Possible Sub-Forum for disABILITIES! Please Read Carefully and Comment

[Cheshire Figment]

This is a subject SueM in MN and I have discussed even prior to my becoming a moderator. We would like opinions and comments before going forward. Please read this and think about it for a while before responding.

We have noticed that about 20% to 25% of the threads are not Disney related but involve concerns about children with physical, mental and/or emotional problems. Some start out that way, and others start as Disney related but then take on a new life.

We do not want to discourage these threads, as in a way they are indirectly Disney related. Just as other forums have sub-forums, we have been thinking of asking the Webmasters to create a sub-forum with the title “Special Needs”.

It would be for asking and giving advice concerning life or lifestyle needs of people, especially children. Examples would involve difficulties with schools or neighbors, or just how people can adapt in a non-Disney situation. It could also be used for venting when a school does not cooperate. Of course people would still have to be civil; if there are disagreements the ideas should be discussed or challenged, not the person doing the posting.

The main board would be used for posts having a direct question or report concerning WDW. This will assist people who are looking specifically for Disney or WDW related information.

Please think about this for a while before responding. Please not only state if you agree or disagree but also explain your reasoning. Before we approach the Webmasters on this we want to be able to give them information about what our (regular) users think of this idea.

Just as disABILITIES! has a subtitle of “Share tips and information on touring Disney World with disabilities”, if you feel this sub-forum would be useful also suggest both a title and subtitle.

Also realize that although we think it would be a good idea, we do not ourselves have the authority to create a sub-forum, but we can go to the Webmasters and show both need and support for it to happen. They may decide that since it generally takes an item three or four days to move off our first page that they do not want to create a sub-forum.

Thank you,
Sue and Mike

[pokemon_master]

I think it's a nice idea; one of the reasons why I didn't come to this board in the first place was because I thought my posts had to be linked to the parks themselves.

If you can do a RSS feed for it that would be great! :thumbsup2:

[Meezers]

I also agree! I have gotten some great help here for adults with post traumatic stress!

Good idea....let me know if I can help!

[Tissa]

I think it's a great idea. Sometimes posts get lost in the crowd and if there was a sub forum it would be easier to look and search for park specific issues.

[karynnix]

I hate to disagree, but I don't feel like this board is so busy that the posts get lost. My posts usually stay on the first page for a few weeks. I like having all of the posts in one place.

[Chuck-PA]

Great idea. Here's hoping that it does happen.

[Carnator]

sounds good to me

:moped: Dec 06 for :santa:

[mamaminnie]

I hate to disagree, but I don't feel like this board is so busy that the posts get lost. My posts usually stay on the first page for a few weeks. I like having all of the posts in one place.

I agree with karynnix.

[Selket]

I like the idea. I know when some of the other boards had a spin off- like the Codes and Rates for the hotels board - I thought I wouldn't like it but actually it works out well. If it is a sub-forum of this board it is easier to find. If it is put with the Community Board area (wherever that is - I forget) then it might get overlooked....or will take longer to get used to anyway.

I think people with general questions would be more likely to post them.

On the other hand there are already excellent and active forums out there dealing with my specific issues for my child (diabetes, peanut allergy, asthma). But I think some folks on this board have a bond with others (in similar situations or across situations) so they might like seeking advice from there Disboard friends.

I guess it shouldn't be limited to special needs of children but to all users with special needs issues/questions.

I don't have a title - you're getting paid the big bucks here CF so you come up with one! :teeth:

[terri01p]

Well I for one would love to have a " special needs forum ", as a parent of a "special needs child ( really an adult ) " there have been things I would have love to discuss with others but because it hasn't been disney related I haven't because I do keep in mind that this is a disney "fun" forum. I really have no outlet in my city to talk to others about my dd, and would love to be able to talk about some sensitive areas without the embarrassment of knowing that it was really nothing to do with wdw and shouldn't have been posted. :surfweb:

[XYSRUS]

I, too, like the idea. Although I would maybe name it something else to show the "special needs" are more everyday stuff people need help with. Either way I vote yes!

[riu girl]

I hate to disagree, but I don't feel like this board is so busy that the posts get lost. My posts usually stay on the first page for a few weeks. I like having all of the posts in one place.

:thumbsup2

What about instead simply changing the name of this board to disABILITIES and community board?

