Doctor's Note

[Cheshire Figment]

In another thread, Martin1 asked

I think if the ADA allowed for people to have a doctors note to prove their disability wouldn't it stop the abuse of the system? im not saying it happens all the time but it would be so easy for a parent to go to guest services and say i need help etc etc and they get that assistance when in fact they don't have any disability at all.

I think there are good reasons why ADA does not require "proof" of a disability.

First, a doctor will tend to state a diagnoses rather than needs. Depending on the severity and details of a diagnoses, the needs may be very different.

Next, I have seen people bring a doctor's note which say something as "Please render all possible assistance" which is what Disney does anyway, or it may ask for bypassing of lines which is not done unless in exceptional cases (such as MAW/GKTW families) as the ADA calls for equal, not superior, access.

And, even if you have a note on the letterhead (or prescription pad) of Dr William Smith of Podunk Iowa I have no way to tell if (a) that is Dr Smith's signature, (b) if Dr Smith is actually a licensed medical practitioner, (c) if Dr Smith actually exists, or (d) if Podunk Iowa actually exists.

It is unfortunate but if people are planning to cheat others (and the system) they will come with a "doctor's note" if one is required.

 

[KPeveler]

In another thread, Martin1 asked
I think there are good reasons why ADA does not require "proof" of a disability.

First, a doctor will tend to state a diagnoses rather than needs. Depending on the severity and details of a diagnoses, the needs may be very different.

Next, I have seen people bring a doctor's note which say something as "Please render all possible assistance" which is what Disney does anyway, or it may ask for bypassing of lines which is not done unless in exceptional cases (such as MAW/GKTW families) as the ADA calls for equal, not superior, access.

And, even if you have a note on the letterhead (or prescription pad) of Dr William Smith of Podunk Iowa I have no way to tell if (a) that is Dr Smith's signature, (b) if Dr Smith is actually a licensed medical practitioner, (c) if Dr Smith actually exists, or (d) if Podunk Iowa actually exists.

It is unfortunate but if people are planning to cheat others (and the system) they will come with a "doctor's note" if one is required.

Very good points CF!

Also, a lot of people (not referring to anyone here, just a general statement) forget that we are disabled when we get home too. The laws were written for a much larger and more diverse world than just WDW. If Disney could require proof of my disability to access the parks, who else could? Would I have to provide proof before being able to use a lift on a bus with my wheelchair? Would I need to provide a doctor's note for a restaurant to let me in a different entrance if the front door has steps?

There is a reason we do not have to prove our disability. It is for privacy and safety reasons. Also, people's conditions often manifest in different ways. One of my friends with the same condition I have requires special insoles in his shoes to walk comfortably. I require a powerchair with several power functions to get out of my house.

CMs at Disney (and bus drivers and restaurant waitresses) are very well trained for their jobs, but they are not doctors.

The current system IS open to abuse, but I think it is the best system that we have at this point.

 

[martin1]

i wasnt trying to be rude just trying to understand thats all

 

[KPeveler]

i wasnt trying to be rude just trying to understand thats all

I did not think , you were being rude - It's just a question that comes up a lot, and it is good to have a chance to answer it without the answer getting lost in another thread

 

[kaytieeldr]

And, even if you have a note on the letterhead (or prescription pad) of Dr William Smith of Podunk Iowa I have no way to tell if (a) that is Dr Smith's signature, (b) if Dr Smith is actually a licensed medical practitioner, (c) if Dr Smith actually exists, or (d) if Podunk Iowa actually exists.

(e)Or if the doctor and the location exist, and the signature is valid, WDW has no way of knowing whether the physician is willing, based the patient and general knowledge of Walt Disney World, to write a note/letter/'prescription' stating "Kaytieeldr needs immediate access to all attractions". Yes, I had a physician offer me that .

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also, people's conditions often manifest in different ways.

True. Sue wrote recently about her daughter having cerebral palsy, but how providing a CM with the diagnosis is pointless because two people with the same diagnosis or condition may have different degrees of the condition and so different needs. I know someone with two children with CP; even the two of them aren't affected the same way, don't have the same needs, don't get around the same way...

 

[Eeyore5]

That is so true. I have CP too and can walk fairly well. To an untrained eye, I look like a klutz. OTs and PTs tend to pick up right away that there is something wrong with my gait. I've worked with students who have no head control. The range how you are impacted in most (all?) disabilities is huge.

 

[bookwormde]

ADA has never required a diagnosis only an impact on a major life fuction, so while a few people may "work the system" going down the documentation road is a slippery slope, and as others have said a diganosis does not do a good job of defining need.

bookwormde

 

[SueM in MN]

This was what I wrote about cerebral palsy (with a little added):

EACH child/person with a disability is different and what works well for one may NOT work at all for another. What one person needs for accommodation is not necessarily the same as someone else with the same diagnosis.

To take a purely physical situation, my youngest DD has cerebral palsy. Some people with cerebral palsy have only a bit of muscle weakness, are uncoordinated or walk with a limp.
Others have so much muscle involvement that they are not able to stand or walk and need a wheelchair to get around.
Some are able to propel their own manual wheelchair, some can drive a power wheelchair with their hands and some don’t have enough control of their hands and use their head to control the power wheelchair.
Some do not have the ability to move a wheelchair at all and need to be pushed.

NO ONE would be foolish enough to say that all people with cerebral palsy need to walk in line, just because some can. It would clearly NOT be possible for my DD to walk in line because she is not physically capable of even standing.

The same applies to other disabilities.
Just because one person with that diagnosis can do something doesn’t mean others can.
Just because one person needs no accommodations (or the family choses to not use any) does not mean others will be the same.

 

[KPeveler]

Also, there are a lot of people who are undiagnosed, and remain that way for years. I have a congenital condition (meaning it was present at birth) and it took until I was 23 to get a diagnosis. Along the way I had more doctors tell me I was making it up than believed me. (turns out it is very rare, so not totally unreasonable they would not know of it). I would have had no hope of getting a doctors note.

And then there is the group I am in now - the multiple diagnoses! I currently have about 4 or 5 different diagnoses, each with their own needs. I require a particular GAC to help me with Soarin because of one of these diagnoses, and I require help with the queue of Test Track for another diagnosis. The same stamp helps with both these needs.

It would get SO confusing to require a doctor's note these days for someone like me!