visual disabilites

[gilesmt]

bingo. this is what I was referring to without breaking the disboards rules. I'm happy for you that you have adjusted so well to your disabilities. some of us are in just the beginning of the process.

here(on this board) I was only looking for help at WDW, and I know that hubby does need accomodations, and that WDW has them.

thanks to all that helped!!!

I'm confused, maybe you know something I don't. They do not have a stamp to help with lines in either park. Disney the self will tell you the cane or the dog or your human partner is the guide, or they have told me that in the past when I asked for that as an accommodation. That was also part of the law suit last year when a case action suit was followed, blind persons asked why not help with lines, the help is your guided companion, so the blind asked why they have to pay full price then, Disney refused to allow your personal guide in free like other places do, but instead told them that they would give 100 free tickets to organizations for the blind. I doubt 100 tickets is going to go far but that is all they get. I assume that is in a lifetime but maybe it is yearly or something. Disneyland and wdw policy for 25 years has always been and I have been told this by them six months ago, that your family is your guide.

The difference I was referring to was two things, first going from light to dark in wdw they accommodate this, in DL they do not since just having my cane or dog usually does and second in DL, since many lines are not handicapped excessible then there is an alternative route, also much more in DL than wdw is turnstiles, when a line has then you being blind can not go through them with a dog, you can with a cane. When I have my dog I will go one way in DL, when I have my cane I will be lead another way. Wait a minute let me correct that, a dog in harness can not go through them, I think other service animals maybe able to, but my dogs harness gets trapped and stuck when we try.

If there is a pass like you are asking for, I have never recieved it, and I have just like those persons in the class action law suit been told by Disney numerous times that my family is to guide me. And I have complained, since if that is the case why are others accommodated so easily, but then I thought in some ways they are not, w/c persons families may complain, but they still don't get Disney to lift their family member in and out. Disney can certainly see that I have a vision problem, I need help even to give them the right pass if I am alone when I enter. I usually stand at gs until I know they are talking to me before I move up, I have either a cane or a dog in harness with me, and I have those awful dark glasses on. Yet in 25 years I have never gotten help in a queue line like you are asking for.

As I said, orientation is the best bet, since there are tons of things that are taught. Like have you ever heard when a light turns green and a tweety bird chirps, do you know that is telling the blind to walk east or west. When a coco bird is heard it is telling a blind person to go north or south. Like I say, tons and tons of information can be found in orientation, even if a person can not bring the self to using a cane yet, it is still very helpful information. Also my thing is and always will be to save the sight I have, so if I know when to close my eyes and let them rest and may have sight for 4 extra years I am going to do so.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I haven't travelled with a blind person in a few years now but I'm not sure my experience will help any because it was always with a service animal. If there was need for the dog to be in a particular spot (like on Great Movie Ride, he'd go in a the back row in the spot a wheelchair would typically go) or to bypass a preshow room where it'd be hard with the dog, we would be sent through..shall we call them "particular ways". That was never with a GAC though, as the dog presented a visual cue that there was a disability. But honestly more often than not the dog went through the normal queue right with us. It was a pain, because the dog knew to follow me if he wasn't given a verbal instruction as to where to go, but the person I was with would hesitate. So I get OP's issue but we just had to learn to deal with it. Queues I remember walking all the way through would be like..Star Tours, Soarin, Dinosaur up to a certain point (then we took the elevator for rider swap issues), Nemo, Kilimanjaro Safari... etc. So I guess my point is a lot of times I think you will just have to figure out a way to work through it.

 

[smidgy]

yeah, lock, shock... I know what you mean,, and I know each queue is different. I think one of the worst is the line for great movie ride. that cattle pen is huge, and there is no one "pattern" to the configuration. (as is changes as the line gets longer.) it's getting to where he hates that line.

it would be nice to have a way to walk to the loading area directly and then wait until it's our turn (ie. if the standby wait is 30 minutes we wait at the loading area 30 minutes) .

yeahm, nemo is another one, and you have to walk through that whole jagged line, whether anyone is waiting or not. they don't have a way tho shorten that one at all when the wait is 5 minutes. well, it's NEVER 5 minutes, as it takes 10 minutes to get through the queue area! (well, double that , in our case)

now, if we use a flashlight through the queue, then his eyes don't adjust to the dark, and he won't see anything on the ride. (event hough there are devices that describe things, he would like to see it anyway)

thanks all. it's nice to "commiserate", if nothing else. we'll see how it all works out.

