Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                   CR
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1997                                    (202) 616-2777
                                                        TDD (202) 514-1888
                WALT DISNEY WORLD 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.
        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
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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.
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        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
                AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
        AND WALT DISNEY WORLD CO. UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
         ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF AUXILIARY AIDS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

        This Agreement between Walt Disney World Co. (WDW) and the
United States Department of Justice (Department) is the
culmination of an on-going and mutually beneficial process to
make WDW more accessible to persons with hearing impairments.

        The background and procedure that has led to this agreement
is both illuminating and instructive in terms of the benefits to
be derived from collaborative efforts between private industry
and the government. Prior to the enactment of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and its effective date in 1992, WDW was
committed to meeting the needs of its guests with disabilities,
and had been recognized as an innovator in that regard. With
respect to hearing-related disabilities, WDW has offered to
guests who are deaf or hard of hearing a variety of auxiliary
aides, including assistive listening systems, TDD's, captioning
on television, and written aides to communication at many of its
shows and attractions.

        Following enactment of the ADA, the Department advised WDW
that some guests with hearing disabilities claimed that they were
denied effective communication as required by the ADA. As a
result of the concerns addressed by the Department which have
since been resolved separately, the Department proceeded to
investigate and began an ongoing discussion with WDW. Together,
with the Department's assistance, WDW has undertaken a variety of
innovative steps to better address the needs of persons who are
deaf or hard of hearing.

        While WDW is committed to continuing its exploration of new
and improved methods and services, the following represents an
agreement between WDW and the Department as to effective
communication at this time:

        1.      WDW agrees to continue to provide those auxiliary aids
and services necessary for deaf and hearing-impaired individuals
to enjoy the programs and services at the Walt Disney World
Resort, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. S 12182(b)(2)(A)(iii).
While methods of complying with the ADA will differ depending
upon the particular attraction, such methods include, but are not
limited to: captioning; sign language interpreters; assistive
listening systems (ALS's); and written aids. This Agreement
provides for specific auxiliary aids for each attraction at Walt
Disney World as identified in Attachment A, which is incorporated
in this Agreement by reference. WDW's efforts to develop other
effective auxiliary aids will continue to evolve.

        2.      a.      WDW shall make interpreting services available at
the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney-MGM Studios on a rotating
scheduled basis so that guests will know precisely when those
services are available at the specific park. WDW's interpreters
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will be qualified sign language interpreters capable of oral or
ASL interpretations. The schedule will alternate at each of the
three parks in rotation so that one performance of each
identified show will be interpreted on the day scheduled for
interpreting, timed to permit guests to attend all the
interpreted shows at that park on that day. Guests with hearing
disabilities who wish to see those interpreted performances must
notify WDW Guest Services at least fourteen (14) days prior to
the day and date upon which services are to be scheduled. In
special circumstances, such as a visit of three days or less when
interpreting is not available at the guest's park of choice, WDW
shall also make an effort to provide interpreter services on a
day on which they are not regularly scheduled. It is the
parties' hope and expectation that the two-week notice
requirement will be reduced to one week, or less, no later than
December 31, 1998, unless WDW informs the Department on or before
November 1, 1998, that there is good cause for not being able to
shorten the two week notice provision.

                b.      Guests who wish to request interpreted
performances of: (i) Epcot World Showcase street-type
entertainers; (ii) America Gardens performances; or (iii) House
of Invention, none of which will appear on the interpreter
schedule must request the interpreter services at least 14 days
prior to the date on which they would like the services. Among
these events, which may change from time to time, are currently
included: Voices of Liberty; Le Clown Gordoon; Jon Armstrong
Magic Show; Pam Brody; World Showcase Players; Canadian Comedy
Corps.

                c.      Guests requiring interpreter services shall
identify themselves to WDW personnel at the attraction scheduled
for interpreting and the guest and one companion shall be
provided seating that will permit them to see the interpreter
without obstacles or interference during the attraction or event.

                d.      WDW will of course impose no surcharge on persons
with disabilities to cover the cost of providing any auxiliary
aids, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. S 12182(b)(2)(A)(i).

                e.      Printed interpreter schedules will be available at
all Guest Services locations. Interpreter information is also
available from Guest Services by telephone and on the WDW site on
the Internet.

        3.      WDW has been working on developing discrete captioning
for attractions at Walt Disney World for a number of years. As a
result of those efforts and the Department's assistance, WDW can
and will provide captioning services at various attractions as
set forth on Attachment A. These services shall be available
regardless of date or time and without advance notice
requirements. Any guest may obtain information regarding
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captioning services and any auxiliary aids or devices at Guest
Services locations.

