any experence being visually impaied at the airport?

[disney world dreamer]

i have low vision.

i've flown a number of times before but always with friends/family so i generally just follow their lead.

i'm going on a solo trip in april and will be flying.
i'm going to have my cane so that others can easily identify my disability and i will have an airline employee walk with me through security and to my gate.

i know the procedures for security.

i'm wondering if you have found that security agents are more understanding or less so when they see you have a visual impairment?

have you noticed that you are more or less likely to have additional screening due to your visual impairment?

i get anxious at the airport under normal circumstances so going solo is making me even more anxious.
so much so that its the only thing i'm really nervous about. i'm not even nervous about getting around disney world by myself.

 

[tjcrabb]

I think you will do just fine! You already seem to have a great plan in place. As for the security measures I don't remember it being anymore than anyone else. My dad is completely blind, but he hasn't traveled with a cane for a very long time. He now has a guide dog which does require more security. I believe Warner (guide dog) has to go through the detectors separately without the harness. The harness gets scanned in the xray machine. I have found that TSA is like anyone else, some are helpful some are not. Truthfully I can't remember a time where they weren't very helpful. They will probably have you fold up the cane and put it on the belt but they will guide you through the scanners. Oh and I found they usually bring a wheelchair when they come to meet you. Don't worry its just standard procedure and my dad just puts his carryon in it and walks along.
Tricia

 

[videogal1]

. He now has a guide dog which does require more security. I believe Warner (guide dog) has to go through the detectors separately without the harness. The harness gets scanned in the xray machine.
Tricia

I sure hope you're kidding...No service dog is required to be separated from its harness if the harness is part of its working equipment. That's the law (check the ADA and the ACAA).

 

[Shock13]

i have low vision.

i've flown a number of times before but always with friends/family so i generally just follow their lead.

i'm going on a solo trip in april and will be flying.
i'm going to have my cane so that others can easily identify my disability and i will have an airline employee walk with me through security and to my gate.

i know the procedures for security.

i'm wondering if you have found that security agents are more understanding or less so when they see you have a visual impairment?

have you noticed that you are more or less likely to have additional screening due to your visual impairment?

i get anxious at the airport under normal circumstances so going solo is making me even more anxious.
so much so that its the only thing i'm really nervous about. i'm not even nervous about getting around disney world by myself.

Dreamer- I am also visually impaired and use a cane. Last year I've flown 6 times all solo. I don't have anyone help me through security/gate so my situation is a bit different but I use the cane extensively since I have no vision in my left eye and limited peripheral and depth perception in the right eye. I found that the TSA agents react differently when they see me coming with the cane. First of all, none of them are ever rude or frustrated with me when I take more time than others. They are all very patient. Some offer their help such as when I fold up my cane to send through the x-ray, a TSA agent may ask me if I need help getting through the scanner. I went to Orlando last November and when I approached the security for my flight home, the agent directing traffic had me go in the wheelchair line which I was confused but he later explained that it was easier because the line doesn't have the twists and turns like general boarding. That was so nice! Plus the line was much shorter and I had more time getting my things in the bins because people were going at a slower pace.
I've only had added security once when they wanted to swab my hands. Otherwise nothing extra being done.

Gate agents are great too. I usually ask for a pre-board pass and they always ask if I need help going down the ramp but I always decline because any help I need is when I'm actually on the aircraft and the flight attendants take care of me.

I just started doing solo traveling on my own starting with Disneyland last March for 3 days and then a week at Universal Orlando for a week last November and now I'll be going to WDW solo in a couple of weeks. Starting to solo travel while visually impaired is no doubt scary but little by little I gained the confidence and now it's becoming easier. I hope you have a fabulous trip!!

