Disney Agrees To Add Interpreters For Hearing Impaired

The Walt Disney Co. on Friday reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to provide interpreters and other assistance for the hearing impaired at its U.S. theme parks.

The pact was a response to complaints brought against the entertainment giant by deaf consumers under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which guarantees the disabled equal access to public accommodations, including theme parks.

Disney agreed to incorporate sign-language interpreters, innovative captioning systems and other audiovisual aids into more than 100 rides, parades, attractions and shows at its four domestic theme parks.

Disney has agreed to have most of the improvements in place by the end of the year. The pact covers Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and Walt Disney World, Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios near Orlando, Fla. The agreement was not an admission or wrongdoing, nor was the company fined by the Justice Department.

”(Disney) 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 Patrick, assistant attorney general for civil rights. Advocates for deaf hailed the agreement as a watershed that would compel other theme parks and entertainment venues to improve their services to the hearing impaired.

“There is no doubt that other places are going to follow Disney’s lead,” said Coleen Ashly, outreach director for the Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness. “This is a significant action and a great day for the deaf community. I’m thrilled.”

The Justice Department began working with Disney in the early ‘90s after fielding complaints from deaf patrons that its parks weren’t accessible to the hearing impaired.