Do I need a GAC with wheelchair/stroller?

[RACHELSMOM1]

My daughter has her new Convaid wheelchair/stroller. Does anyone know whether we still need a GAC? We had a GAC before, but we had our regular stroller, and used it as a wheelchair during our March stay. Rachel's new chair looks like a wheelchair to me, but some people may not think so. I just wondered if I still need the GAC with this. The Convaid chair is more compact than a full sized wheelchair, but is a wheelchair nonetheless. It also has the tie downs for the busses. Does anyone have experience with this? Rachel loves WDW!!!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

My daughter has her new Convaid wheelchair/stroller. Does anyone know whether we still need a GAC? We had a GAC before, but we had our regular stroller, and used it as a wheelchair during our March stay. Rachel's new chair looks like a wheelchair to me, but some people may not think so. I just wondered if I still need the GAC with this. The Convaid chair is more compact than a full sized wheelchair, but is a wheelchair nonetheless. It also has the tie downs for the busses. Does anyone have experience with this? Rachel loves WDW!!!

Which one is it? I Googled Convaid and found their EZ Rider and Lite Rider, which look a LOT like regular strollers to me. Then, there's the Convertible which looks a lot like our DSs Quickie/Zippie.

With one like the Convertible, I wouldn't worry at all. But, if you have any concerns, it's probably safer to get a GAC.

Using the tie-downs in the buses just adds a couple of minutes to every ride. You'll need to wait in the W/Chair area so the drivers know to let you on first; otherwise the bus will fill up, and you could be left standing on the curb.

Normally, strollers have to be folded to be brought on a bus, so a driver might just think you were going to wait until the "last minute" to fold it up and not realize that your child will be staying in it.

It's hit-or-miss as far as being allowed to secure the chair. Most of the drivers have let me do it, as I get it done about 10x faster -- I know DSs chair; right where the transport hooks are, etc -- but, some are sticklers and demand to do it themselves. I either offer to do it or just get started; but I don't argue if they say, "No."

One thing to be careful of ... many of the bus drivers DON'T know where the safe-to-secure places on a chair are and if you aren't watching they sometimes attach the tie-downs to things like the footrests or wheels!

 

[SueM in MN]

How old is your DD?
Preschool age kids in the Convaid type chairs seem to have more problem with CMs confusing it with a regualr stroller. I was amazed on our last trip just how BIG some of the strollers are. Many were bulkier than my DD's wheelchair and she is 5 feet tall!

If your DD is older, you should be OK. If you want to be absolutely sure, you could still get a GAC or a tag, whatever is the "stroller as a wheelchair" now, but I think an older child in a larger special needs chair should be recognized by most CMs without a problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

It's hit-or-miss as far as being allowed to secure the chair. Most of the drivers have let me do it as I get it done about 10x faster -- I know DSs chair, right where the transport hooks are, etc -- but, some are sticklers and demand to do it themselves.

Legally, the driver is responsible, so most in our experience want to do it themselves. Also, not all the buses have exactly the same tiedowns so sometimes the one in the bus is one we have not had much experience with.

What we have done in the past to make the process faster is mark the safe connection places with bright colored tape. It's much easier to say "look for the hot pink tape" than trying to explain to each one where to attach.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Which one is it ... I Googled Convaid and found their EZ Rider and Lite Rider which look a LOT like regular strollers to me. Then, there's the Convertible which looks a lot like our DSs Quickie/Zippie.

With one like the Convertible I wouldn't worry at all. But, if you have any concerns, it's probably safer to get a GAC.

Using the tie-downs in the buses just adds a couple of minutes to every ride. You'll need to wait in the W/Chair area so the drivers know to let you on first otherwise the bus will fill up and you'll be left standing on the curb.

It's hit-or-miss as far as being allowed to secure the chair. Most of the drivers have let me do it as I get it done about 10x faster -- I know DSs chair, right where the transport hooks are, etc -- but, some are sticklers and demand to do it themselves.

It is a Convaid Cruiser, but it has the larger wheels (I was very pleased since these wheels look so much better than the pictured ones). The back wheels are 12 inches and the front wheels are 6 or 8 inches. I assume that this will be standard for these chairs, since so many people complained about the tiny wheels they were using. Rachel's therapist recommended the convaid cruiser, and she helped us with ordering - she was also pleasantly surprised with the new type of wheels. I love the stroller, it is heavy to lift out of the van, but once it is open and my daughter is in it, it is so easy.

