DAS changes coming WDW May 20/ DL June 18, 2024

[cat4hurricane]

I could see how maybe a patient advocate would be helpful, at least in translating items - I realize Disney isn’t usually involved in medical care, their vet service and position as an employer nonwithstanding - but if someone really is new to advocating, or struggles to appropriately advocate for themselves, talking with someone who does it for a living (in medical spaces) may help them in advocating for themselves later down the line. I realize not everyone has a patient advocate and that it may not really be too extensively helpful, but if we’re talking about good advocating options, a patient advocate would be wonderful in that space.

I realize a lot of people may not have people in their corner advocation-wise, for many it is just them and maybe a spouse or a doctor, younger people may have their parents to help advocate, depending on the age of their parents and when their disability occurred. Ultimately, what they want to hear is why waiting in line isn’t an option for the potential DAS holder, and that can be a short explanation or a very long explanation, having someone in your corner during that time (maybe not a lawyer, that feels like a little much for a video call) could be a really helpful thing, especially if video calls are something that generate anxiety, as I’ve seen on this board and other places. I know video calls cause me anxiety, especially if I knew something like DAS would be on the line, so having someone I know and trust in my corner could help, especially when I struggle to explain things normally.

 

[Jdavidm]

All very excellent suggestions as to how to communicate, but as I stated my original concern, thousands of people in the general public are applying for DAS and I suspect a significant percentage of them do not have the skills you mention. Just really sad. But they can hire them. I just want them to be heard in their best case.

It would be one thing to suggest outreach and assistance to prepare for the DAS video chat. Someone who an individual could describe their needs to and ask for help in explaining it in a way that would be best understood. It’s another thing entirely to bring a lawyer into the call.

Would you bring a lawyer to your child’s school to discuss classroom accommodations?

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

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[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

No. This is a non-adversarial role. There is no place in it for intimidation. It is just being an articulate advocate.

I’m not going to argue with you about the law or legal ethics (which generally prohibit a lawyer from acting as a lawyer when the other party on the call has lawyers who are not present), and I believe you are sincerely trying to help people who are upset they no longer granted DAS, but I want to warn others you are giving inaccurate advice that could potentially be catastrophic for people who take it. At best, it’s going to give Disney pause as to why you hired a lawyer (increasing skepticism about your need), very likely it ends the call (perhaps with an unfavorable notation in your record), and worst case it could permanently impact a legitimate user’s ability to get DAS or even visit the parks.

 

[Jdavidm]

The reason Disney does not want to speak to the doctor is because they have already conceded the point that the applicant has a disability. No issue. They move on to the other relevant issues of the DAS 2024 specific program. Very different than having a professional, non-adversarial advocate to help with articulating their presentation.

But I think you’re missing the part where Disney has the right to refuse someone professional being added to the call?

If someone has difficulty explaining their needs, they can certainly enlist the help of someone in advance to their call to help them learn how to better describe them. No need to involve them in the call itself.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Not true. In reality the skills quickly become identifiable. Also, a non-adversarial advocate role is a part of legal representation too. It can be done by non-lawyers but lawyers also do that.

Try it and let us know how it turns out.

If I were Disney, I would trespass anyone who brought an attorney in to try to intimidate the CM into providing accommodations.

I’m not going to argue with you about the law or legal ethics (which generally prohibit a lawyer from acting as a lawyer when the other party on the call has lawyers who are not present), and I believe you are sincerely trying to help people who are upset they no longer granted DAS, but I want to warn others you are giving inaccurate advice that could potentially be catastrophic for people who take it. At best, it’s going to give Disney pause as to why you hired a lawyer (increasing skepticism about your need), very likely it ends the call (perhaps with an unfavorable notation in your record), and worst case it could permanently impact a legitimate user’s ability to get DAS or even visit the parks.

yep. If I were Disney, I would ask the lawyer to leave the call, and if they refused or the guest refused to ask them to leave, I would end the call and trespass them.

 

[figmentfan423]

It would be one thing to suggest outreach and assistance to prepare for the DAS video chat. Someone who an individual could describe their needs to and ask for help in explaining it in a way that would be best understood. It’s another thing entirely to bring a lawyer into the call.

Would you bring a lawyer to your child’s school to discuss classroom accommodations?

yes and have had to How to contact a free lawyer is right on the paperwork along with the rest of your rights when getting an IEP

 

[Jdavidm]

Try it and let us know how it turns out.

If I were Disney, I would trespass anyone who brought an attorney in to try to intimidate the CM into providing accommodations.

yep. If I were Disney, I would ask the lawyer to leave the call, and if they refused or the guest refused to ask them to leave, I would end the call and trespass them.