 

[disney world dreamer]

Dreamer- I am also visually impaired and use a cane. Last year I've flown 6 times all solo. I don't have anyone help me through security/gate so my situation is a bit different but I use the cane extensively since I have no vision in my left eye and limited peripheral and depth perception in the right eye. I found that the TSA agents react differently when they see me coming with the cane. First of all, none of them are ever rude or frustrated with me when I take more time than others. They are all very patient. Some offer their help such as when I fold up my cane to send through the x-ray, a TSA agent may ask me if I need help getting through the scanner. I went to Orlando last November and when I approached the security for my flight home, the agent directing traffic had me go in the wheelchair line which I was confused but he later explained that it was easier because the line doesn't have the twists and turns like general boarding. That was so nice! Plus the line was much shorter and I had more time getting my things in the bins because people were going at a slower pace.
I've only had added security once when they wanted to swab my hands. Otherwise nothing extra being done.

Gate agents are great too. I usually ask for a pre-board pass and they always ask if I need help going down the ramp but I always decline because any help I need is when I'm actually on the aircraft and the flight attendants take care of me.

I just started doing solo traveling on my own starting with Disneyland last March for 3 days and then a week at Universal Orlando for a week last November and now I'll be going to WDW solo in a couple of weeks. Starting to solo travel while visually impaired is no doubt scary but little by little I gained the confidence and now it's becoming easier. I hope you have a fabulous trip!!

our visual situation is oddly very similar.
i was born visually impaired but had sight in both eyes.
when i was 11 i had a retinal detachment in my left eye which was my better eye and lost all sight in that eye.
when i was 21 in 2008 i had 2 retinal detachments in my right eye within 6 weeks of each other. luckily i retained most of the limited vision that i had in that eye. my peripheral vision did decrease though and now its very hard to see in dim lighting.

i learned how to use a cane but i don't usually use it cuz i can easily rely on my friends/family when i'm in a situation that i can't see well in.

i know disney world very well as i've been many many times so the cane is more for ID purposes so that if i'm moving slow or look like i need help people can easily tell why.

maybe you can help me with another question i have.
i'm going to ask for a DAS but i'm not sure what to say in order to get it for what i want it for.
i do need to sit in the first couple of rows for shows but i've never had a problem just asking a CM to let me sit in the first couple of rows.
what i actually NEED DAS for is dark lines.
i'd like an alternate entrance that is either lighter or at least less winding.
if i said that would they give me DAS?
if so where would that alternate entrance typically be?

 

[Shock13]

Yes, we are definitely similar too in the ways of the cane! I do not use my cane on a regular basis either as I can function without it while at work, shopping and etc. I do use it at crowded places and it like you I have it for ID purposes. I actually had a really hard time using it at first because I was embarrassed about bringing attention to myself but now I don't care about that. If it gets people to move out of my way then I'm all for it!

Now moving on...since this upcoming trip is my first WDW solo trip I can't speak for any experiences on skipping the dark/windy queue areas which is a big obstacle for me as well. I can only give you some insight from my experiences at DLR which may have some differences so keep that in mind. There is one queue area I despise at DLR and that is the Indiana Jones ride. Even when I have a friend/family member guiding me I still run into walls and etc. I don't ask for a DAS. My cane is the sign that I am visually impaired and may need an alternative entrance. For Indiana Jones, I approached the CM who handles the FP's for disabled folks and explained I needed to go through the exit (like ones who are in the wheelchair) and they issue me a FP for a specific time. In other words, I gained another FP on top of the others I had. Just like a wheelchair, our canes should be evidence enough that we require extra help so we won't need a paper DAS or anything.

Now for the shows...at WDW (if I recall correctly) I would just approach a CM with my cane in hand and ask to be seated up front. I've never been denied this and I've sat upfront for Nemo, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasmic and that stunt car show at DHS.

Since I will be going to WDW before your trip in April, I will definitely get back to you and relay my experiences. I know there are some rides that I originally planned to avoid (Nemo) because of the dark queue areas so I will ask a CM about an alternative entrance and see how it goes.
I hope this helps.

