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

[sbelyo]

Consider, it can't be purely profit driven because Disney is still offering DAS to for certain difficulties.
If it was purely profit driven, Disney would nix the DAS program in its entirety. Imagine the $$$ they would save doing that! They wouldn't have to employ anyone to answer DAS phone lines or answer DAS questions in the park. They wouldn't have to hire outside consultants. They could simply tell EVERYONE to use AQR/rider swap options. That would be the way to save money, if that's the biggest motivation. And it would be much simpler for guests to understand / no one could complain that certain disabilities were treated differently.

I'll agree with you there, it's not purely profit driven. However, they will conveniently profit something from this. I would support the discontinuance of the DAS program because it would make everyone equal. My disagreement is the manner in which they are deciding who gets it and who doesn't. That's a civil rights violation in my book. You can't segregate disabilities. You're either disabled or your not and if the disabled people are causing the issue then discontinue it for all at that point.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I'll agree with you there, it's not purely profit driven. However, they will conveniently profit something from this. I would support the discontinuance of the DAS program because it would make everyone equal. My disagreement is the manner in which they are deciding who gets it and who doesn't. That's a civil rights violation in my book. You can't segregate disabilities. You're either disabled or your not and if the disabled people are causing the issue then discontinue it for all at that point.

Running the risk that @lanejudy will get upset for talking about this here vs. the other thread…I think that the part that is being overlooked is that the program is about NEEDS, not just disability/diagnosis. So 2 people might be disabled but their needs - specifically their inability to wait in lines - can be very different. Simplistically someone whose only issue is mobility-related could be accommodated by making lines wheelchair-accessible. Someone who needs to stay out of the sun wouldn’t need to access the LL in an all-inside ride. Even 2 people with the same diagnosis might have completely different needs.

Ultimately Disney isn’t judging whether or not a person is disabled “enough” at all. They are trying to judge a) the guest’s ability to wait in the standard queue and b) what would be the least-disruptive alternative if they are not. That’s also why they are trying to separate those guests who have issues all of the time vs. those for whom DAS was precautionary. Unfortunately for many, bladder issues fall into the latter category, at least according to Disney’s current thought process.

If you feel like going down this rabbit hole I’d strongly suggest dedicating about a week to reading the 400+ page thread talking about all of the issues you have raised. It probably won’t make you feel better, but at least it might help to add some additional perspective.

 

[lanejudy]

You can't segregate disabilities.

This is absolutely incorrect. Accommodations are based on needs, not everyone with a disability has a need, and even those with the same "diagnosis" may not have the same need. Yes, disabilities can be "segregated" (your term) based on who needs what. Think about that logically -- not every disability must be accommodated in the same manner.

 

[Evita_W]

From what was said earlier in this thread also, this kiosk is for more than just requesting DAS. It's for requesting all manner of accommodations, including stroller as a wheelchair. Which used to be done inside the park at guest relations. So we can't assume it was 90 mins long solely from people waiting for DAS interviews.

Sorry, perhaps I didn’t make my point clear, those who are blind cannot use the website, this 90 minute wait is not fair to them, honestly this system has been poorly implemented.

 

[starlite_]

Sorry, perhaps I didn’t make my point clear, those who are blind cannot use the website, this 90 minute wait is not fair to them, honestly this system has been poorly implemented.

You do realize that screen readers are a thing right? Blind folks can use websites just fine. In fact, it's a gob requirement for websites to be accessible via screen readers when a company meets certain qualifications.

 

[lanejudy]

Sorry, perhaps I didn’t make my point clear, those who are blind cannot use the website, this 90 minute wait is not fair to them, honestly this system has been poorly implemented.

Zoom has accessibility features. And likely a person with vision disability has other tools or apps to help them utilize the internet and various websites, or a companion who helps. WDW is all video chat; only DLR has an in-person option.

 

[Evita_W]

Zoom has accessibility features. And likely a person with vision disability has other tools or apps to help them utilize the internet and various websites, or a companion who helps. WDW is all video chat; only DLR has an in-person option.

Actually, there was a youtube video talking about this, the tools do not work with the way Disney has their site setup, making the site inaccessible to those who are blind, leaving them no options but in park or in park video chat. Additionally, even if it did work, the way the tools work is technically recording the chat, which is explicitly prohibited.

