Abuse of the "3 letter word" - I'm on a TEAR!

[disneyfool_1202]

OK - I am going to BLOW. I have really just about had it with people. I know (as we all do) that there is abuse of the "system" that has been put in place to support those of us with disabilities - whether our own or our family members. This system has allowed us to enjoy WDW when, without this system, we may not be able to at all. Having some "alternates" whether an entrance, a waiting area, a seating accommodation, etc... has made the impossible possible. It has made some dreams actually come true.

I, for one, have benefitted from this system GREATLY. I have an autistic child. When he was younger, we relied on this system significantly. As he's matured his needs have changed and our vacations have become easier but we still have a fallback system in times OF NEED. It's our "just in case". We are at that point where we pretty much do what everyone else in the world is SUPPOSED to do - we use the Fast Pass system or we wait in line. Last time we went to WDW (last October) I had my "safety net". I pulled it out of my pocket 2 times. 2 times in a 7 day trip. Not 2 times daily. 2 times TOTAL. Both on one day because it was a typically BAD day. I bring my distractions (thank god for smart phones with apps that make waiting easier). We have snacks. We take frequent breaks. We do what needs to be done to make our trip easy and enjoyable. And we deal with the disappointments and don't expect miracles because it's not all about us. We also want to teach our child that life doesn't come on a silver platter- even in Disney. Waiting, being patient, being disappointed and learning how to deal with it are all part of life.

So here I am faced with going back in 2 wks. I have a friend who just got back 2 wks ago and she was telling me how a member of the party she went with wanted to "work the system" and get one of those "free passes". I almost blew a gasket. I started ranting and raving about people like that are why the "system" that is in place for people who need it is at risk. She just looked at me like I was nuts for flying off the handle.

But why did I fly off the handle? Because we are going in 2 wks with another family who wants to "jump" on my GAC. "How many can you get on that thing?? Can you cover all of us?? Can I get my own for my kid?? (and my personal favorite---) What should I say is wrong with him??"

Um I'M SORRY BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR KID! My friend actually told her kids the other day "don't worry, we won't have to wait in any lines- we are going with HER!". Really??? That's SO untrue and not fair!

To top it off I am in an ECV due to mobility issues so need to use the wheelchair entrance which in some instances is an alternate entrance. DS w/ASD is upset about this because when we do this we end up sitting in the back of some rides - so I told him he can stay in the regular line with his dad so he can try for the front and I'll go with his sister in the other line (divide and conquer) so said friends are DOING MATH saying "well we can send my 2 kids with your husband since you'll be going that way..."

This is a VERY close friend of mine and I really love her. I have NEVER seen this side of her and I'm wondering where it's coming from. She is going through some personal issues lately that I really think are contributing to this type of what I call "inappropriately selfish" behavior and I don't want to confront her about this because it could seriously ruin our entire vacation.

DH is saying "let's just not get our GAC for our son and we won't have to deal with it" but that is not fair to our son IF we need it. I always have it and only use it IF I need to. I don't want to need it and NOT have it. I have NO intention of just walking up to the fast-pass attendant and waving it in front of anyone's face and I think that's her intent. That is NOT how I operate.

I wish that Disney would change the rules. I wish they WOULD require some sort of medical note. I know HIPAA laws and all - I work in the medical field and am well versed- but use of a GAC is a personal CHOICE so I can CHOOSE to share my information with Disney to get a GAC and therefore HIPAA would not apply. Even if Disney did require a note, I swear half of the people who presented them would show up with falsified documentation anyway. There's no way to prove it's real. And that sucks. wish there was a better way, especially for people with "hidden" disabilities.

UGH- thanks for listening. I had to get it out.

 

[momtobrynncess]

Hmmm..... That's a lot to think about.

I think many of us have heard the story of those folks who pay to have their kids get into the line with folks who have the GAC, which I think make most of want to throw up.

I think it's fantastic that you and your family have progressed to the point at which the majority of your vacation can flow smoothly, and that you use the assistance of the GAC minimally, not that you wouldn't have the right to use it however and whenever you needed.


A few years ago, my in-laws came with us for the first time in many years. Both of them had to use the ECV's-not that they wanted to, but out of necessity. My father in law has had 3 hip surgeries due to a fall, and is now unable to walk normally. My mother in law has a severe issue with her knee and is unable to walk long distances.