 

[disney world dreamer]

Yes, we are definitely similar too in the ways of the cane! I do not use my cane on a regular basis either as I can function without it while at work, shopping and etc. I do use it at crowded places and it like you I have it for ID purposes. I actually had a really hard time using it at first because I was embarrassed about bringing attention to myself but now I don't care about that. If it gets people to move out of my way then I'm all for it!

Now moving on...since this upcoming trip is my first WDW solo trip I can't speak for any experiences on skipping the dark/windy queue areas which is a big obstacle for me as well. I can only give you some insight from my experiences at DLR which may have some differences so keep that in mind. There is one queue area I despise at DLR and that is the Indiana Jones ride. Even when I have a friend/family member guiding me I still run into walls and etc. I don't ask for a DAS. My cane is the sign that I am visually impaired and may need an alternative entrance. For Indiana Jones, I approached the CM who handles the FP's for disabled folks and explained I needed to go through the exit (like ones who are in the wheelchair) and they issue me a FP for a specific time. In other words, I gained another FP on top of the others I had. Just like a wheelchair, our canes should be evidence enough that we require extra help so we won't need a paper DAS or anything.

Now for the shows...at WDW (if I recall correctly) I would just approach a CM with my cane in hand and ask to be seated up front. I've never been denied this and I've sat upfront for Nemo, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasmic and that stunt car show at DHS.

Since I will be going to WDW before your trip in April, I will definitely get back to you and relay my experiences. I know there are some rides that I originally planned to avoid (Nemo) because of the dark queue areas so I will ask a CM about an alternative entrance and see how it goes.
I hope this helps.

i went to DLR in june/july of 2013 and i know exactly what you are talking about with indiana jones!
i love the ride but hate the line.
and is it just me or does it seem like many lines in DLR have STAIRS?!

i think what you described about talking to a CM was basically DAS without actually getting DAS.
cuz all DAS does is give you a paper "fastpass" to come back.

i do wish that disney would do more to understand the needs of the visually impaired.

since my main issue is dark queues i contacted disneyw orld and asked if using a small flashlight was a reasonable request.
i talked to someone named Travis and he cleared it with his boss.

i only came up with the flashlight idea after my disney world trip this past july and since then i've implemented it at home.
i carry a little flashlight in my purse or my coat pocket.
it has really helped in my every day life.
before i would struggle to see when walking outside at night and would dread my friend picking me up to go somewhere cuz i couldn't see where the car door handle was and it was embarrassing.
now i just use the flashlight and easily find the door handle and feel more confident.

i really wish night vision eyeglass coatings would hurry up and get to the public. (i've seen a number of articles over the last 5yrs saying how close people were to making it available to the general public)

 

[Shock13]

Yes, I think you're right about all the stairs at the DLR rides. Actually stairs at not as bothersome for me but of course still aggravating.
I brought a small flashlight with me on my Universal trip. It helped in some ways but not always. I used it for stairs but in the broad scope of things, it really wasn't any help as the beam was just too small to see the "whole" picture so to speak and some ride queues at Universal such as ET, Mummy and Forbidden Journey were one of worst experiences I've ever had. I found out later from another poster that I could have asked to use an alternative entrance but I didn't think to do it since I thought my flashlight would be enough. Oh well, good to know for next time. I just wanted to give you a heads up about that.

You are right about Disney having a difficult time understanding our limitations since I think they are only versed in needs of people who are in wheelchairs, autism etc. There are just not very many of us. I found that it really depends on the CM. The CM at Indiana Jones didn't even bat an eye at my request to go through the exit. While another CM wouldn't let me enter the theater early to see Aladdin because I didn't have a "priority seating" voucher and told me if I wanted to sit up front then I should have gotten in line earlier. Of course it didn't matter that I was allowed early entrance all the times before. I actually went to Guest Services about this situation and they confirmed I should have been allowed to enter with the priority seating folks.
I haven't ever been denied up front seating for the shows at WDW but I also don't want to come off entitled so for the shows I really want to see I secured a FP+ so I get priority seating.
Nighttime is always an issue for me so I never venture around the parks after it gets dark. It's a good thing that Disney has such awesome transportation so I can have dinner at a resort and just take a bus from one place to another. I am thinking about making one exception however and going to try and see the MSEP on the night of my birthday. I grew up watching this parade and haven't seen it in years so I'm ready to suck it up and deal with the dark and crowds so I can have a bit of nostalgia.