 

[Evita_W]

You do realize that screen readers are a thing right? Blind folks can use websites just fine. In fact, it's a gob requirement for websites to be accessible via screen readers when a company meets certain qualifications.

Except there is a youtube video discussing how they do not work on Disney’s chat system and Disney’s chat system provides no audible notifications. Additionally, have to sit there and refresh can be complicated for a blind user.

 

[starlite_]

Sorry, perhaps I didn’t make my point clear, those who are blind cannot use the website, this 90 minute wait is not fair to them, honestly this system has been poorly implemented.

You do realize that screen readers are a thing right? Blind folks can use websites just fine. In fact, it's a gob requirement for websites to be accessible via screen readers when a company meets certain qualifications.

 

[Evita_W]

You do realize that screen readers are a thing right? Blind folks can use websites just fine. In fact, it's a gob requirement for websites to be accessible via screen readers when a company meets certain qualifications.

You already said that once, and I pointed out that there is a Youtube video discussing how the screen readers don’t work with how Disney has the chat setup.

 

[sbelyo]

This is absolutely incorrect. Accommodations are based on needs, not everyone with a disability has a need, and even those with the same "diagnosis" may not have the same need. Yes, disabilities can be "segregated" (your term) based on who needs what. Think about that logically -- not every disability must be accommodated in the same manner.

I am 100% correct that you can't segregate disabilities. The law states "It is unlawful for an individual to be denied access or to receive poor service or lesser quality accommodations because of his or her race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, disability, familial status or religion" If someone urinates on themself in line, or has a physical breakdown because they were shot at from behind in the gulf war and a stroller touched their back, this result poorer service.

What you're saying is that you CAN segregate accommodations. Those is two different things. I support accommodating each disabled person based on their needs. You're 100% correct in that a disabled person's needs can vary from person to person and if an accommodation other than the DAS will work than so be it. But when it doesn't you have to "sing for your supper" to a process that segregates disabilities. That's breaking the law

 

[Karin1984]

You already said that once, and I pointed out that there is a Youtube video discussing how the screen readers don’t work with how Disney has the chat setup.

Do you have a link to that video? I tried to find it, but no luck yet.
I'm curious what their experiences are.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

But when it doesn't you have to "sing for your supper" to a process that segregates disabilities. That's breaking the law

Can you please explain what you mean by “sing for your supper?" I don’t think that I understand what you are getting at and I don’t want to assume.

 

[sbelyo]

Can you please explain what you mean by “sing for your supper?" I don’t think that I understand what you are getting at and I don’t want to assume.

you have to go over your needs and reasons again. Then explain why the accommodation didn't work for you. At that point you've already done this once before within the last 30 days, and previously every 60. Now it'll be every 120. And after you have gone through this, they have used your answers to form their own opinion of whether or not they have done their best to accommodate you. The result is based on someone determining your disability derived needs from a corporations point of view. That whole process is tiring, segregative, discriminatory, and a violation of civil rights.

 

[mhautz]

I am 100% correct that you can't segregate disabilities. The law states "It is unlawful for an individual to be denied access or to receive poor service or lesser quality accommodations because of his or her race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, disability, familial status or religion" If someone urinates on themself in line, or has a physical breakdown because they were shot at from behind in the gulf war and a stroller touched their back, this result poorer service.

What you're saying is that you CAN segregate accommodations. Those is two different things. I support accommodating each disabled person based on their needs. You're 100% correct in that a disabled person's needs can vary from person to person and if an accommodation other than the DAS will work than so be it. But when it doesn't you have to "sing for your supper" to a process that segregates disabilities. That's breaking the law

I’m a little confused by your definition of segregation. I think we can all agree that segregation of people over traits that have no bearing on their abilities is inherently wrong, but disabilities are an area where it is necessary to treat people differently in order to get an equal result. If we were to not segregate, we would just require all people to stand in the same line. I understand your sentiment, but using such a loaded term in the wrong context doesn’t help matters