 

[disney david]

yeah, lock, shock... I know what you mean,, and I know each queue is different. I think one of the worst is the line for great movie ride. that cattle pen is huge, and there is no one "pattern" to the configuration. (as is changes as the line gets longer.) it's getting to where he hates that line.

it would be nice to have a way to walk to the loading area directly and then wait until it's our turn (ie. if the standby wait is 30 minutes we wait at the loading area 30 minutes) .

yeahm, nemo is another one, and you have to walk through that whole jagged line, whether anyone is waiting or not. they don't have a way tho shorten that one at all when the wait is 5 minutes. well, it's NEVER 5 minutes, as it takes 10 minutes to get through the queue area! (well, double that , in our case)

now, if we use a flashlight through the queue, then his eyes don't adjust to the dark, and he won't see anything on the ride. (event hough there are devices that describe things, he would like to see it anyway)

thanks all. it's nice to "commiserate", if nothing else. we'll see how it all works out.

Soon when fast pass plus comes online at nemo you be able to cut half of the que they built a new entrance and you come out towards the end of the que you still have to go through a little of it but not the whole thing. You come out near the exit of turtle talk it really will shorten the que now I do hope if you don't have a fast pas plus they will let guest with a gac use it.

 

[nebo]

.

 

[smidgy]

Soon when fast pass plus comes online at nemo you be able to cut half of the que they built a new entrance and you come out towards the end of the que you still have to go through a little of it but not the whole thing. You come out near the exit of turtle talk it really will shorten the que now I do hope if you don't have a fast pas plus they will let guest with a gac use it.

that's good to know! thanks for the info.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Smidgy, I know exactly where you are coming from and the frustrations. My mother has macular degeneration and it is getting progressively worse. I have experienced the same frustrations as you trying to explain a cue and lead my Mom at the same time. I think Nemo and The Great movie Ride are the worst. What frustrates me the worst is people who are not patient.

My Mom is a senior and gets scared when she is in a situation that she cannot see (especially if the lighting is really poor i.e. Nemo cue)...if I hear people behind getting mad (huffing and puffing), I will step aside and pull my Mom aside and say - I'm sorry my Mom has limited vision and this cue is tough for her to manouver so please, go ahead so we don't delay you and your family. Some times they will run past and other times I have had the people ask if there is anything they can do to help me. I have never asked for a GAC - I didn't realize I could get one for limited vision. I usually just tell the CM at the front of the line that my Mom has limited vision and we need to be near the front, I advise we are willing to wait, etc and it hasn't been a problem.

In December we took our first Disney trip with my Mom using her identification cane from the CNIB. Our trip was to Disneyland and I found that when people saw the cane, they were more accepting so I would suggest to both you and your husband to contact a local agency in your area that can provide training. I also received training on how to "lead" my Mom and it has taught me to slow down and smell the roses (I am used to walking fast to get from point A to point B). Also, I normally I use a backpack in the parks and my Mom will hold onto my backpack and I think we will continue to do this as well as have her use her cane.

 

[smidgy]

thanks Elaine and/or Dorrie! I really appreciate someone telling me they understand. I feel for your mom. and you.

I was going to ask you what CNIB was, but I remembered a previous poster using that acronym, and see it is in Canada. We live in Illionis. out in the boonies. I'll have to do some research to see where we could get any training and/or a cane.

the bigger hurdle will be broaching the subject with hubby.

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks Elaine and/or Dorrie! I really appreciate someone telling me they understand. I feel for your mom. and you.

I was going to ask you what CNIB was, but I remembered a previous poster using that acronym, and see it is in Canada. We live in Illionis. out in the boonies. I'll have to do some research to see where we could get any training and/or a cane.

the bigger hurdle will be broaching the subject with hubby.

Here you go, National Federation for the Blind in Illinois:
http://nfbofillinois.org/
That includes a Facebook link, which may be helpful to you.

