Article: Is Disney Dissing the Disabled?

[Talking Hands]

I have used the GAC for about 10 years now and for me it has worked well. The new changes are going to make life more difficult for me. I have multiple disabilities including mobility and hearing. One of the things that will be more difficult will having to go to the ride to get a return time to come back. This will mean using more power with my powered wheelchair reducing the time I will able to go without stopping and charging my batteries. I normally bypass the normal lines because I get panic attacks especially when people try to squeeze past the wheelchair and hit my hand and controller causing the w/c to turn and possibly clipping or running over a foot or tipping me over. Because of my hearing loss I prefer interpreted shows. These are scheduled so I need to be at specific place at a specific time. How is that going to mesh with getting return times. I guess I have to deal with it but it will make it harder for me to enjoy the few rides I am still able to do.

 

[Talking Hands]

I'd say that many of the disabled can use FP+. Those who stay offsite may not be able to or at least can't do so yet.

And some of us need to be at specific shows which fasspass plus doesn't allow. All the things I wanted to do that had fastpass plus at AK I needed specific shows because I needed to go to the interpreted shows.

 

[KGK]

Well perhaps if we could convince WDW to limit attendance. Less people in the park, lower wait times for all. Ha Ha like that's going to happen.

But then again, I try to go during the slow seasons. Works for me. Shh, don't tell anyone but all but a few rides are walk-ons during the slow periods.

For those of you attacking (for lack of a better word) parents with special need children, shame on you.

For parents with special needs children, some of their points, no matter if we want to hear them or not, are valid. It's just too bad they can't distinguish between the people who really need help and the cheaters. Kinda lumping all of us together just doesn't feel right. And so we argue in order to attempt to protect our children..... as I've said before in other threads, save your breath they will never understand.

 

[Robbi]

Well perhaps if we could convince WDW to limit attendance. Less people in the park, lower wait times for all. Ha Ha like that's going to happen.

But then again, I try to go during the slow seasons. Works for me. Shh, don't tell anyone but all but a few rides are walk-ons during the slow periods.

For those of you attacking (for lack of a better word) parents with special need children, shame on you.

For parents with special needs children, some of their points, no matter if we want to hear them or not, are valid. It's just too bad they can't distinguish between the people who really need help and the cheaters. Kinda lumping all of us together just doesn't feel right. And so we argue in order to attempt to protect our children..... as I've said before in other threads, save your breath they will never understand.

two words:
Amen
Karma

 

[becpee]

For those of you attacking (for lack of a better word) parents with special need children, shame on you.

For parents with special needs children, some of their points, no matter if we want to hear them or not, are valid. It's just too bad they can't distinguish between the people who really need help and the cheaters. Kinda lumping all of us together just doesn't feel right. And so we argue in order to attempt to protect our children..... as I've said before in other threads, save your breath they will never understand.

I don't think i've seen any attacking going on in her, it's been a pretty level headed debate so far from both sides.

Everybody has some valid points, just because there are parents with special needs children I don't think it makes their points any more valid than those with fully functioning (for lack of a better term) children, everybody wants to protect their children and make the best situation for them that they possibly can.

 

[OurBigTrip]

For those of you attacking (for lack of a better word) parents with special need children, shame on you.

For parents with special needs children, some of their points, no matter if we want to hear them or not, are valid. It's just too bad they can't distinguish between the people who really need help and the cheaters. Kinda lumping all of us together just doesn't feel right. And so we argue in order to attempt to protect our children..... as I've said before in other threads, save your breath they will never understand.

No one is attacking anyone, just stating opinions...and here's mine...and all comments exclude any child at WDW with Make a Wish or similar organization.

No one needs front of the line access, not even guests with cognitive disabilities. They can wait in a comfortable place and show up when it's their turn.

No one needs to ride the same ride multiple times without waiting. It's completely unfair to the guests that paid the same (or more) than the family that is demanding that all six of them be able to ride an attraction four or five times with no wait.

No guest should feel that they have the right to continuously negatively impact the experience of other guests just because their child was born with different abilities.

Having a rough life 51 weeks out of the year has nothing to do with what you should expect at WDW - the two are unrelated.

Special needs doesn't mean special in the sense that your needs trump everyone else's. Your kids are no more special than my kids, and they don't deserve an experience that is any better than what my kids should expect.

 

[Allison]

Well perhaps if we could convince WDW to limit attendance. Less people in the park, lower wait times for all. Ha Ha like that's going to happen.

But then again, I try to go during the slow seasons. Works for me. Shh, don't tell anyone but all but a few rides are walk-ons during the slow periods.