I think the other important context that everyone has to remember is a two hour long queue is horrible for everyone. It is not discriminatory to require a disabled person to suffer an equivalent level of misery that a non-disabled person would have to deal with. You just can’t be forced to suffer more as a result of your disability. You can be mad at Disney setting up such a low bar, but technically that low bar is all they have to meet to be “fair”. It’s reasonable to hold them accountable as a customer for not giving you more than the bare minimum, but let’s not mistake that for some sort of illegal action.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

you have to go over your needs and reasons again. Then explain why the accommodation didn't work for you. At that point you've already done this once before within the last 30 days, and previously every 60. Now it'll be every 120. And after you have gone through this, they have used your answers to form their own opinion of whether or not they have done their best to accommodate you. The result is based on someone determining your disability derived needs from a corporations point of view. That whole process is tiring, segregative, discriminatory, and a violation of civil rights.

But needs change over time, no? Some disabilities are temporary, or may improve over time. Others are permanent. Do you really want Disney storing enough personal medical information to be able to judge how long you might qualify for, particularly as the system is evolving so what qualifies may change over time?

Self certification of needs without going over reasons with a CM would cause the system to implode under its own weight. We are already seeing that with the level of screening that was already in place. Disney has to gate keep somehow, and some might say that they have become more generous in letting passes stay active for longer (120 days vs. 30/60 days previously).

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

you have to go over your needs and reasons again. Then explain why the accommodation didn't work for you. At that point you've already done this once before within the last 30 days, and previously every 60. Now it'll be every 120. And after you have gone through this, they have used your answers to form their own opinion of whether or not they have done their best to accommodate you. The result is based on someone determining your disability derived needs from a corporations point of view. That whole process is tiring, segregative, discriminatory, and a violation of civil rights.

Just one example of why needs may change over time...
Let’s pretend for a moment that mobility issues qualified for DAS (so as not to give a roadmap to cheaters). If Disney makes the lines more accessible, then that is no longer a need. But someone who is permanently in a wheelchair under the “only discuss the needs once and never again” plan would either be granted DAS for life - and no longer need it - or have to have medical information stored by Disney to the effect that DAS is granted for mobility issues, and then Disney would have to screen their database for everyone who previously qualified for that and then remove their accommodation. That would lead to its own round of “I was a DAS user for X years but now have been kicked out” or “how dare Disney store my personal medical information,” not to mention the risk that Disney runs afoul of whatever privacy laws are in place to protect medical data.

 

[jennab]

I'll agree with you there, it's not purely profit driven. However, they will conveniently profit something from this. I would support the discontinuance of the DAS program because it would make everyone equal. My disagreement is the manner in which they are deciding who gets it and who doesn't. That's a civil rights violation in my book. You can't segregate disabilities. You're either disabled or your not and if the disabled people are causing the issue then discontinue it for all at that point.

But needs are NOT equal. Some disabled people cannot comprehend waiting in a queue and others can. Those are the people Disney has decided DAS is an accommodation for.

 

[sbelyo]

But needs change over time, no? Some disabilities are temporary, or may improve over time. Others are permanent. Do you really want Disney storing enough personal medical information to be able to judge how long you might qualify for, particularly as the system is evolving so what qualifies may change over time?

Self certification of needs without going over reasons with a CM would cause the system to implode under its own weight. We are already seeing that with the level of screening that was already in place. Disney has to gate keep somehow, and some might say that they have become more generous in letting passes stay active for longer (120 days vs. 30/60 days previously).

yes, needs do change. I believe I've provided my experiences over the last 38 years to show that. Mine is permanent. I don't mind Disney storing information on a medical diagnosis and outlined needs, no. In fact this would alleviate the need to do it every 60. Just store the proof or decision like honoring an IBCCES card like Universal and Six Flags. Then, you don't have to do any of the process at 30-120 days. You can do it yearly like the parks mentioned above. This cuts the process down from 4 times a year to 1. That's a 75% reduction in time, wages, and resources all for using a service that currently exists instead of inventing your own. It also get's rid of those who cheat and abuse of the system. I don't see a downside on that.

 

[sbelyo]

But needs are NOT equal. Some disabled people cannot comprehend waiting in a queue and others can. Those are the people Disney has decided DAS is an accommodation for.

The constitution of the united states and civil rights law does not give Disney the ability to decide what anyone's disability derived needs are more important that the next person.