[Talking Hands]

As long as it is a subforum under DISabilities and is not a specific focus on just special needs kids I think it would be a good idea. After all some of us do not have special needs kids but have DISabilities that we would like to vent about occasionally.

[kimbac3]

sounds good to me :thumbsup2

Kimba

[Purple Princess]

I also agree with karynnix. This board isn't busy to where we are taking up space by asking others opinions etc.

I tried to stay on topic, actually i did, but still got scolded or whatever for asking a question to a poster about the restrooms at Disney etc.

I see no need at this time to start a seperate area. I actually feel sad for those who may have posted wanting others thoughts and opinions on a situation with their special loved one. Now this is like slapping them in the face for doing so.

Just my thoughts on the subject.......

[kaytieeldr]

I think it's a reasonable idea, and would support the "Special Needs" subforum on the disABILITIES forum.

I realize this forum isn't as widely-used as some of the other DIS forums, but I do see what appears to me to be a fair number of non-Disney-travel related posts. Creating the subforum would enable members and visitors seeking Disney-specific information to find it easily - on the main board - while separately giving everyone a forum for support, for sharing non-travel information, for just letting being able to 'talk' about issues.

I don't agree it'd be like a slap in the face to anyone. Instead, it seems the subforum would give EVERYONE a place to discuss things that are bothering them, ask for advice, etc.

[Poohnatic]

I agree with Karynnix. This board isn't so busy that a subforum is needed.

Yes, it'd be good to have a separate special needs area, but everyone has always been extremely helpful with any SN posts. :) Unlike some of the other forums, there isn't anything that would truly be off topic if it's in the disability spectrum.

Suzanne

[kaytieeldr]

Moderators: If we did get a subforum, couldn't it alse be used for general venting? I mean, I'd like to be able to discuss, oh, general misuse of handicapped parking - but since my observations aren't Disney-related, posting on a subforum UNDER disABILITIES makes more sense than posting in the main forum, and much more sense than using the Community Board...

[michelle9343]

I think the sub forum would be a good idea.

[Brightsy]

I think a subforum is a wonderful idea. As many others have said, it'll make things easier for folks coming in looking for Disney Specific info if they don't have to wade through all the non-Disney related stuff.
Yes, there are a lot of groups, boards, and other lists out there catering to the special needs community but this place, DisBoards, is special. I've come here w/ Non-Disney related subjects many times. I've gotten more support here than almost anywhere else. Our shared love of the Mouse is another link that connects us all.
A forum where being off topic, Disney wise, gives us all another safe place to vent, to seek advice, to share those warm and funny stories.
W/ a subforum we can have our cake and eat it too!

Sara

[phorsenuf]

I know I don't post here often but I do read. I am mixed on the idea of a sub-board. Things don't move here all the fast sometimes but then again sometimes it's tough to wade through or wonder if you should evenpost because it's not Disney related.
If there is a sub-board I hope it would encompass all areas of disabilities and not just children.
I have one of those fun invisible disabilities and I like coming here and reading posts from others who have them too. I just wouldn't like it be set up to kinda cater to one area only.
I know there are plenty of other boards out there (which I need to find) that focus on certain conditions but like somebody else here said there is that bond already and I'm sure alot of posters feel more comfortable here posting than in new enviroments.
I suppose my suggestion is if you're going to add one, why not 2. One for children and one for adults.

[dclfun]

I like the board the way it is and would wonder how "Special Needs" would even belong on a DISboard forum, which is all supposed to relate to Disney. Sometimes people branch out on a topic to help each other which is fine to me. If I see a thread on which I have no experience, I usually just skip it. Perhaps if a thread is started that relates only to someones SN, if we list it as OT that might be best? Just thinking....---Kathy

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I like the idea of a sub-forum for non-disney special needs. This is a great community here on the Dis, and I know that I can ask both Disney and off-topic questions and get insightful, non-judgmental feedback from other people who understand the many facets of being a special needs family.

I do not mind having the non-disney questions on the main disAbilities page but at the same time it would be nice to have a "home" where they were not "off topic" questions. It would feel more comfortable to know that the general questions are ok, rather than worrying that my "OT-to nut allergy parents" thread is bothering someone looking for Disney information.

[shovan]

I don't find the board all the busy or difficult to navigate either. I would not have a problem with a sub-forum but would not want one that focused on just children either.
Unless we were told to stop posting on other disability issues, right now I don't see the need for a sub-forum.
I have found this board very helpful.

