Could I make my own GAC?

[Jellifer]

I've been pondering the new DAS system and most of my problems are not solved by the card. I need things like slowed walkways, front of arena seating and advice on things jutting out of walls.

I am going to ask for a DAS card when I'm on holiday in November because we have that solution here in the UK for theme parks and it helps me to enjoy my favourite rides without putting me at as much risk of injury/seizure.

Is it allowed for me to make up business cards to give to cast members to make them aware of my issues with the ride belt/stairs/shows? I'm really shy and hate having to explain my problems in public.

Obviously I'd make sure my cards look nothing like my old GAC, just a business card with a message for the cast members written on it.

 

[joanchris]

I would imagine listing the few things you need in a brief format would be a way around having to speak to the CMs at each ride. I think I remember seeing a post somewhere here about someone asking something similar, in their case I think they didn't want to keep listing the issues around their child.

 

[bopper]

Keep in mind I think there are some walk ways that can't be slowed, so make sure to ask before you go through line.

Also, maybe have one card for rides, and one for shows so you don't confuse people.

 

[Schmeck]

If you are uncomfortable speaking to the CM, by all means have the card out and ready when you approach the queue. But what if they have a question about it? Then what?

 

[Jellifer]

I wouldn't mind answering the occasional question. Last time I was at WDW I had a CM in the American pavilion scream at me for trying to use the lift even though I had a red and white cane (that's what we use in the UK when someone is deaf and blind - turns out that's not as universal as we thought) I also hurt my head on buzz light year because we asked a CM at the ride if it was ok for an unaccompanied visually impaired person and they said yes, I went over on the belt and hit my head quite badly.

Things I have learned is that visually impaired in the UK means blind, in America means "visions a bit rubbish I should really put on glasses". Also red tipped canes aren't exclusive to deaf blind state side which caused confusion.

I just don't want to have to go to every ride and say in front of a whole bunch of people that I'm deafblind, if it's written down it's less likely to cause people to yell at me or go get an ASL interpreter which isn't much good when 1. I'm British and 2. I can't see the interpreters hands!

 

[Talking Hands]

I realize that an ASL interpreter will do you no good but aren't there interpreters in the UK that work with deafblind and sign in your hands so you can feel it. We do here in the US. Also deafblind in the US is legally deaf and legally blind but the person may have some vision and some hearing but not enough for speech. Some may have Ushers while others like one of my friends has Macular Degeneration. Each requires different strategies when it comes to interpreting for them.
I think the card is a really good idea to avoid having to explain to every CM in front of other guests.
I have an app called BuzzCards that I use to show different needs I don't want to advertise to the world

 

[Jellifer]

There is a sensory sign language but I don't use it because I didn't ever think id have to.

I was born with 70% hearing loss and perfect vision so I learned BSL and lip reading because not many people in the UK can sign. At this stage I had enough hearing to benefit from speech therapy and I went to a special language school to learn to talk legibly so when I went to high school a lot of people didn't even realise I was deaf.

Then I got a virus in my brain and lost 50% of my vision which is enough to be partially sighted here. Things got worse until I ended up with a visual acuity that is 3/60 plus a massive hole in my vision caused by enlarged blind spots from swelling at my optic discs and double vision from problems with the muscles around my eyes "wobbling" to compensate for the blind spots. That put me on the blind register because the vision I have left is basically useless.

A charity offered to teach me sensory sign but so few people know it that they couldn't get a tutor for me in the end. If other people want to talk to me I can make out enough sound to get by and I can have my speech understood by people who are familiar with a Glasgow accent but there won't be many cast members who fit that bill.

 

[Andianna]

I think a card is a great idea if it short and to the point of what your needs are. I have found most.CM very accommodating

 

[ttintagel]

It certainly couldn't hurt to try. Heaven knows verbally explaining my needs as a visually impaired person doesn't always work - maybe having them written down would make it easier for the CM's!

Even though I'm not legally blind and I don't need a cane to navigate under normal circumstances, I've pretty much decided to get a white ID cane before my next WDW trip, just to make myself more visible to CM's and other guests in darker and more crowded areas. I wouldn't need it if people behaved more reasonably, but I guess that's just the way things are nowadays.

 

[ttintagel]

Keep in mind I think there are some walk ways that can't be slowed, so make sure to ask before you go through line.

Also, maybe have one card for rides, and one for shows so you don't confuse people.

Peter Pan's Flight and the PeopleMover in the Magic Kingdom have the only two moving walkways that can't be slowed.

That's a great idea about the different ride/show cards. Maybe use a different color cardstock for each one so it's easier to quickly grab the one you need.

 

[Jellifer]

I thought about it when I was thinking about how to word my allergy cards.

I can't ride the people moved because I have a pacemaker and didn't try Peter Pan last time I went, is it a "must do" or should I just skip it again?

 

[SueM in MN]

I thought about it when I was thinking about how to word my allergy cards.

I can't ride the people moved because I have a pacemaker and didn't try Peter Pan last time I went, is it a "must do" or should I just skip it again?

Peter Pan has a walkway that can't be slowed, plus a very short time and distance for loading.
In a situation where someone can watch the moving walkway for a while to plan their approach and timing, it might be doable. In your situation, I would not risk it.

 

[Tink575]

I thought about it when I was thinking about how to word my allergy cards.

I can't ride the people moved because I have a pacemaker and didn't try Peter Pan last time I went, is it a "must do" or should I just skip it again?

I am visually impaired but not completely blind (some central vision only) and have orthopedic/nerve issues. I foolishly tried Peter Pan in December by trying to have my dh go first and following him. The sides of the car are oddly shaped and you have to lift your leg a little over the part to get out of the car. I tripped onto the moving exit belt, was propelled forward and slammed into my dh at the end who was going to try to grab me. I like PP but I am quitting while I'm ahead. I suggest real caution.

 

[Jellifer]

Thanks Sue and Tink, I'll give it a miss