Yes. Any basic sign language program will be able to get you started. It really does help when the noise get s loud. For instance in rooms like Haunted mansion, she can just slid her hand into one of ours to let us know what's going if she is having an issue in the dark.
I agree about Disney being a different environment, it's usually the most visited theme park in the world although they throttle their attendance differently than they did before. It is an environment that is loud, crowded, high stimulus, etc. The situations you will be exposed to are ones you are extremely likely to be exposed to elsewhere even if they are of a different caliber. And what comments I've seen a lot that people say in response to what do you do elsewhere is in a nutshell "I avoid them"
Indeed, or at least train the CMs doing the interviews to mention if it applies to the guest before concluding the call.
Not targeting Olliver or nit picking wording, but this is an important distinction. (Thank you, Olliver for saying it this way to bring up a discussion point.)
But DAS is specific to waiting in queues, not about navigating the parks in general. That person will still need to deal with crowds and stimuli throughout the park, as well as the resort, on transportation, and elsewhere. It really comes down to the queue. LLMP and DAS are both through the LL entrance, so exactly the same in that manner.
Again, without being able to go into details - different people, different triggers. Queues are a completely different acoustical and physical experience than walking outside in fantasyland, even when fantasyland is crowded.
Very well said.
Which is why some people may granted DAS by Disney and others not. Even in your example to someone a queue may be the same to them as a crowded park. To them it may not be different in acoustical or physical experience as it affects them all the same (which was more in line with with Ollivier was making references to).
Correct. The person I was replying to seemed to be talking about Disney as a whole being an issue, not just queues. I was trying to indicate that DAS can only help with queues, not the rest of Disney and that LLMP uses the same queue as DAS does.
Most adult folk with disabilities know their body and what they can do and cannot tolerate. They make adjustments and choices based on them and game time decisions when needed.
I really like how posters have been going over what they do in their day to day lives that can translate to the Parks. Even for my husband and I we were a bit over it at Epcot and took a mini break at Riviera via the Skyliner. Got some coffee, took some time in the nice a/c and not crowded lobby while charging our phones. I would do that again in a heartbeat. Actually I've been really wanting to do more exploration of both places in the park that I may have never thought of or the resorts (which we have only done a monorail hopping of) just to give a reset when needed. We ate at Capt'n Cooks at Poly for lunch one day on our last trip just to give a mini break from MK.
Great question. My husband hasn’t learned enough ASL to actually converse much, but I’ve taught him phrases and signs I commonly need. Also, if you’re interested in learning basic ASL, I’d highly recommend signing up for the free online class through https://courses.osd.k12.ok.us/ as I’ve done several courses and this has been the best. They have ASL 1 and ASL 2, it’s self paced and the instruction videos are good. I think fall sign up will open in September. Okay, here’s my list of our words, phrases that I can think of that we use the most.
There are a couple of videos that go over just basic signs that a re really useful in any crowed gathering with a lot of noise and stimuli. MY kiddo really doesn't like to be on her phone at the parks, so we had to figure out other ways that didn't include yelling or texting. You actually would be amazed how many in lines know. Kiddo as able to strike up a few conversations with other kiddo's just because they saw her signing.
Great list! Pretty much covers everything. We added meet for characters and gross, because hello tween kiddo, cool, awesome, angry and disappointed.
Ah yes, angry. I definitely forgot that one haha! We’ve definitely used that one a few times. It wouldn’t be a trip to Disney without someone getting mad or angry haha! I also forgot Hot and Cold.
Thank you.
At the heart of it DAS is intended to help individuals who are "unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time" (taking the diagnosis qualifier out of it). So recognizing that LLMP/LLSP may not work as well for everyone, at the very basics the WAIT is the purpose of both LLMP/LLSP and DAS without directly intending to assist with broader stimulus challenges throughout the parks. DAS may help certain individuals with some personal challenges managing the parks in general, but the intent is to help those who cannot wait in the queue environment.
Dizny Diva: I think THIS is what really needs to come into play with the changes to DAS. Obviously, a lot of people who got DAS before when a lot more was accepted by WDW, will have to make changes in their plans. It's unfortunate that many will have to make difficult adjustments. But I don't think Disney will ever go back to the old DAS - it was just over used as has been said many times before. No need to rehash it again.
As with above: Personal responsibility and Choice. I have a close family member who has very negative reactions to stimuli, rather loud noises, crowds, or just the continued exposure to these stimuli which is at any theme park. Her Mother asked me if I thought she would be able to tolerate WDW. I explained about the constant stimuli and crowds and waiting in lines, heat, etc. She made the decision that her daughter would not be able to handle this at all. So she did not take her to WDW. However, with adjustments she is able to do other things, just not all of them. I know this is an extreme example, but I bet there are others out there who have come to this same conclusion. Personally, my husband can't go to any theme park due to his disabilities now. He has constant adjustments to do what he can do with his worsening disability. I feel for those who have to make adjustments and hope things work out for them.
I agree. Although with the removal of DAS for many...juggling ADR, park ressies for AP holders, transportation, LL, plus the last minute day to day struggles is not possible for some. Some must spend extra time and energy to navigate the World. It can be physically and mentally exhausting on a different level. It I can be very stressful and not doable for some guests under the new guidelines. We purchased LL and rented an SUV for past trips to supplement DAS and transportation issues. It's especially difficult not knowing if you can still receive DAS until 30 days prior to your visit. Some things cannot be cancelled at that point.
