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

[nalababybear]

Oh it didn’t. Sorry if I made it seem that way. More angry at the CM than anything.

As a parent of a kid with ASD, I know you know that one person's decision won't stop you from getting what your kid needs. Please don't let a single CM dictate your son's Disney destiny.

I know it's offputting and SO discouraging after all the years of Disney being there for our kids. I would give it another shot if you're willing to pursue it again with them. We're dreading our son not being offered DAS despite moderate ASD issues that required BIP, and won't let one interaction be the end of his Disney days.

 

[Jdavidm]

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.

This is my concern already if the CM’s truly do have a type of “flow chart” that guides them through approval/denial like I’ve seen mentioned on social media.

All it takes is someone learning the correct answers to those certain questions and sharing them.

I’m hoping that’s not at all how it’s handled because if it is, I imagine things will get out of hand again quickly.

 

[nalababybear]

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.

One can rather easily cheat the entry criteria for those who have enough desire to. That's always been the case for many disability accommodation process. Handicap placards, Emotional support, discounts to paid services....all ripe for abuse at the entry points. DAS is no different.

There are other ways to curb abuse; but we've gone that path earlier and mods don't want that discussion here.

 

[nalababybear]

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?

Only if it were that easy. DAS struggle is a cakewalk compared to the school IEP meetings.

 

[Jdavidm]

Only if it were that easy. DAS struggle is a cakewalk compared to the school IEP meetings.

My apologies on the misunderstanding and poor example there then. It was the first thing that came to mind when thinking of a comparison but I realize now it wasn’t accurate. My parents handled things on my behalf back then of course and I was undiagnosed for most of my school years so didn’t have the accommodations I needed.

I agree with what others have stated though, involving legal help for educational accommodations is much different than theme park accommodations. I imagine many families would consider it necessary when it comes to education matters. But when it comes to theme parks and when we think about the fact that DAS goes above ADA requirements…I don’t see a lawyer being reasonable unless someone does intend to take them to court over it.

 

[SueM in MN]

OK. ENOUGH about suggesting involving lawyers, doctors or paid advocates in DAS Video calls.

Those are now officially OFF TOPIC.

 

[Jdavidm]

Has anyone who has completed the DAS call since the change been able to have someone else (SO, Parent, Caregiver, etc.) advocate for an adult with a disability?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Typing while mods posted - edited in accordance with the latest post from Sue.

 

[SueM in MN]

Has anyone who has completed the DAS call since the change been able to have someone else (SO, Parent, Caregiver, etc.) advocate for an adult with a disability?

Yes.
I have read posts from people who had a SO, parent or friend/caregiver help them advocate.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Has anyone who has completed the DAS call since the change been able to have someone else (SO, Parent, Caregiver, etc.) advocate for an adult with a disability?

I mean, they're going to have to allow it for some. Nonspeaking or minimally speaking adults who do not have typing ability or functional use of a method of alternative/augmentative communication would essentially require someone else to lead the discussion.

 

[Jdavidm]

Yes.
I have read posts from people who had a SO, parent or friend/caregiver help them advocate.

Thank you for sharing! I’ve been trying to keep up everywhere but a lot of first hand experiences can get buried in discussions.

I mean, they're going to have to allow it for some. Nonspeaking or minimally speaking adults who do not have typing ability or functional use of a method of alternative/augmentative communication would essentially require someone else to lead the discussion.

I would assume so too! I struggle to communicate verbally with people who I’ve never spoken to before and over the phone is even worse. My partner handles all phone calls for me because of this.

I might be able to answer some questions, it all depends on the day and situation but I at least hope that if I struggle, they’ll let him step in to help.

I’ve never had issue with them letting him speak on my behalf with any theme park before but of course with new changes, I always worry.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Removed after seeing moderator post

 

[SueM in MN]

I mean, they're going to have to allow it for some. Nonspeaking or minimally speaking adults who do not have typing ability or functional use of a method of alternative/augmentative communication would essentially require someone else to lead the discussion.

Thank you for sharing! I’ve been trying to keep up everywhere but a lot of first hand experiences can get buried in discussions.

