Originally Posted By Donny I came across this article by John Frost about an ongoing lawsuit <a href="http://thedisneyblog.com/2011/07/06/class-action-lawsuit-certified-against-disney-for-ada-violations-against-the-blind/" target="_blank">http://thedisneyblog.com/2011/...e-blind/</a>
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Some very old news there Donny! That has been swinging around the web for a couple of weeks now.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I didn't read it again..I'm just telling you it has been around for awhile and been discussed pretty heavily. Not necessarily here on this board (don't remember) but on many others.
Originally Posted By Donny The chief complaints, mostly against the Parks & Resorts division are: 1) Disney does not provide schedules, menus and maps in formats which are accessible to blind persons, such as in Braille, large print, or electronic form; 2) Disney does not accommodate the needs of guide dogs; 3) Disney does not accommodate the needs of blind persons during live parades and shows; 4) Disney does not permit any discounted admission for sighted companions who must accompany and support blind persons in the theme parks; and 5) Disney’s websites do not accommodate blind persons who use screen reader programs to access information.
Originally Posted By dshyates "3) Disney does not accommodate the needs of blind persons during live parades and shows;" I guess they want a spot with a better view?
Originally Posted By dshyates "5) Disney’s websites do not accommodate blind persons who use screen reader programs to access information." Is screen reader accommadation even part of the ADA?
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I have to say that some of this is not true. Disney does provide braille menu's and guide books. They even provide attraction descriptions of the attractions at each location. You have to know where and who to ask. Disney is also very guide dog friendly. Disney trains CM's at each location how to deal with guests who have a guide dog, including how to approach the guest and the dog. It is part of every OG and part of the test to work at a location. As for a discount...the funny thing about the ADA is that is set up so that a guest with a disability is supposed to be treated and have access the same as every other guest. It is meant to treat them as "normally" as possible. So I always find it interesting that people feel that they should be treated like every other guest when it comes to access to places but then want a discount because of some need they may have.
Originally Posted By tashajilek "3) Disney does not accommodate the needs of blind persons during live parades and shows;" I dont get this one either?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros This is the first I've heard of this story. My opinions are pretty much in line with the author's; Disney may have room for improvement, but is significantly better than most. With my experiences working with ADA, I'm pretty sure that Disney meets everything they need to, though a lot of these are policy issues that I don't know the background on. I do know that recently (late last fall?), DL installed two large braille maps. One is next to Tour Guide Gardens by City Hall, and the other is by the wait time board in the Central Plaza. I've also seen wooden mock-ups of attraction vehicles for blind people, so they can get a sense of what they look like, which I've never seen anywhere else (though I really haven't been searching for them).
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< "3) Disney does not accommodate the needs of blind persons during live parades and shows;" I dont get this one either? >>> For example, by offering an audio descriptive narration that explains what is going on to a non-sighted person who is wearing special headphones.
Originally Posted By Donny It would be nice for Disney to offer a discount to one person helping a legally blind person with their day at Disney but I wouldn't want to see the government demand it.I would like to see people using ECV's use a little more skill when maneuvering around the park.I have had to jump out of the way of ECV's a number of times by people who seem to forget you can go half throttle and still get your destination.
Originally Posted By tashajilek ^^^ There is a lot more power to a ECV. While at WDW i had a guy who didnt know how to use one hit me, hit a little girl badly and hit another lady in a span of 2 minutes without saying sorry. I worked with a lady in a wheelchair and trust me when your foot gets run over and bruised it hurts like hell. Im not saying getting hit with a stroller wouldnt hurt but, just not as dangerous IMHO.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros From my general experience, it seems that ECV drivers are usually a little more aware of the people around them, and do their best to not have collisions. I've found that many stroller-drivers seem to use them like battering rams to force their way through the crowds. ECV drivers definitely hit people too, but they tend to apologize.
Originally Posted By Donny "stroller-drivers seem to use them like battering rams" I have seen that as well
Originally Posted By tashajilek I am sure ECV drivers are more aware but it sure hurts to be run over by one. My experience was with someone who probably should have been driving one where most people i encounter are very experienced. ""stroller-drivers seem to use them like battering rams"" I have see this too.
