Hong Kong Disneyland commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities with inclusive cavalcade
Hong Kong Disneyland commemorated the 30th anniversary of International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, December 3, 2022. The resort demonstrated its commitment to inclusion with a character cavalcade, joined by over a thousand invited guests with various disabilities and honored guests from the Hong Kong disability community.
By Rebecca W. Davis
“At Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, we believe magic is for everyone,” said Michael Moriarty, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. “We will continue to work closely with our valued community organizations on this journey of fostering inclusivity and developing Hong Kong Disneyland Resort as a place where people of all abilities can shine.”
After the ceremony at the Castle of Magical Dreams, an inclusive cavalcade, “Wondrous Dancing for All,” proceeded down Main Street, U.S.A. The cavalcade included groups with various disabilities, such as a group of wheelchair dancers from the Hong Kong Wheelchair Dance Sport Association and wheelchair basketball players from the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth performing alongside Hong Kong Disneyland performers and Disney VoluntEARs. A group with hearing impairments from the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong danced in the cavalcade using integrated theatrical sign language.
In order to support the community and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of International Day of Persons With Disabilities, Hong Kong Disneyland is donating more than 10,000 park tickets to people with disabilities through Hong Kong Council of Social Service and Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities. The resort also recently introduced a pilot program for theatrical interpretation as part of the park’s award-winning Halloween show “Let’s Get Wicked” and live musical “Mickey and the Wondrous Book.”
Hong Kong Disneyland collaborated with community organizations to provide a “Barrier-Free Ambassadors Training Program” for cast members in order to help them better understand needs of guests with disabilities and how best to assist them. For these and other efforts, Hong Kong Disneyland has been acknowledged as part of the Hong Kong Council of Social Services “List of Barrier-Free Companies” for its achievements in accessibility.
