To mark International Day of Sign Languages, Disneyland Paris reaffirms its commitment to inclusion and accessibility, for both its Guests and Cast Members. On September 22, several initiatives around French Sign Language (LSF) brought together young people, Cast Members and Disney VoluntEARS through learning, sharing and meaningful exchange.
INJS students become Michael Jérémiasz’s coaches
Twelve high school students from the National Institute for Deaf Youth (INJS), accompanied by three teachers, were welcomed at Disneyland Paris for a meeting with Michaël Jérémiasz, former French Paralympic wheelchair tennis champion and gold medalist in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
The day began with an introductory French Sign Language workshop, during which the students took on the role of coaches, helping Michael learn the language.
The session gave the students an opportunity to share their knowledge while highlighting their own learning journey. The meeting continued with Michael about his personal experience and the role of sport in promoting inclusion.
Marie-Françoise Arrighi, CSR Coordinator at Disneyland Paris, said: “It is important to create opportunities for young people to exchange, share their experiences and play an active role in raising awareness around these topics. This meeting with Michael gave them the opportunity to share their knowledge and showcase their own journey.”
The day continued in the park, where two Disney VoluntEARS accompanied the students as they explored Disneyland Paris.
Learning Sign Language to better understand Guests
In parallel, four introductory LSF sessions were offered to Disney VoluntEARS and Cast Members. The sessions gave participants the opportunity to learn basic Sign Language skills that can be useful in their future support missions, while also helping them better understand the accessibility and communication needs of deaf people.
Sylvie Bracquemond, Head of HR Social Policies at Disneyland Paris, said: “These initiatives are a concrete reflection of our commitment to inclusion. By giving our Cast Members the opportunity to learn Sign Language, we are helping them communicate more effectively with deaf people and contribute to an increasingly inclusive experience.”
Two Cast Members who took part in one of the sessions said: “These introductory sessions help us understand the importance of communication and feel more confident when interacting with deaf people. They may seem like small steps, but they can make a real difference in our interactions.
Inclusion starts with communication
Beyond the facilities and measures put in place to make the experience increasingly accessible, inclusion also depends on awareness, training and opportunities to connect with one another. By giving its Cast Members the tools to communicate more effectively with deaf people, Disneyland Paris continues its commitment to creating an increasingly inclusive experience.
The resort continues to expand its approach to accessibility as part of its commitment to creating a welcoming environment for our cast members and guests. For more information, visit the Accessibility page on the Disneyland Paris News website.