        4.      For those attractions at which interpreters or
captioning are not currently provided under this Agreement, WDW
will continue to evaluate and develop technologies or other
methods of providing more effective communication for hard of
hearing or deaf guests. In the interim, where written aids are
the only auxiliary aid presently available, hard of hearing or
deaf guests and a companion shall be allowed to experience the
ride or attraction a second time promptly, being seated by WDW
personnel at the next available performance or rotation of the
attraction, if they identify themselves as a person with a
hearing disability at the entrance to the ride or attraction.

        5.      WDW shall promote the availability of its services for
persons who are deaf or hard of hearing in print and other
marketing media. The parties recognize that publication of the
availability of the services for its deaf and hard of hearing
guests, as well as the interpreter schedules, is essential to
this Agreement. WDW agrees to make one distribution of
information about the availability of its services for deaf and
hard of hearing persons to major organizations for the deaf and
hard of hearing communities, identified by the Department, within
a reasonable time following the date of this Agreement.

        6.      As the parties have discussed, as part of WDW's ongoing
efforts, WDW shall continue to evaluate the effectiveness of
auxiliary aids and explore methods and technologies in a wide
variety of areas including those where WDW is, or will be,
providing interpreters or captions. In that regard, WDW shall
notify the Department every six months as to any changes and
developments in the types of auxiliary aids provided until
December 1, 2000, and the parties will cooperate towards
determining whether captioning or interpreters are feasible and
acceptable for any WDW attraction where they are not already
provided on that date.

        7.      WDW is expanding the scope and depth of employee
training in disability awareness, etiquette, and services
available, consistent with the employee's responsibilities. Such
training includes, as applicable, treatment of guests with
disabilities, the availability of services and auxiliary aids,
and procedures and policies regarding guests with disabilities.
WDW will continue to improve upon the training and training
techniques and consider new and better ways of informing its'
cast members in this area whenever possible. WDW shall provide
training materials to the Department for periodic review, upon
request from the Department.

        8.      WDW will continue to provide a complaint procedure for
guests including complaints regarding treatment of guests with

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hearing disabilities and availability of auxiliary aids. All WDW
Guest Services employees located at any Guest Services location
shall be trained to respond to questions or complaints about;
current policies for addressing the needs of guests with
disabilities, information about available transcripts, paper and
pencil, and emergency procedures for persons who are deaf or hard
of hearing.

        9.      WDW will conform the aids and services at the Disneyland
attractions comparable to those at Walt Disney World identified
on Attachment A.

        10.     The parties understand that nothing contained in this
Agreement limits in any way the Department's ability to enforce
the ADA against WDW in the future should it not be in compliance
with the ADA. Nor does it limit, in any way, WDW's ability to
assert any legal defenses available to such claims. Also, by not
seeking enforcement of any specific term of this Agreement,
neither the Department nor WDW shall have waived its rights, to
enforce any other portion of this Agreement. This Agreement does
not compromise WDW's continuing obligation to comply with all
aspects of the ADA.

        11.     This Agreement is a public document. Copies of this
document, attachments, exhibits, and any information contained in
them may be made available to any person at any time. The
Department shall provide copies of these documents to any person
upon request.

        12.     This Agreement fully and accurately reflects the
agreement of the signers and no other statement, promise, or
agreement, either written or oral, made by either party that is
not contained in this written agreement, shall be enforceable.

        13.     This Agreement shall be effective as of the date set
forth below, and it shall be binding on WDW and its successors in
interest. WDW will notify any such successors in interest.

(Signature)                                     (Signature)
Walt Disney World Co.                           DEVAL L. PATRICK
by: Corporate Officer                           Assistant Attorney General
                                                Civil Rights Division
                                                United States Department
DATE: 17 January 1997                              of Justice
               ATTACHMENT "A" TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
                        OF AMERICA AND WALT DISNEY WORLD CO.

1.      Where no auxiliary aids are required pursuant to the terms
of the Agreement, the item is listed as "no aid necessary."

2.      "Written aids" are currently available.

3.      "Interpreters" are currently available, or will be made
available at Walt Disney World no later than March 1, 1997, and
at Disneyland no later than December 1, 1997.

4.     "Captions" refer to closed captioning systems that are
currently available or will be made available no later than
December 31, 1997.

5.      Attractions identified with an asterisk (*) are being given
priority in evaluating feasibility of captioning.

6.      Attractions identified with a double asterisk (**) are being
given priority in evaluating feasibility of using interpreters.