[forr2grls]

I think it is a good idea. Just have a general disabilites sub-forum so not to leave anyone out. Like many here have stated there are disabitlity specific sites out there,think if anyone wants that info maybe we could even get a sticky that we can post those sites on.Just a thought. Thanks for asking for our feedback!


Paula

[spotdog]

As a "grown up" who loves to vacation at Disney, but lives everyday with mental illness/anxiety issues I do not mind at all if topics stray from "Disney Park" issues. Whether I am at a Disney park or hotel or working and living at home my challenges are the same. :confused3

[Annam26]

Moderators: If we did get a subforum, couldn't it alse be used for general venting? I mean, I'd like to be able to discuss, oh, general misuse of handicapped parking - but since my observations aren't Disney-related, posting on a subforum UNDER disABILITIES makes more sense than posting in the main forum, and much more sense than using the Community Board...

What she said... :)

[Mike Bartenhagen]

I like the board the way it is and would wonder how "Special Needs" would even belong on a DISboard forum, which is all supposed to relate to Disney. Sometimes people branch out on a topic to help each other which is fine to me. If I see a thread on which I have no experience, I usually just skip it. Perhaps if a thread is started that relates only to someones SN, if we list it as OT that might be best? Just thinking....---Kathy

I agree with Kathy. I am not sure how a Special Needs sub forum would belong here. I come here to look for specific information on disabilities and Disney and if some of the topics branch out that's fine. If I am looking for non Disney info there are a lot of groups for that already.

Mike

[LindaBabe]

I like the idea of a subforum - not specifically focused on children, but on 'disAbilities not Disney'.

Yes, this board doesn't move fast, but I feel it would be easier to find answers to Disney related questions if the general questions were seperated and likewise easier to find support in a general area if I didn't need to wade through the disney questions.

I don't belong to any other disability related boards. I feel comfortable here. People are already united by their common love of Disney.

Whatever happens - thank you for caring and investing your time and energy in thinking of the ideas that might make this a better place.

[Zoemakes5]

I'm kinda mixed on this one. One of the things I see happen all the time when sub-forums (or new forums) are created to sub-segment things, you lose the insight that the broader population on the forum brings. To use a non-disney example, on another board I go to, there's a product info. forum and a "general" forum. The product info. forum was created because so many of the posts in the general forum were about products. What's happened though, is that the product info. board tends to be slow and not a wide variety of responses, kind of only people looking for feedback, and the wealth of experience of those who have something to share didn't follow over. I'd hate to see that. People may respond with insight to a post even if they came to find out about busses to and from WDW. Maybe something hits home, or they've specifically experienced it and the figure "btdt, I have something to contribute."
However, I hate to think that there are people who are not posting because they feel their posts must be Disney related. I belong to a number of other forums on the Dis, and there are lots and lots of posts that have little or nothing to do with Disney at all. The budget board is one of them. If we were limited to just discussion of budget disney trips/tips, I think we'd have about 1/3 the amounts of posts.
Is there a way to be more inclusive in the "mission" or "guidelines" to welcome those who wish to talk about "broader" disability issues on our board and revisit the issue if/when we get too much movement on the board?

[Haley Whippet]

I agree with Karynnix. This board isn't so busy that a subforum is needed.

Yes, it'd be good to have a separate special needs area, but everyone has always been extremely helpful with any SN posts. :) Unlike some of the other forums, there isn't anything that would truly be off topic if it's in the disability spectrum.

Suzanne


I totally Agree :thumbsup2
Deb

[maynard]

i want to start by saying i really appreciate all the OT ideas and support i've gotten from this site! i know there are probably similar discussion boards on autism websites, but this one is so friendly and comfortable...plus there is the added benefit of hearing about people's vacations! (and then reliving my own great memories :) ) what i do is look at the thread title and go from there. people usually put key phrases like "GAC" or "ASD" in the title so i know it is relevent to what i'm looking for.

whatever you decide to do, i understand.

[MommytoMJM]

I think it's a great idea.

[LindsayDunn228]

I think it's a great idea. I was so excited to find a disabilites board on a WDW board, but was disappointed to see the majority of the posts were "my kid has ADD, my kid has Asperger's, my kids has SID" and a bunch of other acronyms I hadn't even heard of yet. I really was expecting this board to be Disney with a disbility. I think a lot of people would venture onto this board if there was a subforum and the WDW-related disabililty threads were on the main forum.

