GAC... Proof now needed?!?!

[Lorilais_mommie]

We are headed down in a few days, and will be needing to pick up a GAC for my DD (6)
Do I need to stop by the pediatrician for a letter of proof??

I have read everything I can find about GAC and thought the answer was NO..

However I friend of mine went to WDW last week and was asked for proof of her sons autism..
It really shocked me b/c her son is one of those children that you can tell clearly has autism.. And she never had a problem in the past..
But she didn't want me to be caught off guard..

Has something changed in the last few months?
I'm not sure if I will have time to run over to the doctors office to get the letter... But could get an email..

 

[mamaode]

Waiting to see replies. We leave Thursday.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We are not permitted, under the ADA, to ask for proof of any disability.

 

[jdb in AZ]

o.k. So if an over-reaching CM asks for proof of the disability, what's the proper procedure, ask for a manager?

 

[SueM in MN]

o.k. So if an over-reaching CM asks for proof of the disability, what's the proper procedure, ask for a manager?

Yes.

If it will make you feel better to have a letter, go ahead. But, they are not allowed to require one, as Cheshire Figment mentioned.

The information in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is still complete and accurate as much as possible. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

I have heard people misunderstanding the questions of CMs. The guest needs to explain what issues they (or their child) has related to their disability. I have heard of people thinking these questions means the CM doesn't believe them or is requiring proof.
All the CM was trying to get was information about hat kind of assistance the guest needed.

 

[cmwade77]

o.k. So if an over-reaching CM asks for proof of the disability, what's the proper procedure, ask for a manager?

Based on my experience with issues (they do arise, even at Disney), I would immediately ask for a lead. If you are told that none are available or the lead does not provide you with what you need, then ask for a manager, if you are told none are available, ask specifically for the area manager.

If you skip directly to asking for a manager, you will most likely not get the results you are after, usually just speaking with the lead will work, but if you have shown that you are willing to go through the proper channels and that they aren't working, then you need to go up the chain.

Additionally, I would have the law handy that states that they can't ask for proof. I am sure someone on here can provide a link. I recommend putting it into an Evernote account and pulling it up on your phone, if need be.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

This is what I thought...
I thought maybe it was a new CM. or something like that..

I have also read that They wouldn't even look at a doctors note .. And instead just ask the parent about the needs..
Which is why I wasn't going to get a note but
My DD doctor was nice enough to send an e-mail to me this morning.. So if I really needed it, I'd have it..

 

[Kellykins1218]

Based on my experience with issues (they do arise, even at Disney), I would immediately ask for a lead. If you are told that none are available or the lead does not provide you with what you need, then ask for a manager, if you are told none are available, ask specifically for the area manager.

If you skip directly to asking for a manager, you will most likely not get the results you are after, usually just speaking with the lead will work, but if you have shown that you are willing to go through the proper channels and that they aren't working, then you need to go up the chain.

Asking for a manager is not skipping the proper channels. What the heck is a lead and how would anyone know to ask for one? Most people would automatically ask for a manger & then it would be up to the CM to get the next person in charge.

We were just at DW last month and we were not asked for proof of anything & neither was anyone before us. Actually, we had one of the best experiences ever at Guest Services. They were exceptionally friendly and helpful.

 

[BarbO]

I have MS and although I have never had anyone ask me for proof, I do always bring a medical record that confirms my disease just in case. However I have been asked what physical limitations I have, which I assume they ask in case they need to provide for any specific needs.

 

[SueM in MN]

Asking for a manager is not skipping the proper channels. What the heck is a lead and how would anyone know to ask for one? Most people would automatically ask for a manger & then it would be up to the CM to get the next person in charge.

We were just at DW last month and we were not asked for proof of anything & neither was anyone before us. Actually, we had one of the best experiences ever at Guest Services. They were exceptionally friendly and helpful.

They would know what the lead is, but most guests would not know.
Generally if you ask for a manager, you will get someone higher up than the person you are talking to. That is what you want. In most cases though, what I have seen is misunderstanding. As I mentioned, a lot of people assume that being asked about their needs means the CM is asking for proof.

But, most of the time, they are asking for clarification. People with the same diagnosis don't have the same needs and what they are trying to find out is the needs.

 

[bocaj1431]

Based on my experience with issues (they do arise, even at Disney), I would immediately ask for a lead. If you are told that none are available or the lead does not provide you with what you need, then ask for a manager, if you are told none are available, ask specifically for the area manager.

If you skip directly to asking for a manager, you will most likely not get the results you are after, usually just speaking with the lead will work, but if you have shown that you are willing to go through the proper channels and that they aren't working, then you need to go up the chain.

Additionally, I would have the law handy that states that they can't ask for proof. I am sure someone on here can provide a link. I recommend putting it into an Evernote account and pulling it up on your phone, if need be.

I completely understand the above advice however it seems like a great deal of time and effort. I always have my son's doctors letter and personally would just provide it instead of wasting time.

I have a son with autism and I wish it was required to have a doctor's letter. It would cut down on those attempting to abuse the system. Of course there would be those, who still would attempt to cheat the system;but, it would make it much more difficult for them to do so.

Of course the advice from the poster above is probably the correct way to handle the situation.

 

[mamaode]

Well I agree with all of the above. It's possible that the op friend interpreted the question about accommodations as a question to provide proof, it's also possible the cm helping the op friend was not trained properly and actually asked for proof. Makes no difference to me as I always have a dr letter with me describing my sons accommodations relating to his autism diagnosis. However it is now almost three years old and if asked I did not want to be given a hard time because it's three years old. "we" know autism does not go away but a cm may not. Sigh. I just wish they one: would ask for proof, I think all legitimate requesters of GACs wouldn't mind. At least I wouldn't and two: have consistency between cm's and parks.

