Disneyland Paris is introducing a new accessibility programme on December 3, giving personal autonomy to visitors with disabilities and special needs.
The new accessibility programme will empower visitors with disabilities and special needs when it launches on December 3, marking the International Day of Disabled Persons 2021.
The resort is evolving its approach to accessibility, no longer determining access to attractions based on disability categories so that guests can decide which rides they want to enjoy.
“Our new accessibility program is a major step forward in our commitment to accessibility at Disneyland Paris, enabling every guest to experience the magic of Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park,” said Daniel Delcourt, senior VP at Disneyland Paris.
Personal autonomy for disabled guests
“Our guests and cast members have always been at the heart of our approach to accessibility. Disneyland Paris is committed to listening and learning from our guests, cast members and accessibility experts to develop new standards of inclusion in the French theme park industry.”
Disneyland Paris believes that guests are in the best position to determine what they are capable of. The accessibility programme will focus on guest autonomy and increase the number of accessible attractions.
It will also remove the requirement for disabled guests to be accompanied on attractions, and provide a 25 percent discount for disabled guests and an accompanying carer.
“With the launch of a new accessibility program, Disneyland Paris is setting a new standard for best-in-class practices in how we think about accessibility by offering more individualized attention for the unique circumstances of each guest,” said Michaël Jeremiasz, Paralympic athlete.
Disney evolving approach to accessibility
Disneyland Paris welcomed more than 125,000 visitors with disabilities and special needs in 2019. In recent years, the resort has invested in making the entire destination even more accessible.
In addition, cast members with disabilities now represent 5.9 percent of the total staff at Disneyland Paris.
Elsewhere, Merlin is set to provide vision-enhancing medical devices for people with visual impairments at attractions across North America.
The Van Abbemuseum recently opened a multi-sensory exhibition featuring 120 accessible artworks, and the Van Gogh Museum has introduced a touchable scale model of the building for blind and partially-sighted visitors.
Images: Disneyland Paris
