FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1997 (202) 616-2777 TDD (202) 514-1888 WALT DISNEY WORLD COMPANY AGREES TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING GUESTS WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The magic of Walt Disney World and Disneyland will be available to millions of Americans who are deaf and hard-of-hearing under an agreement reached today between the Justice Department and Walt Disney World Company. Today's agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully enjoy the services and facilities at the two parks. The agreement calls for providing sign language interpreters and captioning systems for Disney attractions, including more than 100 moving rides, parades and staged performances. "Walt Disney World is combining its tradition of innovation with a commitment to ensuring that deaf and hard-of-hearing people can experience Disney's magic," said Deval L. Patrick, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "We hope that all of America's theme parks will use innovation and cooperation to open their doors, too. This is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to remove barriers to communication for all people." Under the agreement, which covers "The Magic Kingdom," Epcot, and MGM-Disney in Orlando, Florida, as well as Disneyland in Anaheim, California, the company will: provide regularly scheduled interpreter services at designated attractions, and make the schedule available to guests; provide interpreters at specified attractions on specified dates, provided guests request such services at least two weeks in advance; provide captioning for designated attractions; advertise the availability of interpreters, captioning, and assistive listening devices; and, train all Guest Services employees about providing services and responding to requests and complaints by deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons. Before reaching the agreement, Disney began captioning or interpreting some of its presentations and offering assistive listening systems, which increase volume for hard-of-hearing guests. Disney will also use Rear Window Captioning. Under this innovative approach, individuals can look through a plexiglass window at their seat to view the text. The captioning would not be visible to others in the audience. After hearing concerns from deaf patrons, the Department began working with the Walt Disney Company to ensure the facilities are fully accessible. The ADA, passed in July of 1990, prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. Title III of the Act applies to public accommodations, including amusements parks and other places of recreation. The ADA guarantees equal access to public accommodations for individuals with various disabilities. For more information about this agreement, or about the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD), or access the ADA home page on the world wide web at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ ada/adahom1.htm. # # # 96-021