For those of you attacking (for lack of a better word) parents with special need children, shame on you.

For parents with special needs children, some of their points, no matter if we want to hear them or not, are valid. It's just too bad they can't distinguish between the people who really need help and the cheaters. Kinda lumping all of us together just doesn't feel right. And so we argue in order to attempt to protect our children..... as I've said before in other threads, save your breath they will never understand.

It isn't just about cheaters. The number of people requesting accomodations has overwhelmed the system.. Cheaters or not, it wasn't a sustainable system.

Have you seen this article http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3695/

 

[BigAlsGal]

It isn't just about cheaters. The number of people requesting accomodations has overwhelmed the system.. Cheaters or not, it wasn't a sustainable system.

Have you seen this article http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3695/

 

[MJMcBride]

We discussed this a bit on the last Radio Harambe. I don't think I like the change. I can't believe disney just can't make sure the right people get the GAC.

 

[Robbi]

We discussed this a bit on the last Radio Harambe. I don't think I like the change. I can't believe disney just can't make sure the right people get the GAC.

I agree. Many have said they would be willing to show paperwork from their doctor. Disney cannot ask but what's to stop someone from volunteering the information. It would nip most of the cheating in the bud.

 

[Schmeck]

No one is attacking anyone, just stating opinions...and here's mine...and all comments exclude any child at WDW with Make a Wish or similar organization.

No one needs front of the line access, not even guests with cognitive disabilities. They can wait in a comfortable place and show up when it's their turn.

No one needs to ride the same ride multiple times without waiting. It's completely unfair to the guests that paid the same (or more) than the family that is demanding that all six of them be able to ride an attraction four or five times with no wait.

No guest should feel that they have the right to continuously negatively impact the experience of other guests just because their child was born with different abilities.

Having a rough life 51 weeks out of the year has nothing to do with what you should expect at WDW - the two are unrelated.

Special needs doesn't mean special in the sense that your needs trump everyone else's. Your kids are no more special than my kids, and they don't deserve an experience that is any better than what my kids should expect.

You've described the entitlement card (or the pity me card) that a lot of parents with disabled children play when they are stressed, depressed, feeling to blame for their child's disability, etc. I've worked with special needs children for over a decade, have a few in my family, lost my sweetest "fairy god child" when she was 3, and I refuse to play that card.

We all have issues - cancer (coming up on my 10 year survival), death in the family, loss of income, divorce, social situations, I could go on and on. Having a child with a disability is one issue (or one could call it a burden if one feels it is such) that one has to live with. Other people have issues too.

My plan is to go to WDW whenever I can afford to go, as long as I am healthy enough to go. There will come a time when I cannot ride all the rides there, or stay out in the sun, or see very well, but I think I'll still go and enjoy myself. A WDW vacation is not an entitlement, nor is it a right. Disney follows the ADA (and goes above it, IMO) to allow the opportunity of accessibility. As a PP stated, there's no quota on the number of rides a day's admission allows.

 

[BigAlsGal]

You've described the entitlement card (or the pity me card) that a lot of parents with disabled children play when they are stressed, depressed, feeling to blame for their child's disability, etc. I've worked with special needs children for over a decade, have a few in my family, lost my sweetest "fairy god child" when she was 3, and I refuse to play that card.

We all have issues - cancer (coming up on my 10 year survival), death in the family, loss of income, divorce, social situations, I could go on and on. Having a child with a disability is one issue (or one could call it a burden if one feels it is such) that one has to live with. Other people have issues too.

My plan is to go to WDW whenever I can afford to go, as long as I am healthy enough to go. There will come a time when I cannot ride all the rides there, or stay out in the sun, or see very well, but I think I'll still go and enjoy myself. A WDW vacation is not an entitlement, nor is it a right. Disney follows the ADA (and goes above it, IMO) to allow the opportunity of accessibility. As a PP stated, there's no quota on the number of rides a day's admission allows.

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

I have used the GAC for about 10 years now and for me it has worked well. The new changes are going to make life more difficult for me. I have multiple disabilities including mobility and hearing. One of the things that will be more difficult will having to go to the ride to get a return time to come back. This will mean using more power with my powered wheelchair reducing the time I will able to go without stopping and charging my batteries. I normally bypass the normal lines because I get panic attacks especially when people try to squeeze past the wheelchair and hit my hand and controller causing the w/c to turn and possibly clipping or running over a foot or tipping me over. Because of my hearing loss I prefer interpreted shows. These are scheduled so I need to be at specific place at a specific time. How is that going to mesh with getting return times. I guess I have to deal with it but it will make it harder for me to enjoy the few rides I am still able to do.

