<<<<Do you let your child wander around your city alone? Why is a cruise any different? It is full of strangers, and that seems really irresponsible of you. >>>>>
In reference to this remark.....
I just wanted to mention I am just off the Disney Wonder (a week now) and the entire length of the three day cruise, I saw (and heard) children running up and down the ship until about 12:30am - and the youngest of those kids had to be at least 6 years of age..... (and yes I know all about the quiet hours being from 10pm till 8am) So for someone to say "yeah I let my adult child with a younger Mental Age than he looks free range of the ship...." that doesnt sound any different from what I experience having just come off the Wonder.
Some parents are totally comfortable with the ship environment to cut their children more freedom than they would at home. Its a parenting style .... I don't share that style of parenting but I can accept that some do..... To each is own and live and let live and all that jazz.....
((Sigh - Okay that part is over with))
Back to the real topic at hand -
as a teacher of developmentally challenged children and
the sibling of five disabled siblings (to various degrees) and also
the parent of a LD child -
Id like to appauld the orignally poster - for undertaking this big vacation -which can sometimes be overwhelming (at least it was for me) - In my teaching experience many to most of my children (and I use that word only to describe the mental age) at work dont get the oppurtunity to come out of their homes to explore "the world outside" - my parents prefer to keep their children, virtually "shut in" - at home.
As the other posters said - call DCL back and ask to speak with a supervisor, ask to speak to their supervisor, and keep calling till you get a definte / concrete answer, be prepared to negotiate (your willing to stay or member of your family is ready to stay with your daugther during some of the activities) -
Here in NYS after age 18, guardianship papers are needed for persons with low Mental Ages - its legal and binding document that states my siblings disability (and has got my parents out of pinch in certain cases) - if you have one (or something similar) be prepared to present it.....
get the doctors note describing the mental age or An IEP (individualized Education Plan or your states equivalent) thats also a legal and binding document that can attest to the needs of your child,
and be prepared to advocate (squeeky wheel gets the oil and all of that)
If it all goes south - be prepared to come up with a back up plan - call DCL back up and ask for navigators in advance so you can assist in planning your daugther's days with events from the family activities section....
Good luck and after all of that remember - this is your vacation too....
Good speed and all the best -
and Don't forget to write back and let us know what you ended up doing and how it went.