[JohnnySharp2]

Personally I think things are fine as they are, as others have said it is easy on this forum to browse through the threads on-going.

One thing I would consider changing is the forum title "Share tips and information on touring Disney World with disabilities". As many of the discussions do not necessarily relate to Disney World plus many people who use these boards do not visit WDW.

"A general discussion forum covering ALL aspects of dealing with disABILITIES" ??

[djblu883]

I think if some people are not posting and fell the need then it would be a good service to them. If they are not posting elsewhere and need this then please by all means give them what they NEED. I feel if it takes so little to help a few then by all means go for it....there is enough missed by the public at "large"...lets not be one of them...I'd gladly help anyone with special needs kids or adults alike with what knowledge I have as a physical therapist...good luck!!! :banana:

[kaytieeldr]

One thing I would consider changing is the forum title "Share tips and information on touring Disney World with disabilities". As many of the discussions do not necessarily relate to Disney World plus many people who use these boards do not visit WDW.

"A general discussion forum covering ALL aspects of dealing with disABILITIES" ??
I respectfully disagree with this suggestion. I think it's actually excellent support FOR creating a subforum. While, sure, a lot of people who use these boards don't visit Disney World, it really is the primary focus of the boards.

While I still don't have a suggestion for a subforum name, the description could be something like "Discuss non-travel-related special needs (and other) issues here".

[videogal1]

At last, a way to send those looking for general support for their personal medical concerns off to an appropriate internet support group and away from the Disney board where general medical support is not appropriate. Hope it works! :love:

[marybrat]

I think that's a good idea

[taximomfor4]

I hate to disagree, but I don't feel like this board is so busy that the posts get lost. My posts usually stay on the first page for a few weeks. I like having all of the posts in one place.


ITA with this post. This board moves at such a leisurely pace that nobody's questions are getting buried. I think if the pace picks up ever, THEN a sub will be a good idea. Until then, it will just make this board move even slower.

Beth

[JohnnySharp2]

I respectfully disagree with this suggestion. I think it's actually excellent support FOR creating a subforum. While, sure, a lot of people who use these boards don't visit Disney World, it really is the primary focus of the boards.

While I still don't have a suggestion for a subforum name, the description could be something like "Discuss non-travel-related special needs (and other) issues here".

That's fine it is all about opinions, personally the main reason I visit these boards is to discuss Florida, not necessarily WDW. In addition I do not think of WDW at all when looking on this forum, I just feel it is a general forum for disABILITIES, although I appreciate Disney does play a large part in the threads as a whole.

All said and done we all have a different viewpoint which is good, would be very boring if we all said exactly the same things.

[kaytieeldr]

You're not kidding, Johnny Boy! When something like that does happen (somebody trying to get everyone else to act or think like them), I always drag out the old Twilight Zone episode: "Number 17 Looks Just Like Me"! :teeth:

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

I love the fact that on this board, we have been able to talk about things at Disney and just general disability questions, etc. (actually, I'm kind of surprised that some people have not been happy about that). I'm also someone who just looks at the thread titles and read the ones that apply to my ds. I don't have a strong opinion either way about the sub-forum (because like others have said, the board doesn't move super fast), but I *DO* like the comfort zone here and would be sad if we couldn't ask a question unless it had to do with Disney. I know that there are other special needs forums out there, but hey, I'm on the DIS a lot, and it's super easy to just pop over to this section of the DIS and check in with others or get a couple of quick answers from people that we have TWO things in common with...special needs AND disney. :thumbsup2

[3DisneyNUTS]

I agree I like being able to discuss park related stuff and non park issues also. The special needs community is very open to sharing ideas and I have found tons of info where you would not think to look for it.
I think subs would be a good idea. I like to have things organized. Something like "Disney related" and "everythig else" could be the subforums.

[dclfun]

Just to reiterate again...these are the DISBOARDS, hence Disney-related. I don't see a general disabilities section being appropriate to a site that people go to for Disney related issues or that was set up for that reason. Since Dreams Unlimited sponsors this board, I don't see them wanting or needing to get involved with running a forum for disabilities. Why not run forums for those who have other special interests? It could get hairy. That said, when we branch off and go OT, I don't have a problem with that and would try and support anyone who came here with a general question whether it relates to Disney or not. It's usually easy to tell from the thread title and if it doesn't pertain to me or I have no input, I skip it. There are plenty of forums, for instance, for my specific disability and if I want to discuss that or get opinions, I go there. Since there are so many disabilities anyway and variations, I don't see "general disability discussion" to be pertinent to enough people to generate an entire forum. ---Kathy

[wvdislover]

Sounds like a great idea to me! Some people may feel discouraged from posting here b/c their problem isn't directly Disney-related, but could really use some help and encouragement.