7.      At attractions identified with a pound sign (#), guests who
are deaf or hard of hearing will be allowed to promptly ride the
attraction a second time. See Agreement, paragraph 6.

MAGIC KINGDOM

FRONTIERLAND

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad                   No aid necessary.

Country Bear Jamboree                           Captions at main event
                                                by 12/31/97.

The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue              Interpreter at main event
                                                currently available.

Frontierland Shootin' Arcade                    No aid necessary.

#Splash Mountain                                Written aid.

Tom Sawyer Island                               No aid necessary.

Walt Disney World Railroad                      Interpreter at main event
                                                by 3/1/97.

LIBERTY SQUARE

The Hall of Presidents                          Captions at main event
                                                currently available.
#The Haunted Mansion                            Written aid; See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

Liberty Square Riverboat (Liberty Belle)        Interpreter at main event
                                                by 3/1/97.

Mike Fink Keelboats (seasonal)                  Interpreter at main event
                                                by 3/1/97.
ADVENTURELAND

Jungle Cruise                                   Interpreter at main event
                                                currently available.

#Pirates of the Caribbean                       Written aid; See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

Swiss Family Treehouse                          No aid necessary.

*,# The Enchanted Tiki Birds                    Written aid; See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

FANTASYLAND

Castle Forecourt Stage                          Interpreter at main event
                                                currently available.

Cinderella's Golden Carousel                    No aid necessary.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant                       No aid necessary.

#"It's a Small World"                           Written aid. See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

Legend of the Lion King                         Written aid at preshow;
                                                Captions at main event
                                                by 12/31/97.

Mad Tea Party                                   No aid necessary.

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#Mr. Toad's Wild Ride                           Written aid.

Peter Pan's Flight                              Written aid.

Skyway To Tomorrowland                          No aid necessary.

#Snow White's Adventures                        Written aid.

"The Sword in the Stone"                        Interpreter at main event
                                                currently available.

MICKEY'S TOONTOWN FAIR

The Barnstormer                                 No aid necessary.

Toontown Hall of Fame                           No aid necessary.

Mickey's Country House                          Captions on videos by
                                                12/31/97.

TOMORROWLAND

The Timekeeper (circlevision)                   Captions at preshow
                                                and main event by 12/31/97.

*,# Walt Disney's Carousel                      Captions at preshow by
of Progress                                     12/31/97; Written aid for main
                                                event; See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

Take Flight                                     Written aid.

Tomorrowland Speedway                           No aid necessary.

Alien Encounter:                                Captions at preshow by
ExtraTERRORestrial                              12/31/97; Written aid for main
                                                event; See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

Space Mountain                                  Captions at preshow by
                                                12/31/97; no aid necessary for
                                                main event.

Astro Orbiter                                   No aid necessary.
                                3

Galaxy Palace Theater                           Interpreter at main
                                                event currently available.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority                  No aid necessary.

MAINSTREET, U.S.A.

Main Street Cinema                              Captions at main event by
                                                12/31/97.

Main Street Vehicles                            No aid necessary.

Magic Kingdom Parade                            Interpreter by 3/1/97.

EPCOT

#, ** Horizons                                  Written aid; See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

#Body Wars                                      Captions at preshow by
12/31/97;                                       written aid at main
                                                event.

Cranium Command                                 Captions at preshow
                                                and main event by 12/31/97.

The Making of Me                                Captions at main event by
                                                12/31/97.

Met Lifestyle Revue                             Captions on computer
                                                monitors currently available.

Wonders of Life
Anacomical Players                              Interpreter at main event
                                                currently available.

Coach's Corner                                  Captions by 12/31/97.

Frontiers of Medicine                           Captions by 12/31/97.

Wondercyles                                     No aid necessary.

Video Voyage                                    Captions by 12/31/97.

                                4
Goofy About Health                              Written aid;
                                                see Agreement, paragraph 6.

Sensory FunHouse                                No aid necessary.

#Ellen's Energy Adventure                       Written aid; See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

Innoventions Plaza --

Interactive Activity Center                     Contracts with third party
                                                participants will encourage
                                                them to be responsive to
                                                considerations of effective
                                                communication to deaf and
                                                hard of hearing guests.

House of Innovention                            Interpreter for tour upon
                                                special request currently
                                                available.

#Space Ship Earth                               Written aid; See Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

Global Neighborhood

(Interactive Activity Center)                   Captions by 12/31/97.

The Living Seas                                 Preshow captions by 12/31/97;
                                                interpreter at main event
                                                currently available.