For the first time in our 20 plus trips to the World, we were accompanying folks who needed to use the accessible entrance. To put it simply, we felt weird about it. Because we did not have a need to be there, we did not want to accompany them. The flip side would have been for us to wait in lines for 45 minutes or more, when they would have been done with the ride in 5. Then they would have been waiting around for us for upwards of an hour. Let's add in the fact that they do not know their way around any of the parks, and are directionally challenged. Translation: my mother in law knows one way to get to her destination, and if there is a detour, she panics and loses her mind. AND she has no idea how to use texting or even simple tasks on her cell phone. So for us to ask them to wait around for us while we went through the normal line did not make sense.

I guess my point is, I don't know how some folks can feel okay about cheating the system when it's just plain wrong. I know Disney says that families should stay together in these types of situations, and we appreciated the fact that we were able to do that, but it still felt weird to me.

Off topic, last night we ate at a local burger place, sitting in the window area. When we pulled in, we noticed that all the closest spots were reserved for either accessible spots, or for the tanning salon. There were three or four spots reserved for the tanning salon, so obviously, we did not park there, and we parked a few hundred feet away. While we were eating, we saw not one, but two families park in the reserved for tanning salon, and come into the restaurant and sit down and eat. Now I know that reserved for tanning might seem silly, and maybe it is. But my point is, signs are there for a reason, and I feel like they should be observed and obeyed.

 

[Barbj38]

I can relate. My daughter has cerebral Palsey and uses a wheelchair. People have actually said to her you are so lucky you go right to front if line. She gets so mad and will tell them no I don't get front of line most of the time and I actually prefer to get n line like everyone else. People can be very ignorant.

 

[disney david]

You do know it not because it a Disney rule they don't ask for dr note it a federal Ada law they can't. Sometimes we have to face the facts that it not always Disney fault and they not always to blame for things.

 

[lanejudy]

You do know it not because it a Disney rule they don't ask for dr note it a federal Ada law they can't. Sometimes we have to face the facts that it not always Disney fault and they not always to blame for things.

Correct! It is a common misperception that WDW can't require a doctor's note due to HIPAA laws. But as OP indicated, sharing your own (or your child's) medical information yourself is not a violation of HIPAA. ADA legislation does not allow a person to prove a disability for purposes of obtaining an accommodation for an "equal" experience. Documentation can only be required to obtain something with a perceived "value" such as closer parking with a hang tag.

OP - I'd suggest you do what you normally do. Get the GAC and carry it as your "insurance." Tour the way you normally do - and tell those with you that you don't need the GAC at all attractions.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Sunnywho]

I think you need to set expectations with the other family asap.

 

[SueM in MN]

Correct! It is a common misperception that WDW can't require a doctor's note due to HIPAA laws. But as OP indicated, sharing your own (or your child's) medical information yourself is not a violation of HIPAA. ADA legislation does not allow a person to prove a disability for purposes of obtaining an accommodation for an "equal" experience. Documentation can only be required to obtain something with a perceived "value" such as closer parking with a hang tag.

OP - I'd suggest you do what you normally do. Get the GAC and carry it as your "insurance." Tour the way you normally do - and tell those with you that you don't need the GAC at all attractions.

Enjoy your vacation!

I agree

 

[Mom2six]

Off topic, last night we ate at a local burger place, sitting in the window area. When we pulled in, we noticed that all the closest spots were reserved for either accessible spots, or for the tanning salon. There were three or four spots reserved for the tanning salon, so obviously, we did not park there, and we parked a few hundred feet away. While we were eating, we saw not one, but two families park in the reserved for tanning salon, and come into the restaurant and sit down and eat. Now I know that reserved for tanning might seem silly, and maybe it is. But my point is, signs are there for a reason, and I feel like they should be observed and obeyed.

The tanning salon is probably given 3 spots in the lease and so they are reserved for their customers. If they never had any parking spaces because of the restaurant, they could lose business. People think rules don't apply to them. Which is why they lie for the GAC.

 

[Mom2six]

You do know it not because it a Disney rule they don't ask for dr note it a federal Ada law they can't. Sometimes we have to face the facts that it not always Disney fault and they not always to blame for things.

You have to get a dr note for handicap parking so they should make it legal for things like a GAC.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

You have to get a dr note for handicap parking so they should make it legal for things like a GAC.

I guess I almost agree - I sort of look at a GAC as a handicap plate for Disney world that lists the certain accommodation a person with a disability requires.
I'm just peeved because these are people I know and respect that I would never have expected this type of behavior from. They know I go above to ensure that I treat my son with the same rules and expectations as his sister who does NOT have autism. I cant live life having two sets of rules for two kids. She understand accommodations are necessary when NECESSARY and we teach to NOT abuse the system because that can lead to it not being available when needed. Now her friends parents are teaching the complete opposite like it's a free pass and on MY coat-tails to boot. It's just taking the pixie-dust out of my trip planning.