It is in the link someone posted Disney has officially said that the return times for DAS will not be enforced. They don't care when you go, as long as you wait the minimum.

I would think that a DAS might work if you have a panic attack issue along with hearing loss. I can see why that you'd feel that way, not being a smart butt here, but you can't even hear if they are coming up on you.

I can see where the battery charging thing may be some kind of issue, but I think that one isn't easy as covered, bc it's not really an issue for DAS and Disney provides charging stations or if you ask they can let you know where you can plug in...I would think it not something covered by the ADA.

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

I don't think i've seen any attacking going on in her, it's been a pretty level headed debate so far from both sides.

Everybody has some valid points, just because there are parents with special needs children I don't think it makes their points any more valid than those with fully functioning (for lack of a better term) children, everybody wants to protect their children and make the best situation for them that they possibly can.

I would also like to point out the people who are on the pro DAS side who have already stated more than once that they themselves are disabled or have special needs children. Somehow, we seemed to get lost in the shuffle.

No one is attacking anyone, just stating opinions...and here's mine...and all comments exclude any child at WDW with Make a Wish or similar organization.

No one needs front of the line access, not even guests with cognitive disabilities. They can wait in a comfortable place and show up when it's their turn.

No one needs to ride the same ride multiple times without waiting. It's completely unfair to the guests that paid the same (or more) than the family that is demanding that all six of them be able to ride an attraction four or five times with no wait.

No guest should feel that they have the right to continuously negatively impact the experience of other guests just because their child was born with different abilities.

Having a rough life 51 weeks out of the year has nothing to do with what you should expect at WDW - the two are unrelated.

Special needs doesn't mean special in the sense that your needs trump everyone else's. Your kids are no more special than my kids, and they don't deserve an experience that is any better than what my kids should expect.

It isn't just about cheaters. The number of people requesting accomodations has overwhelmed the system.. Cheaters or not, it wasn't a sustainable system.

Have you seen this article http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3695/

You've described the entitlement card (or the pity me card) that a lot of parents with disabled children play when they are stressed, depressed, feeling to blame for their child's disability, etc. I've worked with special needs children for over a decade, have a few in my family, lost my sweetest "fairy god child" when she was 3, and I refuse to play that card.

We all have issues - cancer (coming up on my 10 year survival), death in the family, loss of income, divorce, social situations, I could go on and on. Having a child with a disability is one issue (or one could call it a burden if one feels it is such) that one has to live with. Other people have issues too.

My plan is to go to WDW whenever I can afford to go, as long as I am healthy enough to go. There will come a time when I cannot ride all the rides there, or stay out in the sun, or see very well, but I think I'll still go and enjoy myself. A WDW vacation is not an entitlement, nor is it a right. Disney follows the ADA (and goes above it, IMO) to allow the opportunity of accessibility. As a PP stated, there's no quota on the number of rides a day's admission allows.

 

[missbrooke06]

I agree. Many have said they would be willing to show paperwork from their doctor. Disney cannot ask but what's to stop someone from volunteering the information. It would nip most of the cheating in the bud.

That doesn't work though. Is Disney only giving a pass to people that "volunteer" paperwork? That's a requirement.

If you've ever had an employment lawyer speak at your place of business, what they always say in regards to medical issues they always say "YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR." Cast members aren't medical professionals. They are not capable of evaluating medical documentation properly. It opens them up to huge discrimination lawsuits.

 

[Robbi]

That doesn't work though. Is Disney only giving a pass to people that "volunteer" paperwork? That's a requirement.

If you've ever had an employment lawyer speak at your place of business, what they always say in regards to medical issues they always say "YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR." Cast members aren't medical professionals. They are not capable of evaluating medical documentation properly. It opens them up to huge discrimination lawsuits.

It would not have to be mandatory.
As I posted a while ago, if the new plan doesn't work well, we'll just book VIP tours.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Sharon, I feel for you. My middle DS is on the spectrum and cognitively impaired, and like your son, he loves Disney and always responded well there and was far more interactive there than he ever was at home. He learned to recognize his name there, his colors there, and even finally, at almost 8 years old, was finally potty trained there. People who do not have a child with disabilities simply cannot understand what everyday life is like for families with children with disabilities. If our lives seem 'easier' the one week a year we are at Disney because we might be able to get on an attraction faster than someone with typically developing children can, they should look at our lives the other 51 weeks a year.