The Land Boat Ride                              Interpreter at main event
                                                currently available.

The Circle of Life                              Captions at preshow
                                                and main event by 12/31/97.

Food Rocks                                      Captions by 12/31/97.

Behind the Seeds, Greenhouse tour

(reservations required, $6 fee)                 Interpreter upon special
                                                request currently available.

Future Corps (brass band)                       No aid necessary.

Journey Into Imagination                        Written aid; see Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.
                                5

Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (3D movie)         Captions at main event by
                                                12/31/97.

The Image Works (A Creative Playground)         Caption on monitors by
                                                12/31/97.

WORLD SHOWCASE

World Class Brass                               No aid necessary.

1. Mexico
El Rio del Tiempo                               Written aid, see Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

2. Norway
#Maelstrom                                      Captions at post-show by
                                                12/31/97; written aid
                                                at main event.

3. China
Wonders of China (Circlevision)                 Captions at main
                                                event by 12/31/97.

Dragon: Ruler of the Wind and Waves
(art exhibit)                                   No aid necessary.

Si Zhu (flute/zither)                           No aid necessary.

Pu Yang Acrobats                                No aid necessary.

Flying Dragon Variety Troupe                    No aid necessary.

4. Germany
Biergarten Restaurant                           Interpreter upon special
                                                request by 3/1/97.
                                6
6. Italy
I Cantanapoli (quartet)                         No aid necessary.

7. The American Adventure
The American Adventure Exhibit                  Captions at preshow
                                                and main event by 12/31/97.

Voices of Liberty (vocals)                      Interpreter upon special
                                                request by 3/1/97.

Sons of Liberty (fife and drum)                 No aid necessary.

America Gardens Theater                         Interpreter upon special
                                                request by 3/1/97 when
                                                performances are scheduled.

8. Japan
One World Taiko (drum duos)                     No aid necessary.

Matsuriza (traditional drumming)                No aid necessary.

Cirikli (dancing)                               No aid necessary.

9. Morocco
Festival Marrakesh                              No aid necessary.

The Houzali Troupe (acrobats)                   No aid necessary.

10. France
Impressions de France                           Captions at main event
                                                by 12/31/97.

Le Clown Gordoon                                Interpreter upon special
                                                request by 3/1/97.

11. United Kingdom
Caledonia Bagpipes                              No aid necessary.

                                7
Jon Armstrong (magic show)                      Interpreter upon special
                                                request by 3/1/97.

Pam Brody (pianist/entertainer)                 Interpreter upon special
                                                request by 3/1/97.

World Showcase Players (Street Theater)         Interpreter upon special
                                                request by 3/1/97.

The British Invasion (60's music)               No aid necessary.

The Pipes of Scotland                           No aid necessary.

13. Canada
O Canada (circlevision)                         Captions at main event
                                                by 12/31/97.

Canadian Comedy Corps                           Interpreter upon special
                                                request by 3/1/97.

The Pipes of Nova Scotia                        No aid necessary.

DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS

Theatre of the Stars -- Beauty and the Beast    Interpreter at main
                                                event currently available.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid                    Captions at main event
                                                by 12/31/97.

The Monster Sound Show                          Interpreter at main
                                                event by 3/1/97.

Backlot Theatre -- "Disney's The Hunchback
of Notre Dame..." (show)                        Interpreter at main event
                                                currently available.

SuperStar Television                            Captions at preshow and
                                                main event by 12/31/97.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular            Interpreter at main
                                                event currently available.

                                8
The Walt Disney Theater and "Post               Captions at preshow ("Post
Production".                                    Production") and main event by
                                                12/31/97.

Disney's Toy Story Parade                       Interpreter at main event by
                                                3/1/97.

#Twilight Zone Tower of Terror                  Captions at preshow by
                                                12/31/97; written aid at
                                                main event.

Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 4D                   Captions at preshow and
                                                main event by 12/31/97.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Movie Set Adventure (playground)                No aid necessary.

Backstage Pass to "101 Dalmations"              Captions on monitors by
                                                12/31/97.

Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour                 Captions at preshow by
and Tank Show (preshow) and                     12/31/97; interpreter at main

AFI Showcase (postshow)                         event currently available; and
                                                captions at postshow by
                                                12/31/97.

Animation Tour                                  Captions at preshow by
                                                12/31/97; interpreter
                                                at main event by 3/1/97.

#Star Tours                                     Captions at preshow by
                                                12/31/97; written aid at
                                                main event.

#, ** The Great Movie Ride                      Written aid; see Agreement,
                                                paragraph 6.

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