I would assume so too! I struggle to communicate verbally with people who I’ve never spoken to before and over the phone is even worse. My partner handles all phone calls for me because of this.

I might be able to answer some questions, it all depends on the day and situation but I at least hope that if I struggle, they’ll let him step in to help.

I’ve never had issue with them letting him speak on my behalf with any theme park before but of course with new changes, I always worry.

My daughter is a non-speaking adult. We have done video chats since they started doing them. I have always explained that she is non-speaking and I've spoken for her with no issue.
The last time we registered was mid-March, so before the new changes started (in fact, I was on vacation at WDW from April 14- May 2).
I have seen posts from people who registered for WDW after May 20 who said they spoke for a non-speaking adult the same as before.
The chat is not available in sign language, but I also saw a post from a deaf person who had her ASL translator signing the questions to her. She answered in ASL and the translator spoke her answers to the CM.

If this would be helpful to you, the WDW website has this information in the Live Video Chat section of this page.

• Guests using a mobile device or tablet will need to download the Zoom application to connect to the video chat.
• Video chat is screen reader-friendly for Guests with visual disabilities and available with text chat for Guests with hearing disabilities.

It's not in the Disneyland DAS information, but it had been added to the WDW a few weeks ago after the switch on May 20. I'm expecting it will probably be added to the Disneyland website also after June 18.
I'd suggest downloading the Zoom app to your smartphone or tablet ahead of time and playing with it to make calls to friends to get comfortable with how it works.
That's especially important if you use AAC (Alternative & Augmentative Communication). My daughter used Zoom sessions while things were closed during COVID. It wasn't hard, but took a little bit of a learning curve to get used to Zoom and have it work with her AAC

 

[Evita_W]

Back in 2013 when GAC changed to DAS, vision disabilities were explicitly stated as not qualifying, with those individuals instructed to speak to a CM at the attraction. Over the years that slipped and many were granted DAS. I'm sure it's not ideal, and if there are any queues that you believe to be particularly troublesome I urge you to speak with a CM at the attraction -- actually, speak to the CM at any attraction, but definitely mention specific problem spots.

Here's a question though, this wouldn't apply to this poster of course, but what about a blind person who is going to the park for the first time and their entire party's first time? They would have no way of knowing which queues would be problematic for them, even with assistance and which ones wouldn't. Many of us are considering these changes from our point of view, but we often forget to ask how would a first timer navigate this as well. And we probably should, because often our friends and family who are going for the first time will ask us for advice and we should know how to best answer, as I am sure we would all want them to have a good time.

 

[Evita_W]

That's likely a non-starter. I suspect the CM would terminate the call with notation of why. They want to speak to the individual, parent/guardian or maybe a close family member. A random Accessibility Team CM isn't authorized to speak on behalf of Disney with a guest's legal representative.

From what I have been told all Disney CMs are told to immediately cease all communications the second someone mentions lawyer or lawsuit, so you would be correct, they would disconnect the call immediately.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Here's a question though, this wouldn't apply to this poster of course, but what about a blind person who is going to the park for the first time and their entire party's first time? They would have no way of knowing which queues would be problematic for them, even with assistance and which ones wouldn't. Many of us are considering these changes from our point of view, but we often forget to ask how would a first timer navigate this as well. And we probably should, because often our friends and family who are going for the first time will ask us for advice and we should know how to best answer, as I am sure we would all want them to have a good time.

Why would you think learning to navigate in a theme park is any different from exploring any other new place? And are queues so materially different from any other part of Disney? Especially if you are going with (sighted) family members. This should be a familiar challenge to them.

I really don’t understand why a visual impairment would preclude someone from waiting in a line.

 

[Evita_W]

My daughter is a non-speaking adult. We have done video chats since they started doing them. I have always explained that she is non-speaking and I've spoken for her with no issue.
The last time we registered was mid-March, so before the new changes started (in fact, I was on vacation at WDW from April 14- May 2).
I have seen posts from people who registered for WDW after May 20 who said they spoke for a non-speaking adult the same as before.
The chat is not available in sign language, but I also saw a post from a deaf person who had her ASL translator signing the questions to her. She answered in ASL and the translator spoke her answers to the CM.

