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.
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