Local chapters:
http://www.nfbofillinois.org/chapters.htm

Illinois resources:
https://nfb.org/resources-illinois

 

[smidgy]

thanks sue!!! I will check them out.

 

[smidgy]

wow. none of them are anywhere near us. rats. I'll have to get in touch with those mentioned and see if there are any other chapters nearer.

thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

wow. none of them are anywhere near us. rats. I'll have to get in touch with those mentioned and see if there are any other chapters nearer.

thanks!

You're welcome.
I would probably pick the nearest chapter and then ask if they have anything or any resources in your area. The places listed are probably the main location for that general area, but they probably have wider coverage.

 

[smidgy]

thanks! with all you have on your plate, you are a real sweetie to concern yourself with our issues. much thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks! with all you have on your plate, you are a real sweetie to concern yourself with our issues. much thanks.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

thanks Elaine and/or Dorrie! I really appreciate someone telling me they understand. I feel for your mom. and you.

I was going to ask you what CNIB was, but I remembered a previous poster using that acronym, and see it is in Canada. We live in Illionis. out in the boonies. I'll have to do some research to see where we could get any training and/or a cane.

the bigger hurdle will be broaching the subject with hubby.

Sorry about the CNIB - you are correct it is the Canadian Institute for the Blind and they have been fabulous.

I also understand your husband and how difficult it is - my Mom was in denial for quite some time and I encouraged her to visit our local CNIB office here in town, just to see what items are available and when we finally went she saw all the items that were available and the staff reassured her that she would still be able to do the things she loves, just differently. Our local chapter is great...they provided her with a cane and a lady came to our house to show her how to properly use the cane to get around and also to identify obstacles such as stairs. She also taught me how to "lead" her. They also arranged for another lady to come to the house to help with items that could be added/purchased for our home to make life easier for Mom...who knew that there was a "quick button" on the microwave that could be programmed for the time most used? We had the microwave for years and never knew - the button has been a great help to my Mom - the CNIB also has "identifier" adhesive buttons in different shapes that can be placed on items - like our quick button on the microwave has a round raised button and the reset button has a raised square button - these are things my Mom can feel on the microwave since she has a hard time seeing the microwave. They also have magnifiers and lots of other items to make life easier. We still have to go to this appointment but it was delayed since my Mom was hospitalized after a fall.

I hope you are able to connect with your local chapter and they are able to help you out. They may be able to also help you with talking to your husband.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions or need any additional information. I have been on your journey so I know what you are going through.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

thanks sue, for the detailed lesson for leading those who are blind or visually impaired. it was very helpful!!

I will talk to hubby about a foldable cane. I will also be checking out lighthouse.

as I stated in my first post, we aren't trying to cut lines. we're willing to wait our turn. just difficult to navigate for us, and was looking for advice from those who also have low vision.

thanks!

Hey sorry I didn't see this sooner, I was in Disney last weekend.. with friends. Yes, Sue is correct, we need the wheel chair line however, they won't give it to us! They will give us a different stamp concerning line entrances, but not the wheel chair line.. They are not the same on all attractions, and Haunted Mansion is one of them! For some reason, they cannot see that we with low vision can "see" but yet "cannot see". There seems to be no gray areas as you stated with them, it is either you have vision or you are totally blind, there is no in between which is what we are. Yep, we can sit in the front rows, that they understand, but they don't understand that we cannot navigate in the dark turn after turn in massive crowds. I admit, I can do the Haunted Mansion with friends if there are very few guests in there, but when there are massive amounts of people pushing and shoving, I cannot do it. I cannot get to the wall to guide and hold it as I walk to that narrow walkway. I cannot walk slow without getting banged or pushed.. or even knocked over. There are times we even loose our footing due to not having good balance in the dark.. but yet Disney doesn't understand this.. sure a cane would make them see this, but will it get us the wheelchair entrance??? I was told by the CM's that to have access to that entrance, I would have to have a wheelchair or a walker??? and that I do not need What should we do, lie and cheat the system and rent one? No, that isn't what we should do, but Disney is leaving us no alternative and I am getting to the point of maybe possibly doing that the next time I am alone there.
Oh, I have purchased a small keychain flash light too.. figured I would actually use that too.. if anyone comments I will just explain that my eyes do not adjust in the dark and need that to help guide me. As long as I point it down on the floor, people should not complain too much. After all, you have children flashing their light up toys right why not a visual aid for me