If this would be helpful to you, the WDW website has this information in the Live Video Chat section of this page.

• Guests using a mobile device or tablet will need to download the Zoom application to connect to the video chat.
• Video chat is screen reader-friendly for Guests with visual disabilities and available with text chat for Guests with hearing disabilities.

It's not in the Disneyland DAS information, but it had been added to the WDW a few weeks ago after the switch on May 20. I'm expecting it will probably be added to the Disneyland website also after June 18.
I'd suggest downloading the Zoom app to your smartphone or tablet ahead of time and playing with it to make calls to friends to get comfortable with how it works.
That's especially important if you use AAC (Alternative & Augmentative Communication). My daughter used Zoom sessions while things were closed during COVID. It wasn't hard, but took a little bit of a learning curve to get used to Zoom and have it work with her AAC

Which poses an interesting question, before these changes, you could get a DAS in the parks and Disney would be able to accommodate other languages as a result, but if the chat is only offered in English, how will those who don't speak English and/or need ASL that don't have their own interpreters and/or don't have access to things like AAC get assistance?

 

[lanejudy]

**note discussion moved here from the other thread**

Here's a question though, this wouldn't apply to this poster of course, but what about a blind person who is going to the park for the first time and their entire party's first time? They would have no way of knowing which queues would be problematic for them, even with assistance and which ones wouldn't. Many of us are considering these changes from our point of view, but we often forget to ask how would a first timer navigate this as well. And we probably should, because often our friends and family who are going for the first time will ask us for advice and we should know how to best answer, as I am sure we would all want them to have a good time.

Well, like any first-timer at the parks, we all pretty much did "live and learn." DAS isn't going to be granted just because someone doesn't know if a certain queue might be a problem. There is AQR if someone -- for any reason -- finds they need to leave the queue. As mentioned, it's obviously not perfect and if someone finds the situation to be completely unmanageable they have the ability to reconnect with the Accessibility Team to discuss the situation.

WDW also has a page dedicated to Blind and Low Vision with various accommodations available including braille and tactile maps (both portable and stationary), guidebooks and audio descriptions. It is a disability that I honestly give a lot of respect to those individuals who navigate life without being able to see. Maybe someone can share how they manage.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Which poses an interesting question, before these changes, you could get a DAS in the parks and Disney would be able to accommodate other languages as a result, but if the chat is only offered in English, how will those who don't speak English and/or need ASL that don't have their own interpreters and/or don't have access to things like AAC get assistance?

Respectfully, there are limits to how much should be expected of Disney vs what is reasonable to expect people to do on their own. Eg when I travel to a foreign country where I don’t speak the language, it’s on me, not everyone else, to adapt. Am I grateful when someone will respond in English to my horrendous attempts at that language? Absolutely. But I can’t expect every sign, every conversation, every map, etc to be in English just because that’s what I need.

Disney is giving people 30 days to find someone who can help or figure out an alternative solution that works for you (eg chat software that translates does exist), plus whoever happens to be with you in the park. That really should be enough.

 

[cat4hurricane]

Which poses an interesting question, before these changes, you could get a DAS in the parks and Disney would be able to accommodate other languages as a result, but if the chat is only offered in English, how will those who don't speak English and/or need ASL that don't have their own interpreters and/or don't have access to things like AAC get assistance?

I know for shows that there should be a section for those who need ASL interpreters, so I would assume just letting a CM know in that case. Unsure what they would do on rides. I know that some characters (Captain America in DCA, Tigger in WDW) know sign language as I’ve seen them sign in videos before. I’m sure Disney has some of their characters learn at least a little bit of ASL beforehand for easy communication, I can’t speak to other languages, but that’s what I’ve seen for ASL specifically.

Edit: Even if DAS isn’t granted for hearing loss, I’m sure that Guest Relations has appropriate accommodations they can offer for those who need communication assistance. I know also that some CMs (not all) know other languages, Spanish seems to be a pretty common secondary language for example, and those known languages are usually placed on or below their nametag if they know a secondary.