The Gold Autism Award, accepted by Greg Hale, Chief Safety Officer and Vice President of Worldwide Standards and Auditing, was presented by Ivan Corea, father of an autistic child, Charin Corea. The award recognizes Disney’s initiatives to help guests with disabilities navigate the Walt Disney World Resort properties in an easy and effortless way.

Charin has inspired an entire autism movement in the United Kingdom. His parents initiated 2002 as Autism Awareness Year and they founded Autism Sunday which is now a massive international event celebrated in many countries including the United States. The inspiration behind all of this is Charin, a teenager with autism spectrum disorder  and a communication disorder, who has inspired world leaders to speak up for people with autism and Asperger syndrome.

“I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they are at the park.  I want them to feel they are in another world,” said Corea quoting Walt Disney. “Disney World does just that, and makes it possible for (my son) Charin and other guests to truly enjoy their time in the parks because of its excellent attention and service.”

Raising awareness about autism and the needs of those who suffer from this condition is the main goal of the UK Autism Foundation.

Disney works to accommodate guests with disabilities by appropriately training Cast Members, making the latest technology available to guests and constantly reviewing policies and procedures that govern park operations. In addition, guests with disabilities can plan their park experience  by reviewing a copy of the Guide for Guests with Disabilities.

“Part of Disney’s heritage is to have no one feel excluded,” said Hale. “Our goal here is to make experiences accessible to any guest that enters the parks.”

To learn more about Disney services for guests with disabilities please visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guests-with-disabilities/

The post Disney Receives Gold Autism Award appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #254 for the week of December 25, 2011.

I’ll open up the inbox this week and answer more of your questions about your Walt Disney World vacation plans, history, tips, advice and more. Some of the topics we’ll cover this week include: the opening of the New Fantasyland, tips for adults in the Magic Kingdom, guests with special needs, a Tron attraction, a 4-day trip plan, tours for the entire family, some history and trivia about a themed restaurant that’s long been closed, and a question for you about bringing back some classic, extinct attractions

I’ll have a few announcements, including more information about WDW Radio events during next month’s Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, and then play more of your voicemails at the end of the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Information and Links from This Week’s Show:

Question for YOU: What do you think about a Classic/Extinct Attraction Walt Disney World park?

• Private Tours of Walt Disney World
• Disney Fan Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations at DisneyMeets.com
• WDWNewsCast – Watch & chat during our LIVE NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET – Be part of the broadcast & discuss live in the chat room at http://WDWNewsCast.com
• WDW Radio on YouTube – Watch past episodes, subscribe to the show and comment on the WDWRadio YouTube Channel

The post Show # 254 – December 25, 2011 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.