 

[ttintagel]

i think what you described about talking to a CM was basically DAS without actually getting DAS.
cuz all DAS does is give you a paper "fastpass" to come back.

i do wish that disney would do more to understand the needs of the visually impaired.

Yep, this is why I'm getting a cane before my next trip, even though none of the agencies in my area will even train you until you're legally blind (which I'm not yet). Since my impairment is invisible, most frontline CM's refuse to believe I need accommodation. During the GAC days, before I knew I could get one, I was almost always refused seating in the front when I asked and explained why I needed it. Same deal with alternate entrances. Now that there's no provision for vision anymore, I'm hoping the cane will help even though I've never used one at home.

 

[disney world dreamer]

Nighttime is always an issue for me so I never venture around the parks after it gets dark. It's a good thing that Disney has such awesome transportation so I can have dinner at a resort and just take a bus from one place to another. I am thinking about making one exception however and going to try and see the MSEP on the night of my birthday. I grew up watching this parade and haven't seen it in years so I'm ready to suck it up and deal with the dark and crowds so I can have a bit of nostalgia.

i'm going to leave MK before dark and HS is only a half day park for what i want to do but i CANNOT miss illuminations at epcot which for me is probably the hardest park to get around at night cuz it seems to be the least well lit.
i may need two flashlights, my cane, and ask 10 people for help but i'm determined to stay for illuminations and find my way back to the pop century bus lol.

and i'm staying at pop century cuz i'm the most familiar with it plus it seems to be one of the most well lit resorts that i've stayed at.

 

[Shock13]

Yep, this is why I'm getting a cane before my next trip, even though none of the agencies in my area will even train you until you're legally blind (which I'm not yet). Since my impairment is invisible, most frontline CM's refuse to believe I need accommodation. During the GAC days, before I knew I could get one, I was almost always refused seating in the front when I asked and explained why I needed it. Same deal with alternate entrances. Now that there's no provision for vision anymore, I'm hoping the cane will help even though I've never used one at home.

I waited months to get trained on my cane and not because I didn't qualify but because of the lack of resources. I do not use my cane on a regular basis but it is definitely a helpful tool when it comes to vacationing or going to sporting events and etc. I remember also when I was denied close seating to Fantasmic (this was pre-cane). My sister explained to the CM that I was visually impaired and the CM told us about the GAC. I never even knew that was an option! I was already in my 20's when this happened. I still recall how I was able to sit up front for Aladdin after getting the GAC and so enthralled with the fact that I could actually see facial features clearly. It was like watching the show for the very first time! I've had mostly good experiences with the fact that I'm holding a cane in my hand at Disney than I do bad ones. I think having a cane with you on your next trip will be a positive one.

i'm going to leave MK before dark and HS is only a half day park for what i want to do but i CANNOT miss illuminations at epcot which for me is probably the hardest park to get around at night cuz it seems to be the least well lit.
i may need two flashlights, my cane, and ask 10 people for help but i'm determined to stay for illuminations and find my way back to the pop century bus lol.

and i'm staying at pop century cuz i'm the most familiar with it plus it seems to be one of the most well lit resorts that i've stayed at.

I love Illuminations! I actually like it more than Wishes. But you are totally right about Epcot and therefore I just don't want to chance it. I figure with MSEP at least I can sit it out near the flagpole and make that quick exit. I'll be staying at Pop too. Not only is it within my budget but I like the openness of the resort. I stayed at the new Cabana Bay resort at Universal when I did my trip and that was an amazing resort for me. Not only it is indoor corridors but it's open and bright and so easy to manage while visually impaired. I definitely recommend that place if you ever go to Universal.