WDW -Disability Access Service (DAS) - ARCHIVED THREAD; no longer vslid

[Kellykins1218]

Seems more likely that they would say the cards are only needed for those with invisible disabilities "such as" autism

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Someone from WDW News Today has actually gone to MK and gotten a DAS, and is posting a lot of info on Twitter if you are interested.

 

[infopurposesonly]

Seems more likely that they would say the cards are only needed for those with invisible disabilities "such as" autism

I think it's very possible that a misinformed CM might say it's only for autism. A few years ago, when a GAC sometimes allowed for the use of an alternate entrance at character greet locations, I saw a few people going to the exit of one location. I brought DD there in her special needs stroller and showed the GAC, which she had for needs relating to autism and other medical conditions, but which wasn't apparent at first glance. CM said, "The exit is only used for Make a Wish and autism." Exact words. So I do think it's very possible that a CM with inadequate training might say something like that.

 

[Poohsmommi]

Only cards being given out anywhere are for children with autism. Apparently the decision was made yesterday.

Dd has Nuerocardiogenic syncope, pots, eds, ventricular tachycardia, pacts. She passes out a lot. She can use an ecv but she can't stand or sit for extended periods. Her blood pressure drops when she stands which causes her to pass out.

That cannot possibly be true, especially since it is illegal for them to ask what the disability is.

 

[Amommy21]

.

 

[nyrebecca]

Someone from WDW News Today has actually gone to MK and gotten a DAS, and is posting a lot of info on Twitter if you are interested.

Thank you for that info. I just checked it out. They have pictures of the front and the back, and other info on some tweets.

 

[nugov2]

That cannot possibly be true, especially since it is illegal for them to ask what the disability is.

I agree, if that is the case then every person can just go up and say they are autistic...including the OP if you need the DAS. I am surprised they would have such a misinformed CM on a day where everyone is going to be looking for the good, the bad and the ugly on this new policy and posting it all over the web for the world to see. Bad form on WDW part, but I hope it was some type of misunderstanding.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Sounds like there might be a big case of miscommunications. On both sides, perhaps made worse by improper expectations.

Needing to alter stature can be taken care off by the use of many different types of mobility aids. We all know the commonly used tip of "you can alternate walking using a wheelchair as a walker and using the chair to sit in", but there are many other options out there. Not "just" for those that can do (some) walking, but also for those that have no walking abilities at all. Chairs that can alternate positions, walkers that can do the same you name it. Besides that more "general" group of aids, there are some more "specific". Like medication, compression treatment etc. to regulate/manipulate both BP and HR to reduce incidents to begin with.


And with the switch to the DAS, indeed one of the standpoints is "no longer handing out alternates when there are options to tackle a need but guests makes the choice themselves not to use said option". Which is a big change. We all know the official spiel was "no alternates when an aid can help out" when the GAC was in place, but we all also know that was not the reality for those who decided to "stand their ground". Very big change, when used to that to having to adept to now a new system.

Combine that with a possible miscommunicating what a specific need is, miscommunication of understanding what was said (both sides), and possible unfamiliarity with options out there to tackle ones own needs themselves. Then unfamiliarity allround, first day, you name it. Could see how that could result into this.

 

[disney david]

If true what wdw today is saying I like if it under ten min they won't make you come back. They let you through the alternate entrance and on the ride.

 

[Poohsmommi]

I agree, if that is the case then every person can just go up and say they are autistic...including the OP if you need the DAS. I am surprised they would have such a misinformed CM on a day where everyone is going to be looking for the good, the bad and the ugly on this new policy and posting it all over the web for the world to see. Bad form on WDW part, but I hope it was some type of misunderstanding.

I figured they would have lots of kinks for the first few weeks, but that one is just unacceptable!

 

[Gracie09]

I think it's very possible that a misinformed CM might say it's only for autism. A few years ago, when a GAC sometimes allowed for the use of an alternate entrance at character greet locations, I saw a few people going to the exit of one location. I brought DD there in her special needs stroller and showed the GAC, which she had for needs relating to autism and other medical conditions, but which wasn't apparent at first glance. CM said, "The exit is only used for Make a Wish and autism." Exact words. So I do think it's very possible that a CM with inadequate training might say something like that.

Since they have retrained all their gs cm I doubt it was a rogue untrained cm. My guess is something like das is only given our for invisible disabilities like autism was said.

 

[nugov2]

Sounds like there might be a big case of miscommunications. On both sides, perhaps made worse by improper expectations.

Needing to alter stature can be taken care off by the use of many different types of mobility aids. We all know the commonly used tip of "you can alternate walking using a wheelchair as a walker and using the chair to sit in", but there are many other options out there. Not "just" for those that can do (some) walking, but also for those that have no walking abilities at all. Chairs that can alternate positions, walkers that can do the same you name it. Besides that more "general" group of aids, there are some more "specific". Like medication, compression treatment etc. to regulate/manipulate both BP and HR to reduce incidents to begin with.


