Do cognitive disabilities no longer qualify? I was approved 2x under new guidelines, but denied DAS today

[EpcotPhoenician]

I was approved twice under the new DAS guidelines. Today was my renewal, but my cognitive disability no longer qualifies. The coordinator Cast Member was unwilling to provide exactly what changed from my previous renewal, only that they are "always seeking improvements to their guidelines".

 

[lanejudy]

I do believe they have been “tweaking” their training and qualifying needs. And there does seem to be a matter of who conducts your interview; some may be more lenient which only makes it harder to be denied the next time. Did you say anything different in today’s interview? Explain anything differently? I don’t think “cognitive disability” necessarily qualifies without other queue-related challenges.

 

[SueM in MN]

No specific diagnosis or condition qualifies for DAS.
What the CMs are needing information/discussion about is what your concerns are with waiting in line and how your condition affects your ability to wait in line.
They may ask how you deal with waits or lines in others situations and what kinds of accommodations are needed or used outside of Disney ines.
It could be that the CM was looking for more specific information than you provided or that they misunderstood your challenges.
Also, as lanejudy pointed out, the CM you got last time might have been more lenient in what was being looked at

 

[Elephantay]

I've been reading a lot of these pages trying to determine if we should even bother with trying to get a DAS accommodation. Is the queue entry people are mentioning something that is part of this? And do I have it right that the person who cannot wait in the line would meet up with their party at a certain place in line? TIA

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

I do believe they have been “tweaking” their training and qualifying needs. And there does seem to be a matter of who conducts your interview; some may be more lenient which only makes it harder to be denied the next time. Did you say anything different in today’s interview? Explain anything differently? I don’t think “cognitive disability” necessarily qualifies without other queue-related challenges.

I explained my challenges exactly the same as the previous two successful renewals. They immediately denied me whereas I was previously approved without question.

 

[lanejudy]

@Elephantay The “Attraction Queue Re-entry” is available to anyone regardless of disability or not. The individual (+caregiver) who needs to leave the queue will meet up with the rest of their party via LL.

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

I've been reading a lot of these pages trying to determine if we should even bother with trying to get a DAS accommodation. Is the queue entry people are mentioning something that is part of this? And do I have it right that the person who cannot wait in the line would meet up with their party at a certain place in line? TIA

I explained to the coordinator and health professional that I go to the parks solo, so how do they expect me to re-enter the queue if there’s no party member to meet up with.

They told me it won’t be an issue and the cast member at the front of every attraction will walk me to where I previously was prior to needing to exit.

I strongly disagreed with them and asked if they’ve ever actually been to any of the Disney parks. Clearly they haven’t.

 

[lanejudy]

They told me it won’t be an issue and the cast member at the front of every attraction will walk me to where I previously was prior to needing to exit.

This may not be correct, but there IS a procedure for solo guests.

 

[Elephantay]

@Elephantay The “Attraction Queue Re-entry” is available to anyone regardless of disability or not. The individual (+caregiver) who needs to leave the queue will meet up with the rest of their party via LL.

So do they stilll walk through the LL? Is that how DAS would work also?

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

So do they stilll walk through the LL? Is that how DAS would work also?

Yes, that is the procedure.

 

[SueM in MN]

So do they stilll walk through the LL? Is that how DAS would work also?

This is a link to the WDW website page about accessing queues. It includes the info about attraction queue re- entry
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/accessing-attractions-queues/#aa-queue-reentry

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

This is a link to the WDW website page about accessing queues. It includes the info about attraction queue re- entry
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/accessing-attractions-queues/#aa-queue-reentry

Nowhere in that article does it state the re-entry procedure for solo Guests… so, I suppose my medical condition accommodations rely entirely on the Disney College Program CM at every attraction.

 

[SueM in MN]

Nowhere in that article does it state the re-entry procedure for solo Guests… so, I suppose my medical condition accommodations rely entirely on the Disney College Program CM at every attraction.

The exact process depends on the attraction and what is available there.
I have seen posts from solo guests who used it and reported it worked fine for them.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Nowhere in that article does it state the re-entry procedure for solo Guests… so, I suppose my medical condition accommodations rely entirely on the Disney College Program CM at every attraction.

I know you are disappointed but why are you belittling the CMs? By and large most Disney CMs that I have met have been friendly and helpful.

If you find that the accommodations that have been offered aren’t working you can call back and try to get DAS again with specific examples of what you tried THIS TRIP and why it failed.

 

[Holly]

Cognitive disabilities are still qualifying, however, it does seem that Disney is getting more strict with approvals. What I heard recently (and unofficially) from a cast member is that if a guest is capable of navigating the DAS registration process on their own, then that indicates that they are capable of comprehending what a queue is and managing that, as well. This seems to be in line with the new guidelines Disney is aiming for.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Cognitive disabilities are still qualifying, however, it does seem that Disney is getting more strict with approvals. What I heard recently (and unofficially) from a cast member is that if a guest is capable of navigating the DAS registration process on their own, then that indicates that they are capable of comprehending what a queue is and managing that, as well. This seems to be in line with the new guidelines Disney is aiming for.

I can imagine by the same token an adult who can visit the parks alone (thus can also deal with their own transportation needs and all of the logistics about being at Disney) is also going to face additional scrutiny if they claim to be so developmentally disabled as to require DAS (vs a different accommodation).

 

[Angel Ariel]

Cognitive disabilities are still qualifying, however, it does seem that Disney is getting more strict with approvals. What I heard recently (and unofficially) from a cast member is that if a guest is capable of navigating the DAS registration process on their own, then that indicates that they are capable of comprehending what a queue is and managing that, as well. This seems to be in line with the new guidelines Disney is aiming for.

If this is true, then wow. The ability to manage the various aspects of a queue (without going into detail as required here) is significantly different than doing an online 1:1 zoom meeting.

Doesn't impact us, as I do have to navigate the process for DD, but if this is the case then they should be updating their published guidelines accordingly.

 

[jennab]

If this is true, then wow. The ability to manage the various aspects of a queue (without going into detail as required here) is significantly different than doing an online 1:1 zoom meeting.

Doesn't impact us, as I do have to navigate the process for DD, but if this is the case then they should be updating their published guidelines accordingly.

The problem with that is once they update guidance, people who would normally apply on their own will all of a sudden have someone with them on the call for “support”. Sadly the denial reasons cannot be given as people will then try something else next time to qualify.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Nowhere in that article does it state the re-entry procedure for solo Guests… so, I suppose my medical condition accommodations rely entirely on the Disney College Program CM at every attraction.

I'm always fascinated when people who never had a problem with non-medically trained CMs handing out DAS like penny candy are now concerned about non-medically trained CMs providing accommodations at the actual rides.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The problem with that is once they update guidance, people who would normally apply on their own will all of a sudden have someone with them on the call for “support”. Sadly the denial reasons cannot be given as people will then try something else next time to qualify.

I mean, the post here is enough for people to do that. the rumors will make their way around, nothing will change that.