[Cheshire Figment]

This weekend I'm doing an anaylsis of all the comments so we can go forward with the request. If anyone has not comments and wants to do so, please do.

[SueOKW]

I'm more distracted by the whipsadi threads than anything else. I suggest those get pinned or something else out of the way - some other posts may be dropping off page one as the participants look for support.

I probably would NOT check another board. I realize as an infrequent visitor my view may be skewed.

All the best and bring on the holidays! :wizard:

[SueM in MN]

I didn't want to post on this thread until quite a few people had an opportunity to give their opinions. This looks like a good time to step in since Cheshire Figment is doing the counting and tabulating.

Like many of the people who have already posted, I have mixed feelings.
I can see advantages and disadvantages of having a disABILITIES sub-forum.

I have seen people post questions on other boards sometimes where they say they know there is a disABILITIES Board, but didn't want to post here. Some said they didn't feel comfortable posting their question here because they looked at the discussions on this board and felt they were not 'disabled enough'. A disABILITIES Board just devoted to park/travel discussion and a disABILITIES sub-board devoted to more general discussions about disabilities might be quite helpful for those situations.

On the other hand, I agree with the posters who like only having one board and think a second board might not be read much.

I DO want to thank you all for sharing your frank opinions and some very good ideas. I know Cheshire Figment is compiling all the information/suggestions in order to figure out whether or not we should go ahead with a suggestion to the webmasters for a sub-forum. Even if we do suggest a sub-forum, we don't have any more power to make it happen than any other posters to this board. The Webmasters may feel not feel that one is not needed or may not the resources available to make one.


And, just some final words about the history of this board......

I joined the DIS Boards in Aug. 1999 and quickly found that there were very few posts about touring WDW with a disability.
And most of those were on the order of "You are so lucky you broke your leg. Now you'll get to use a wheelchair and go to the front of all the lines."
I started posting our experiences traveling with a person with multiple disabilities, using a wheelchair. I quickly learned how to use the SEARCH function and responded (or at least read) every post that had anything to do with wheelchairs or disabilities in general (being a nurse and having worked in schools and in Public Health, and having traveled to WDW a lot, I felt like I had some information that might be helpful to someone).

Sometime early in 2000, the idea of a disABILITIES Board came up. A poster named Wheelsie and I were asked to be moderators for this new board. I guess the Webmasters noticed I posted a lot - you might notice I currently have something like 12,926 posts - but (like a lot of real 'old-time' DIS posters), I lost several thousand posts several times in server crashes - luckily, we haven't had one of those in years.

As it started out, sometimes this board went 2 or 3 days without anyone posting. In order to get the board going, Wheelsie and I decided that nothing would be 'off-topic' for this board. As long as it had something to do with WDW, Disneyland, travel or disabilities, it was good to go.
That's pretty much the way it is still. I've never told anyone their topic was off-topic. Because the board doesn't move so quickly as some like the Theme Parks Board or the Community Board, we have had the luxury of not needing to stay on topic. That was good when we were starting out, but now might be a good time to think about making a change.

After a while, Wheelsie had to step down because of changes in her life and I was the sole Moderator until just recently, when Cheshire Figment joined me.
As I looked at the board just before writing this, there were 15 threads that had been posted on today (some with more than one post today). Some of the threads have hundred of views and some have thousands.
Quite different from when it started out. Quite a lot more than I ever expected when I was asked to embark on the journey as a moderator.

Pete (the owner of the DIS Boards) and the Webmasters gave us considerable freedom. They never interfered or told us what to do. As long as we abided by the general guidelines set for posting, we were free to make this board whatever it evolved into. For that, I thank them. This board has become a little community. Without the place to do it and the freedom to let it happen, this community would not exist.