And with the switch to the DAS, indeed one of the standpoints is "no longer handing out alternates when there are options to tackle a need but guests makes the choice themselves not to use said option". Which is a big change. We all know the official spiel was "no alternates when an aid can help out" when the GAC was in place, but we all also know that was not the reality for those who decided to "stand their ground". Very big change, when used to that to having to adept to now a new system.

Combine that with a possible miscommunicating what a specific need is, miscommunication of understanding what was said (both sides), and possible unfamiliarity with options out there to tackle ones own needs themselves. Then unfamiliarity allround, first day, you name it. Could see how that could result into this.

Well said!

 

[SueM in MN]

They are not giving DAS for people whose only need is mobility or is addressed by using a wheelchair or ECV In line.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Only cards being given out anywhere are for children with autism. Apparently the decision was made yesterday.

Dd has Nuerocardiogenic syncope, pots, eds, ventricular tachycardia, pacts. She passes out a lot. She can use an ecv but she can't stand or sit for extended periods. Her blood pressure drops when she stands which causes her to pass out.

Did you explain to Guest Relations what needs she has that can not be met by a mobility device? That's what they need to know.

I am curious though you're obviously free to not answer as it really isn't any of our business, but what need won't be met by a mobility device? Maybe that'll help us to offer different advice or understand the situation better.

 

[WantToGoNow]

She was told 3 times by 2 different cm's that it was only for children with autism. She is not a child but an adult, she can clearly communicate get needs. Mobility is not the only issue, she also needs to wait out of the sun as much as possible - luckily it is more overcast than Sun this week.

 

[Sunnywho]

Dd has Nuerocardiogenic syncope, pots, eds, ventricular tachycardia, pacts. She passes out a lot. She can use an ecv but she can't stand or sit for extended periods. Her blood pressure drops when she stands which causes her to pass out.

If she's moving/walking, then does her heart keep working hard enough that blood flow gets to the brain and she doesn't pass out? Also keeping moving keeps fluid from pooling in the lower legs. So the optimal situation is constant movement, not standing and not wheelchair if she can't sit for long periods either. With the DAS, she could keep moving if she was in the "virtual waiting area" outside of the line.

I don't know if that's a correct assessment of her situation but it is what a friend of mine has.

 

[Gracie09]

I can't think of a ride with an uncovered outdoor queue at Epcot. Maybe spaceship earth but that's covered.

So to recap, you dd has a disability that has mobility components that can be addressed with a wheelchair or ECv and she needs to stay out of the sun, but very few if any queues have waits outside in the sun, and a das will not address the other 95% of the sun exposure she would get by walking around the parks, anyway.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Also we have been her since opening and I have seen no one with a card or using one. Granted it doesn't seem very busy here today.

Actually we've been here since Saturday and I've seen very few GAC. My cousin staying at Give Kids the World this week said they had to go get a new card today as well but they went to the beach today so I haven't heard how that is working for them yet.

She us considered as disautonomic failure. Yes we know there are meds to control hr and bp. She has been dealing with this for nearly 15 years. She takes about 15 pills a day, 3 injections, and atleast 6 glucose tests a day as the injections cause her sugar levels to drop to dangerous levels. Getting the right cocktail of meds to control this is not easy. The pills to raise the bp also raises the hr, but her hr will jump to 200+ without warning. She had an ablation in January to slow it down some but it is still high until the bp plunges, then the hr does too - the Reveal monitor that was implanted shows that her heart stops at times when she goes out. POTS is a separate condition that causes the bp to drop when her position changed or even something as simple as bending over. She doesn't regulate her temp and Saturday and Sunday when it was in the 90s, she didn't sweat so she overheats. Today it has been breezy and cooler and while everyone else is in shorts and tees, she has on a sweatshirt.

 

[nyrebecca]

It has never been about telling Disney your diagnosis. It has been about telling them the needs of your family member or yourself.

To say that they will only be giving out the DAS to children with Autism just sounds silly. A) I have friends with kids on the spectrum that are so far different than my son that you wouldn't even think that they are in the same classification. Each child on the spectrum is different and has different needs. And B) these kids all turn into adults, and by saying only kids with Autism that is like saying they are cured when they are an adult.

I am not saying anyone is telling lies, I am just saying that it really does sound like a lot of miscommunication. Perhaps Autism and the issues that can go along with the dx was given as the example of cases the card would be issued.

 

[Kay1]

Seems more likely that they would say the cards are only needed for those with invisible disabilities "such as" autism

I agree, and people, as you said, not only children, as that sort of disability doesn't disappear at age 21.