premise installed on the Omnimovers which, as already pointed out, are already fitted with a modern operating system that can handle any or all of what is thrown at it.

As we discovered from another thread, that modern OS happens to be WindowsXP. Which is definitely more stable than other Windows versions.


And I agree with you about the appropriate setting for a computer touch screen in an attraction.

If you think about it, that is exactly how Horizons ended, touch screens in your vehicle that resulted in a video screen that was focused on just your car, they had pop out blinders so you would just see yours, ideally(I kind of peeked at others a few times..LOL)

 

[rdour@techminds]

If they still keep that Feb 18 date, they could still make access adjustments.

Ryan

 

[elcodfish]

maybe

Could it be as easy as having the first screen ask for your lanuage, where you push the correct area, and if nothing is selected in 15 seconds it asks, are you visually impared, and if you do not press no in 15 seconds it begins a seperate sequence? :shrug:

Erica

 

[echoscot]

Could it be as easy as having the first screen ask for your lanuage, where you push the correct area, and if nothing is selected in 15 seconds it asks, are you visually impared, and if you do not press no in 15 seconds it begins a seperate sequence? :shrug:

Erica

They actually do have you touch the part of the screen where you are from...

 

[maelstrom]

I didn't even think about this until you mentioned it. Disney really dropped the ball with this one. You're missing out on an entire section of the ride, and that isn't fair. Definitely voice your concerns to guest relations. I think we all should, on behalf of Ryan and other visually impaired WDW guests. If they get enough complaints, perhaps they'll do something about it.

 

[rdour@techminds]

Unfortunately every major company, even Disney, grows a problem with communications. The more people involved, the harder it is to keep everyone on the same page. This is probably the reason for a lack of proper consideration for such a situation.

However, there is a simple and effective solution to such a situation. Policy and procedure make all the difference. If Disney had an accessibility standards body, each venture would be reviewed for access purposes. Then reports could be generated, and suggestions offered. Finally, the testing of such a solution by a team of people who really experience such conditions should be applied.

So, I believe if given the choice, all would want to make things accessible. However, without policy and procedure, everyone would assume that its simply not their job to make sure things are available to people needing access adaptations.

Ryan

 

[echoscot]

Unfortunately every major company, even Disney, grows a problem with communications. The more people involved, the harder it is to keep everyone on the same page. This is probably the reason for a lack of proper consideration for such a situation.

However, there is a simple and effective solution to such a situation. Policy and procedure make all the difference. If Disney had an accessibility standards body, each venture would be reviewed for access purposes. Then reports could be generated, and suggestions offered. Finally, the testing of such a solution by a team of people who really experience such conditions should be applied.

So, I believe if given the choice, all would want to make things accessible. However, without policy and procedure, everyone would assume that its simply not their job to make sure things are available to people needing access adaptations.

Ryan

Excellent thought....and one from experience maybe????