For Purple Tuesday — "the global initiative to improve the customer experience for disabled people and their families" — the Westfield London shopping centre ran a spectacular drone light show. The fleet of over 500 unmanned aerial vehicles was used to visually narrate a children's book as part of this initiative promoting greater accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
The Westfield London shopping centre ensured that the spectacle was more inclusive than traditional public displays. Key modifications included a significant reduction in auditory output to accommodate those with sensory sensitivities and the integration of a British Sign Language interpreter to ensure the story was accessible to deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers.
The drone light show was offered free of charge to the public and local community groups.
Image Credit: Westfield London
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Inclusive Public Events
- Public events adopting inclusive practices by integrating sign language interpreters and reducing sensory output can significantly enhance accessibility for diverse audiences.
- Sensory-friendly Entertainment
- Creating sensory-friendly entertainment experiences, such as low-auditory drone shows, caters to individuals with sensory sensitivities, broadening audience engagement.
- Accessible Technology Utilization
- Leveraging technology like drones to narrate stories visually sets a precedent for accessibility adaptations in storytelling mediums.
Sectors Adopting This
- Event Planning
- The event planning industry can explore innovations like accessibility-focused modifications to cater to wider audiences, enhancing user experience.
- Drone Technology
- Drone technology firms have the opportunity to specialize in creating accessible shows that accommodate varying needs, tapping into underserved markets.
- Children's Entertainment
- Children's entertainment can be transformed by utilizing visual storytelling techniques that are inclusive, such as drone shows interpreting books.
