Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights Breaks New Ground with ASL-Inclusive ‘A Quiet Place’ Haunted House
Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights breaks new ground in accessibility with its “A Quiet Place”-themed haunted house. For the first time, the attraction incorporates American Sign Language (ASL) to create an authentic experience that reflects the deaf community. This innovative approach includes a pre-show video entirely in ASL with open captioning, introducing the story and teaching guests key ASL phrases they will need to “survive” the haunted house.
Inside the attraction, traditional haunted house elements have been reimagined to be more inclusive. There is no background music or spoken dialogue, save for a few strategically placed screams. Instead, scare actors use sign language to communicate with guests, creating a unique sensory experience. The house also employs visual and tactile elements, such as low-frequency vibrations, to enhance immersion for all guests, regardless of hearing ability.
This commitment to accessibility extends beyond a single attraction. Universal Studios has worked closely with experts and members of the deaf community to ensure authenticity and respect. The National Association of the Deaf has praised this effort, noting that it fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion for deaf and hard-of-hearing guests. By incorporating sign language and deaf experiences into a mainstream attraction, Universal is not only offering equal access, but also educating the general public about deaf culture in an entertaining and engaging way.
Halloween Horror Nights begins September 5 at Universal Studios Hollywood and August 30 at Universal Orlando Resort.
Claude, a potential tool for increasing accessibility, was used to aid in the research and writing of this blog post. Do you think this is an appropriate use of chatGPT? Why or why not? Let me know!