 

[disney david]

You have to get a dr note for handicap parking so they should make it legal for things like a GAC.

I know what your saying but Disney bound by federal law not to ask for proof of disability. As lanejudy explained so good. Where states require proof of disability to get a handicap placard because it provides something that not everyone can get.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Under the ADA, an organization cannot ask a disabled person for proof of disability if they are going to be getting "special treatment" so they can have equal access. In theory any person can use a facility intended to give a disabled person equal access. Look at the accessible stalls in a restroom as an example.

A State-issued parking permit allows use of parking in an area that people without the permit are not legally allowed to use. Technically this is superior access and proof of eligibility is required by law.

 

[ttintagel]

I think those who need accommodations have every right to get as frustrated as the OP. Heck, I even get frustrated when people make light of the situation with the best of intentions ("Oh, how awful you're in pain. But at least you get to skip all the lines while all the suckers wait an hour in the sun, ha ha, amirite?") just because it adds to the whole PR mess that makes the able-bodied Disney guests so butthurt whenever a PWD gets a needed accommodation.

 

[Schmeck]

Just got back from a week long trip, and I'd have to say that there are still those who will abuse the system. Was at Star Tours, the CM asked for the person whose name was on the GAC, and the man holding it said she was outside? The CM tried to explain how that person had to be going on the ride, etc. But then she let them through!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Hm...too bad we can't handle out autistic children and immobilize limbs and glasses that blur vision. Let people tour with some real issues and show them what it's really like and see how quickly they want to ask for assistance again.

 

[mdvlprof]

GAC - I have probably used incorrectly at times. DS [a quad] caregiver used it a couple times when she wanted to go on ride that was not suitable/accessible for DS. That way she could use fastpass line and get back to DS ASAP.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Under the ADA, an organization cannot ask a disabled person for proof of disability if they are going to be getting "special treatment" so they can have equal access. In theory any person can use a facility intended to give a disabled person equal access. Look at the accessible stalls in a restroom as an example.

A State-issued parking permit allows use of parking in an area that people without the permit are not legally allowed to use. Technically this is superior access and proof of eligibility is required by law.

True, however, it has become more and more clear on this forum and others that the GAC frequently does provide a shorter wait (I'm referring especially to the alternate entrance/ unlimited fastpass provision--not waiting for an accessible ride car which I understand can take make longer waits). To me, this is a privilege that all guests would want but which is not available to all guests. I think Disney could easily make a case that they can rightfully require proof of disability before issuing the alternate entrance/unlimited fastpass GAC.

 

[crashbb]

GAC - I have probably used incorrectly at times. DS [a quad] caregiver used it a couple times when she wanted to go on ride that was not suitable/accessible for DS. That way she could use fastpass line and get back to DS ASAP.

Yes, that is incorrect use. The GAC is to be used only for rides the person the GAC is issues to is riding - the CMs are supposed to ask for the person who's name is on the GAC (in this case, that person wouldn't be there).

 

[disney david]

True, however, it has become more and more clear on this forum and others that the GAC frequently does provide a shorter wait (I'm referring especially to the alternate entrance/ unlimited fastpass provision--not waiting for an accessible ride car which I understand can take make longer waits). To me, this is a privilege that all guests would want but which is not available to all guests. I think Disney could easily make a case that they can rightfully require proof of disability before issuing the alternate entrance/unlimited fastpass GAC.

I don't think Disney going to go against the Ada and doj just so they can ask for proof. If they do anything they should ask them to join them on a conversation of the changes so they get their feed back and the Ada can see what Disney faces every day. I just don't see Disney having their lawyers go to the Ada and say we want to ask for proof of disability from guest how do we change that law. I think Disney want to keep the Ada very happy and not cause any trouble to the Ada because they ask for that and then the Ada will be their every day inspecting things. And what going to stop someone from making fake notes and other things.

 

[disney david]

The problem is that cms should be enforcing it all the same and some aren't. Their cms that ask for a name and then just give in because they my not be getting support from they managers. If a guest get turned away and that guest goes to guest services then that guest will do what ever they have to do to get that cm in trouble. So then the cm gets in trouble and other cms see that and say it not worth I if I am going to get in trouble his for enforcing it right. Where the manager should be saying the cm did the right thing and tell the guest they was wrong. Until they change that and get all the cm on board and have them all enforce it the same way that would cut down on abuse and not make it harder for guest with disabilities to use it.