Fortunately for us, our DS has come a long way. He is 16, with a mental age of 7 and PDD, but he is communicative. I think for him, Disney's new policy will work, because he is able to tolerate moderate waits, particularly if he is not stuck in a small space with other closely crowded around as is the case in the regular lines. When he was little, it probably would not have worked, especially on the days when the meltdowns were so frequent and we were lucky if we could do 4-6 hours in the park. For families that currently have those challenges, and even worse challenges that this policy is not going to work for, I feel very sorry for them, and angry at those who abused the system.

Here's my question.....people say Disney can't check for 'proof' of disability, hence why it was so easy to scam the system. My question is, why not? Why is that a violation of privacy? My dad has a handicap placard for his car, and I'm pretty sure he had to have a doctor's note detailing his need for it before it was issued. How is this any different? To me, if you are asking for accommodations that differ from what everyone else gets, you should have to prove it. Anybody that has a problem with that probably doesn't really have a true need! And yes, I do know of several families who have children on the spectrum who did not truly need the GAC for faster access to attractions (because really, that is what it typically provides, not always, but generally if it's not a mobility issue), but heard you could get it so they did. These are families who go to Hershey Park, Dutch Wonderland, and other places and stand in the regular lines and the kids are fine. So yes, I do believe this system was abused even by those who were not totally lying, their child had a disability but they greatly exagerated the needs in order to get the GAC. Shame on them.

Because a HC parking tag provides 'better than' normal parking so it can/does require proof of a need for this 'benefit'. But here's the 'KEY', the GAC was not designed to provide BETTER THAN but was supposed to provide EQUAL access for the disabled. So in order to 'require' proof of a need Disney would have to admit that it was giving better access with a GAC. They are not gonna do that!! Ain't gonna happen!

This is where so many people don't seem to understand. Again, I am going to say I am disabled myself, and have a DD with special needs before I continue....

The GAC or DAS was never intended to be a "feel bad bc we have a hard life 51 weeks of the year" pass. It is not about who has it the hardest. Believe me, as a parent of a special needs DD, I get it, I get how hard it is. I also know that there are others much worse off than my DD and my family, for that I am grateful. They could never base the GAC or DAS on who's life is harder. Who is to say, especially not Disney, who's condition is worse, and who deserves shorter wait times bc of it. If people are upset, they should be upset with the people you write about it your last paragraph...the ones who abuse by exaggeration and wanting the perks and the outright cheaters. There got to be too many people needing this accommodation and the purpose is defeated.

As far as the proof of a disability, from what I understand it comes down to HIPPA and ADA requirements. They can not ask it's the law.



Sorry this has nothing to do with anything, but your avatar pic writing intrigued me. What is like combining the tea cups with a roller coaster? I am interested...not bc I want a ride, tea cups make me sick.

bolding is mine...

HIPPA has nothing to do with any of this.... HIPPA has to do with protecting your medical records...it applies to those who have access to them such as Drs, nurses, hospitals, ins companies. They cannot discuss your medical info without your permission and they must go to great extent to protect your info and privacy.

ADA says that they cannot ask for proof of disability for 'equal access'. The intention of the GAC was to provide 'equal' access. It has evolved into something far different which Disney would probably never admit to... I don't see Disney agreeing to give 'better' access which is what they would have to give in order to be able to ask for 'proof of disability'. I can only imagine the major uproar that would cause!

 

[Allison]

I agree. Many have said they would be willing to show paperwork from their doctor. Disney cannot ask but what's to stop someone from volunteering the information. It would nip most of the cheating in the bud.

No it wouldn't. If Disney can't ask, they can't deny access if someone doesn't show paperwork.

And again, this focuses on the people who cheated the system. Cut those people out and the program still doesn't work as too many people are using it.

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

That doesn't work though. Is Disney only giving a pass to people that "volunteer" paperwork? That's a requirement.

If you've ever had an employment lawyer speak at your place of business, what they always say in regards to medical issues they always say "YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR." Cast members aren't medical professionals. They are not capable of evaluating medical documentation properly. It opens them up to huge discrimination lawsuits.

Yep. Also, I want to add that if they were to do that, then we are back at the issue of what disabilities will qualify and who has the worse condition? CM's aren't medical professionals and shouldn't be deciding who's condition is worse than others and deserves a DAS. Instead of taking some of the burden of CM's to make decisions, it would add to it.

 

[manning]

I had a stroke a few years back. My problem is walking up/down stairs and steep inclines. I use the card to be able to sit where I don't have to tackle those obstacles for me. It is somewhat a challenge to stand in line. I go to WDW with my wife. I have no problem to sit in an area while my wife waits in line. When she gets to the front all she has to do is show the card and I rejoin her.