 

[KPeveler]

Hey sorry I didn't see this sooner, I was in Disney last weekend.. with friends. Yes, Sue is correct, we need the wheel chair line however, they won't give it to us! They will give us a different, but not the wheel chair line.. They are not the same on all attractions, and Haunted Mansion is one of them! For some reason, they cannot see that we with low vision can "see" but yet "cannot see". There seems to be no gray areas as you stated with them, it is either you have vision or you are totally blind, there is no in between which is what we are. Yep, we can sit in the front rows, that they understand, but they don't understand that we cannot navigate in the dark turn after turn in massive crowds. I admit, I can do the Haunted Mansion with friends if there are very few guests in there, but when there are massive amounts of people pushing and shoving, I cannot do it. I cannot get to the wall to guide and hold it as I walk to that narrow walkway. I cannot walk slow without getting banged or pushed.. or even knocked over. There are times we even loose our footing due to not having good balance in the dark.. but yet Disney doesn't understand this.. sure a cane would make them see this, but will it get us the wheelchair entrance??? I was told by the CM's that to have access to that entrance, I would have to have a wheelchair or a walker??? and that I do not need What should we do, lie and cheat the system and rent one? No, that isn't what we should do, but Disney is leaving us no alternative and I am getting to the point of maybe possibly doing that the next time I am alone there.
Oh, I have purchased a small keychain flash light too.. figured I would actually use that too.. if anyone comments I will just explain that my eyes do not adjust in the dark and need that to help guide me. As long as I point it down on the floor, people should not complain too much. After all, you have children flashing their light up toys right why not a visual aid for me

Generally if you go back to Guest Services and tell them exactly what you told us, especially the HM story, they can amend or replace the GAC. If the first CM is not helpful, ask for their lead. Usually this is something they will fix. They may not have understood the first time what you needed but now that you know exactly what you need, I would go back and explain it to them. I hope this helps!

ETAL "Wheelchair lines" exist almost only in MK, so if you asked at another park, they would not have understood and may have even thought they were helping more by giving you the stamp they did. All the other parks have mainstreamed lines (almost entirely), so wheelchairs go in the regular line and need no GAC or special entrance. If you need to access a different line in MK, you may end up needing to speak to City Hall specifically, or just ask at the ride and simply tell them what you need. If you tell them that it is dangerous for you to go through the Stretching Room and can they please send you through the exit like if you had a wheelchair, they will usually do that. The key word there is "dangerous." Safety is the first Key, and that is a big warning to CMs.

 

[ttintagel]

You may have to go back to Guest Services a couple of times, then, because both CM's I talked to at Guest Services said that it was totally at the discretion of the CM's stationed at the attraction whether or not to let you in another way. And the last CM I dealt with at the HM repeatedly denied that there even WAS another entrance, even though I had been through it before with a family member using a wheelchair.

 

[disney david]

The problem at wdw hm is their accessible entrance is the regular que since wheelchairs ECV can go through the main entrance after them removing the turn styles and they can use the stretching room then they directed towards the exit. But people with low vision can't go through the stretching room or even the short cut since it dark unless they have someone to help them. The easy fix is letting those guest use the exit and and not have to go through the front then the cm could stop the ride like they do I guest in wheelchairs then they be able to ride the ride safely.

 

[disney david]

You may have to go back to Guest Services a couple of times, then, because both CM's I talked to at Guest Services said that it was totally at the discretion of the CM's stationed at the attraction whether or not to let you in another way. And the last CM I dealt with at the HM repeatedly denied that there even WAS another entrance, even though I had been through it before with a family member using a wheelchair.

Yes their is another entrance that you have to go through the stretching room to get to or before but still have to go in a dark building to get to the separate entrance they stopped letting guest use the exit after removing the turn styles. Now you have to go through the que and either go in the stretching room then your see the entrance that take you to the exit side to be loaded. Or before you enter the stretching room their a door but not marked so a cm will have to help you then your be brought out to the same entrance n the exit side. It just getting the cms to understand that you need to use the exit side from the out side because to get to the separate entrance you have to go through a dark building.