Whether the disABILITIES Board stays as one board or develops a sub-forum, I hope we don't loose that feeling of community.
I have been the hostess in the disABILITIES virtual living room. You have all been the valued guests and you are the community.
Here's to you. :thumbsup2 :grouphug:

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks Sue you and Cheshire Figment do a great job :)

[SueOKW]

Thanks for the interesting background! This board is my main focus on this site - I used to hang around others, but simply don't have time anymore!! I too, lost a few thousand posts here and there, but what 3,000 among friends?!

I was very glad to find this particular board - it's been so helpful! I remember Wheelsie fondly and hope all is well.

I do waiver on this subject - I'm quite confident that whatever you two decide on and submit to the dis lords will work out perfectly fine! The people on the disABILITIES board have always been there for me, and I hope I pay back in kind once in a while! Either one board or two, this community is a good one.
Sue

[allie_to_you]

I too have a husband with a disability. He was born with Spina Bifida and is confined to a wheelchair. Most comments and questions I might have would be related to Disney as we love to go and have had lots of experiences there.

I think that a sub-forum might be a good idea for those of us who just have some general thoughts/questions on disability issues, however, if no sub-forum is created, I think that the general disAbilities thread is enough too!

[wvdislover]

Thanks for all the info! Thanks, too, for a place to ask questions, get answers, and just find friends! :love:

[Nanajo1]

How have other forums that divided out fared? Have their users commented?
I know when the DVC divided up it took me a while to get comfortable but I did and I now know(I think) where to look for and where to post. I'm happy with whatever is decided. A big thanks to all the moderators!

[HopperFan]

I wasn't going to reply here as I thought I would be okay either way, and I wanted to read through after more people had posted their thoughts. But I just finished responding to someone who asked about a medical procedure her DD is about to have, and while our disability backgrounds are probably not the same, I do have experience in this particular medical crisis......and she was comfortable enough to ask here, among her DIS friends. But is was purely medical and non-Disney related. Was she wrong to post, was I wrong to answer ? :confused3

In reading the responses, my first thought was ~ do people want this board to be strictly related to travel to Disney and not allow folks to ask for help, like this mom did ? If that is the case, then I guess there should be an sub-board where folks can ask general disability questions. I realize the technical location should be on the Just for Fun section, but I think it would get lost down there. Even after years of reading this board, I've yet to make the step to read there. I would like to see it with the disAbilities board.

If people want this board to allow Disney travel related and Non-Disney questions to stay together, then maybe change the description of the forum to encourage more people to participate. This is a diamond in the rough, an opportunity to encourage discussion among those experiencing hurdles, and to inform those who may drop in to lurk. All with the same love of Disney. Many will not post since it is a described as specifically for Travel to Disney. Maybe a compromise is to remain one board, change the subtitle to something like "Sharing tips on touring Disney, and daily challenges for those with disABILITIES". ???? If you find that the number of posts begins to increase then maybe you ask about a sub-board then.

To the folks who want to send people to search out forums specific to their disability...........not always a positive experience. I have tried several disability specific forums, and what I found was......they function in a way that if you don't Accept, Refer to, Agree with ideology of that board in reference to your disability, then you are not treated well. I am at a point where I have little connection to folks whose children have my DS's primary disability because he is now out of school and I have found no forum that is open to the fact that we are all different, even with the same diagnosis. I have found through reading this forum, that I have a great deal in common with folks of all disabilities, that my DS has issues that many of you all experience, even though the primary disability is not the same. At this point, his primary disability is a non-issue with his current challenges.

What a hidden treasure this community is........come to read because we have the common love of Disney and the role it plays in our lives, yet find our day to day challenges are similar as well. I have not posted questions (although I have many) but have answered and have learned so much by reading your reponses.

I hope to continue to read, share and be a part of such an inclusive community whether on one board or two. :goodvibes

[SueM in MN]

But is was purely medical and non-Disney related. Was she wrong to post, was I wrong to answer ? :confused3
Not a problem.
I realize the technical location should be on the Just for Fun section, but I think it would get lost down there. Even after years of reading this board, I've yet to make the step to read there. I would like to see it with the disAbilities board.
If (and that is a big if) a sub-forum is made for the disABILITIES Board, it would stay with the disABILITIES Board and not be in the Just for Fun section. I think the only place it would get found would be by keeping it connected to its 'parent' board.