I will get the GAC just to be sure, and I appreciate your input. The transport hooks are bright red and the chair fabric is purple , so the hooks really show up. On the back of the seat is the Convaid label, and states it is a wheelchair, but I know what you mean about some people not recognizing it as a wheelchair. Too bad, since my baby should not have to prove she is disabled just because she has a pretty wheelchair that looks like a stroller. You can just look at her face and her body and tell she has a disability. Some of the regular jogging strollers could easily be mistaken for wheelchair/strollers, so I guess I know where folks are coming from.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Which one is it? I Googled Convaid and found their EZ Rider and Lite Rider, which look a LOT like regular strollers to me. Then, there's the Convertible which looks a lot like our DSs Quickie/Zippie.

With one like the Convertible, I wouldn't worry at all. But, if you have any concerns, it's probably safer to get a GAC.

Using the tie-downs in the buses just adds a couple of minutes to every ride. You'll need to wait in the W/Chair area so the drivers know to let you on first; otherwise the bus will fill up, and you could be left standing on the curb.

Normally, strollers have to be folded to be brought on a bus, so a driver might just think you were going to wait until the "last minute" to fold it up and not realize that your child will be staying in it.

It's hit-or-miss as far as being allowed to secure the chair. Most of the drivers have let me do it, as I get it done about 10x faster -- I know DSs chair; right where the transport hooks are, etc -- but, some are sticklers and demand to do it themselves. I either offer to do it or just get started; but I don't argue if they say, "No."

One thing to be careful of ... many of the bus drivers DON'T know where the safe-to-secure places on a chair are and if you aren't watching they sometimes attach the tie-downs to things like the footrests or wheels!

Here is a link, just imagine the big wheels instead.
http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=14394&productid=81577&trail=22,14341

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Here is a link, just imagine the big wheels instead.
http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=14394&productid=81577&trail=22,14341

Based on that picture alone, I'd get the GAC. If it diffuses one "disagreement" with a CM about where you're allowed to go with it, it's worth the ten minutes you'll spend at Guest Services. You don't have to do anything, there, to *prove* that your DD needs the GAC ... just ask for it.

Legally, the driver is responsible, so most in our experience want to do it themselves. Also, not all the buses have exactly the same tiedowns so sometimes the one in the bus is one we have not had much experience with.

What we have done in the past to make the process faster is mark the safe connection places with bright colored tape. It's much easier to say "look for the hot pink tape" than trying to explain to each one where to attach.

Yeah, I realize the driver is responsible; however, it can be very frustrating dealing with a driver who doesn't want your help, but whom you have to keep telling, "No, that's not safe, there, use the transport hooks. No, not that. The hook ... there ... no, THERE!!!" Then, there's the ones on the back which are even harder to get to.

That's why I usually just ask, "Do you mind if I hook him up and you just check it when you get the lift stowed away?" Most times, I'm done fastening DS's chair in before they've even got the ramp converted back to stairs....

I like the hot-pink tape idea, though -- maybe I can get some in "DIS lime green"!

 

[SueM in MN]

Based on that picture alone, I'd get the GAC. If it diffuses one "disagreement" with a CM about where you're allowed to go with it, it's worth the ten minutes you'll spend at Guest Services. You don't have to do anything, there, to *prove* that your DD needs the GAC ... just ask for it.



Yeah, I realize the driver is responsible; however, it can be very frustrating dealing with a driver who doesn't want your help, but whom you have to keep telling, "No, that's not safe, there, use the transport hooks. No, not that. The hook ... there ... no, THERE!!!" Then, there's the ones on the back which are even harder to get to.

That's why I usually just ask, "Do you mind if I hook him up and you just check it when you get the lift stowed away?" Most times, I'm done fastening DS's chair in before they've even got the ramp converted back to stairs....

I like the hot-pink tape idea, though -- maybe I can get some in "DIS lime green"!

We had some thin plastic tape, but I have seen lime green duct tape. It may be too wide, but you could cut it.
The tape solved a LOT of the "no, not there". We just say, "look for the pink tape like this" and point to the pink tape on her front riggings. Makes it real easy.
We also usually remove her backpack, at least temporarily - that was not 'popular' with DD, but does make the tiedown easier.