While at WDW recently, I was able to speak with a gentleman in Guest Services at MK about the mess with the Guest Assistance Passes. We spoke at length, and I told him I would be in touch with him.
After the conversation, I realized that in his mind, disabilities, and medically fragile were essentially the same. I want to write him later this week, but would like feedback from you all before I do. Please add questions or comments.
In order to prevent the Guest Services folks from making "medical decisions" (which they uniformly tell us that aren't trained to do, but then do it anyway), let's break the task into smaller pieces.
Those who come with obvious disabilities, and are asking for the card to shorten (not eliminate) their wait could continue to be handled at Guest Services. The folks with hidden disabilities, (some forms of retardation, autism and PPD, Tourette's, etc.) should speak with the lead person for the Guest Services they are at. These people could acquire a working vocabulary (which we could provide to them!!!) so they understand what is being said to them. In most cases, taking a few minutes to chat with the family is often all the time that is needed for the hidden disability to become obvious.
Those of us who have a medically involved person in our group should be directed to the 1st Aid station, where, by my obeservations, 1-3 women are sitting trying to figure out how to pass the time. These folks should be able to understand the issues that the various diagnosis present. After determining the level of assistance required, they could then issue the guest pass from there.
Other issues we discussed were parade seating and people who want to get passes but don't need them.
I suggested that one of the wheelchair seating areas be reserved for those who have limited stamina and could better use their time seeing attractions rather than waiting an hr. or more for a parade to begin. Passes for this would be given at the same time the Assistance pass was given out in the 1st aid area. 5-10 minutes before the parade, simply seek out the specific reserved area.
The problem of people getting passes when they don't legitimatly need them will always be there, but I'm thinking that if folks know they have to go and explain it to "medically trained personnel", many of these people will just get on with their touring. This is particularly suspect to the CMs when the wheelchair has been rented at the park for that day.
Sooo, what do you think?
New Year's blessing to everyone.
PS: I'll start writing up our recent trip on Tues.
After the conversation, I realized that in his mind, disabilities, and medically fragile were essentially the same. I want to write him later this week, but would like feedback from you all before I do. Please add questions or comments.
In order to prevent the Guest Services folks from making "medical decisions" (which they uniformly tell us that aren't trained to do, but then do it anyway), let's break the task into smaller pieces.
Those who come with obvious disabilities, and are asking for the card to shorten (not eliminate) their wait could continue to be handled at Guest Services. The folks with hidden disabilities, (some forms of retardation, autism and PPD, Tourette's, etc.) should speak with the lead person for the Guest Services they are at. These people could acquire a working vocabulary (which we could provide to them!!!) so they understand what is being said to them. In most cases, taking a few minutes to chat with the family is often all the time that is needed for the hidden disability to become obvious.
Those of us who have a medically involved person in our group should be directed to the 1st Aid station, where, by my obeservations, 1-3 women are sitting trying to figure out how to pass the time. These folks should be able to understand the issues that the various diagnosis present. After determining the level of assistance required, they could then issue the guest pass from there.
Other issues we discussed were parade seating and people who want to get passes but don't need them.
I suggested that one of the wheelchair seating areas be reserved for those who have limited stamina and could better use their time seeing attractions rather than waiting an hr. or more for a parade to begin. Passes for this would be given at the same time the Assistance pass was given out in the 1st aid area. 5-10 minutes before the parade, simply seek out the specific reserved area.
The problem of people getting passes when they don't legitimatly need them will always be there, but I'm thinking that if folks know they have to go and explain it to "medically trained personnel", many of these people will just get on with their touring. This is particularly suspect to the CMs when the wheelchair has been rented at the park for that day.
Sooo, what do you think?
New Year's blessing to everyone.
PS: I'll start writing up our recent trip on Tues.