[dclfun]

NOTE FROM MODERATOR: from this point on, some of the posts in this thread were originally on a new thread called :New Name for Forum? I merged the two threads together. When that happens, the 2 merged threads arrange themselves to merge in chronological order. So some posts may be out of order compared to when you last looked at this thread.
Thanks, Sue

I was just thinking...instead of establishing a new forum, perhaps this one could be renamed to invite more people to join. Perhaps something like "Special Needs at Disney" ? This might let people know they don't need to be disabled to participate in this forum. Anyone have an opinion?
---Kathy

[LindsayDunn228]

Please, oh please, don't rename this forum anything with "special needs."

[BillSears]

Please, oh please, don't rename this forum anything with "special needs."


:thumbsup2

Yep, that term really gets on my nerves.

[kaytieeldr]

How about.... disABILITIES and beyonnnnd?

eta: I still support the idea of a subforum first :)

[Cheshire Figment]

Hey folks

I would suggest that anything related to this be appended to the thread concerning the sub-forum.

And SueM and I will be in contact with the Webmasters

[BillSears]

When this thread was originally started I read it and did not comment because I thought "I don't see the need for a sub-forum but who am I do deny people a place to talk." But now I see a twist in the proposal and the change does affect me.

I'm against changing this forum into something that becomes a forum for Disney and Non-Disney discussions. I don't get upset when a Non-Disney discussion takes place but I don't think we should encourage them. Instead please either leave the situation as it is now or make a sub-forum for Non-Disney discussions. But please don't make this forum a primarily Non-Disney forum.

DISAbilities. I actually have thought for years that the forum name was DISAbilities and not disABILITIES. To me the DISNEY was much more important then the disability part.

[SueM in MN]

Yes.
Just to make it easier to keep things together, I'm going to try to add this thread to the survey.

IF we get a sub-forum, I'm envisioning this part would keep the same name and just have a different 'subtitle'. I think the sub-forum would need to be something like "disABILITIES Community Board" and some type of descriptive subtitle (but not with the words "Special Needs" because I know that term is not liked by some people).

[SueM in MN]

When this thread was originally started I read it and did not comment because I thought "I don't see the need for a sub-forum but who am I do deny people a place to talk." But now I see a twist in the proposal and the change does affect me.

I'm against changing this forum into something that becomes a forum for Disney and Non-Disney discussions. I don't get upset when a Non-Disney discussion takes place but I don't think we should encourage them. Instead please either leave the situation as it is now or make a sub-forum for Non-Disney discussions. But please don't make this forum a primarily Non-Disney forum.
I can only speak for myself and my thoughts, but having been the moderator of this board since early 2000, I think I would get a big say.

I had not thought of having a sub-board until Cheshire Figment brought the idea up to me, so it's not something I had put a great deal of thought into until just before this thread started. Here's what I think (at least now)

If we don't get a subforum, this board would continue as it has since it started.......
mostly Disney stuff, but no one will be told they can't discuss other things related to a disability.

If we do get a subforum, this would be the parent forum (the first one) and would be devoted to Disney discussions.
The other forum would be under it in the 'menu' and would be devoted to non-Disney discussions.
DISAbilities. I actually have thought for years that the forum name was DISAbilities and not disABILITIES. To me the DISNEY was much more important then the disability part.
Actually a group of DIS posters (including Wheelsie, the other original Moderator) came up with the name. I have to say I was not that fond of it at first, but it's grown on me.

There were a lot of people at the time this board started who thought there was nothing they would be able to do at Disney because of their disability. The idea of having ABILITIES in the name was to focus on everyone having the ability to enjoy WDW (we wanted to focus on ABILITIES rather than disabilities). dis came from the name of the boards, the DIS Boards.
We played around having it be called DISabilities (but thought that emphasized the disability part too much) and DISAbilities (but thought that was kind of confusing because you couldn't really tell which part the 'A' went with.

We settled on disABILITIES and that's the way it has been since it started. When this board started, I had no idea that it would evolve into a place where people asked non-Disney questions. Some of the other boards have evolved in the same way - specifically, the Family Board has kind of a similar mix of Disney related family questions and general family/parenting questions.

[shovan]

I like the name & the forum as it is now. I still don't see the need for a sub-forum, it's just not that busy. I don't have a child with a disability but I don't find that I'm spending a lot of hunting through the threads.
I also think the name says it all. It's clear as to what the forum is about & it does not offend anyone.

[LindsayDunn228]

Why does the name even have to be "cutesy?" There is the resort board, the restaurant board, the community board, etc. Why not just have a Disney with a Disability board?