This is literally my thought at this point. I would love to know how it goes despite not expecting it to go well. I just don’t like the idea of them suggesting other people try it.

I certainly think it’s not something Disney would expect to happen, that’s for sure.

From my understanding, and I don’t have a law degree by any means, they have the right to refuse to speak to a lawyer unless someone actually bring them to court…

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

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[Ms Bibbidi]

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[Ms Bibbidi]

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[MinnieMSue]

I can see it now. A paid “advocacy” service where you are coached on what to say to improve your odds to receive the das.

 

[OurBigTrip]

A good lawyer who works public service and knows their role can go a long ways to help things work and avoid it becoming adversarial.

Bringing an attorney onto the DAS call does nothing but create an adversarial situation and try to intimidate CMs and medical professionals.

But you do you.

 

[figmentfan423]

A good lawyer who works public service and knows their role can go a long ways to help things work and avoid it becoming adversarial.

My ds got what he needed after court was threatened, we moved very shortly after and never had an issue in the new district

 

[Jdavidm]

I have attended many, many IEP meetings for the educational system. Sometimes the family did bring counsel. It was fact finding, checking the law, knowing when to step back so the educators could do their professional part, clarifying the parent concerns and child needs, making sure the IEP reflected the plan etc. it was intended to be and was non-adversarial so I know it works. The goal of both sides is mostly the same, to get the eligible people into the right program.

Fair enough. I come from a family that never had the spare income to do that type of thing. It’s always had to be my family advocating for me.

However, I still don’t see this going over well with a big company like Disney. By all means though, you have the right to try that method and I’d love to hear how it goes.

For most people however, they’ll have to self-advocate. We HAD to higher a lawyer for a situation once in my adult life and trust me when I say it is not an accessible option for everyone (as much as you might think there are reasonable price ranges, what’s reasonable to you would not be for other people).

 

[KrzyKtty101]

I have attended many, many IEP meetings for the educational system. Sometimes the family did bring counsel. It was fact finding, checking the law, knowing when to step back so the educators could do their professional part, clarifying the parent concerns and child needs, making sure the IEP reflected the plan etc. it was intended to be and was non-adversarial so I know it works. The goal of both sides is mostly the same, to get the eligible people into the right program.

I will say there is a very big difference in ensuring your child gets the educational needs they require, and the self imagined superior vacation/line accommodation.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I think a lot of DAS families aren’t aware, have forgotten, or completely discount how challenging the parks (especially queues) are for other guests.

This is why many people ride during shows, ride at the end of the day, rope drop, follow touring plans, take a mid-day break, buy ILL/G+, tackle parks in the rain, etc. It's not that everyone likes to do those things.... it's to avoid crazy long queues.

Everyone, DAS or not, has to figure out what their priorities are and what works to have a successful day. That might mean making adjustments to their preferred touring method to hit the queues at the less crowded times so waits are doable, or accepting that there will be more time spent in queues / AQR separated from their family if they chose to go on the busy rides at the busy times. It's unreasonable to expect it all to come from Disney.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

Fair enough. I come from a family that never had the spare income to do that type of thing. It’s always had to be my family advocating for me.

That's what I was alluding to earlier with the classist statement. It creates an accidental barrier of haves and have nots. Those with money are almost guaranteed DAS. Those without..good luck.

We already see that left right and center in education.

Edit-fixed "those"

 

[Jdavidm]

That's what I was alluding to earlier with the classist statement. It creates an accidental barrier of haves and have nots. Those with money are almost guaranteed DAS. Close without..good luck.

We already see that left right and center in education.

I’ve honestly never even considered getting a lawyer outside of a court case and I’m realizing now that it has to do with class and whether someone can even consider that expense for something outside of court that could be handled without a lawyer.

I, possibly incorrectly, believed that school related accommodations were mostly managed by the family explaining needs and medical documentation.

But back to the topic at hand…
It would be one thing imo for someone to consider involving a lawyer AFTER a denial. But why would you even go down that route when you could simply explain the needs yourself and see how it goes?

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I can see it now. A paid “advocacy” service where you are coached on what to say to improve your odds to receive the das.

This is exactly what it would become. You don’t need a law degree, just a dishonorable “expert” who will coach you with all the information an intended DAS party would already be familiar with. It makes me angry because I think it will happen (if it isn’t happening already) and will probably result in Disney scrapping the DAS program if there’s no way to sort the groups who truly need it from the ones unethical enough to lie.