 

[SteveMouse]

I completely understand the above advice however it seems like a great deal of time and effort. I always have my son's doctors letter and personally would just provide it instead of wasting time.

I have a son with autism and I wish it was required to have a doctor's letter. It would cut down on those attempting to abuse the system. Of course there would be those, who still would attempt to cheat the system;but, it would make it much more difficult for them to do so.

Of course the advice from the poster above is probably the correct way to handle the situation.

Simply stating what diagnosis an individual may have does not necessarily describe their needs in general or on a given day.

I am aware of numerous medical conditions that have significantly different impacts on different people at different times.

In fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, joints may become immobilized when there is muscle damage. And a good hard bump can set off a flare up. Some people with fop have no or limited in their upper body; others in their lower extremities first. Some have frozen jaws.

Just saying one has FOP doesn't tell the whole story, and the whole story could be pages long, especially if one had to educate a CM on the condition. It's easier to say something along the lines of "I need a less crowded waiting area."

 

[bocaj1431]

Simply stating what diagnosis an individual may have does not necessarily describe their needs in general or on a given day.

I am aware of numerous medical conditions that have significantly different impacts on different people at different times.

In fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, joints may become immobilized when there is muscle damage. And a good hard bump can set off a flare up. Some people with fop have no or limited in their upper body; others in their lower extremities first. Some have frozen jaws.

Just saying one has FOP doesn't tell the whole story, and the whole story could be pages long, especially if one had to educate a CM on the condition. It's easier to say something along the lines of "I need a less crowded waiting area."

Not sure how this relates to my quote. I was not discussing what specifically would be helpful to an individual with special needs trying to obtain a GAC. I was just responding to a CM requiring a doctor's note.

I completely agree with your comment about the CM needing information on what an individuals specific needs are. It does explain within sticky #6 under disabilities, that in order to get the most out of using a GAC card,
it is necessary to explain ones own specific needs to the CM at guest services. Because Doctor letters are not even looked at, it would follow that one would have to verbally explain the needs he or she has due to their "disability."

In my original quote, I made a point of saying I wished Dr's letters were required in order to obtain a GAC. I am not sure if that is what you were responding to? One would still need to explain his or her individual needs to the CM. Although in some cases, those difficulties may already be documented in the doctor's letter. In the letter I currently have from my son's doctor, it already lists what his difficulties are. The letter only lists those difficulties which would be affected by going to an amusement park.

Of course, there still is the fact that the GAC does not entitle anyone to a particular accommodation; rather, based on one's needs, Disney may be able to provide some assistance. In addition to your specific needs, one also needs to factor in, that the assistance may be different based on the ride, time of day, and year.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I always bring a note from my sons doctor just in case. I hand it to them when stepping up to the window. Most of the time they dont even look, just ask what I need. This time he actually took it and read the entire thing. I actually would rather that because the doctor writes his limitations and what we need on it, so I dont have to stand there with a line behind me explaining it. I have had CMs in the past tell me they don't need it and slide it back.

 

[SteveMouse]

Not sure how this relates to my quote. I was not discussing what specifically would be helpful to an individual with special needs trying to obtain a GAC. I was just responding to a CM requiring a doctor's note.

I completely agree with your comment about the CM needing information on what an individuals specific needs are. It does explain within sticky #6 under disabilities, that in order to get the most out of using a GAC card,
it is necessary to explain ones own specific needs to the CM at guest services. Because Doctor letters are not even looked at, it would follow that one would have to verbally explain the needs he or she has due to their "disability."

In my original quote, I made a point of saying I wished Dr's letters were required in order to obtain a GAC. I am not sure if that is what you were responding to? One would still need to explain his or her individual needs to the CM. Although in some cases, those difficulties may already be documented in the doctor's letter. In the letter I currently have from my son's doctor, it already lists what his difficulties are. The letter only lists those difficulties which would be affected by going to an amusement park.

Of course, there still is the fact that the GAC does not entitle anyone to a particular accommodation; rather, based on one's needs, Disney may be able to provide some assistance. In addition to your specific needs, one also needs to factor in, that the assistance may be different based on the ride, time of day, and year.

My point was that in some cases a letter could go on for quite some time, especially if one needed to justify the request. In the case of FOP, just saying one had the condition doesn't say anything (and with that condition the needs could easily change on a day-by-day basis).

 

[bocaj1431]

My point was that in some cases a letter could go on for quite some time, especially if one needed to justify the request. In the case of FOP, just saying one had the condition doesn't say anything (and with that condition the needs could easily change on a day-by-day basis).

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I never said anything about telling a CM you have a disability, and that would result in Getting a GAC. Also, a letter would not be any longer than explaining in words what your limitations are. It actually probably would take less time.

If you are getting a letter from a doctor specifically for a trip to Disney, a doctor would only list those challenges you have, which may present problems while at Disney. I am sure the doctor would not list every detail of your medical or psychological condition.

All of this does not matter anyways because they do not require a letter! Wish they would though.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Sometimes I feel like this has turned into the proof and qualifier board

 

[KPeveler]

Asking for a manager is not skipping the proper channels. What the heck is a lead and how would anyone know to ask for one? Most people would automatically ask for a manger & then it would be up to the CM to get the next person in charge.

We were just at DW last month and we were not asked for proof of anything & neither was anyone before us. Actually, we had one of the best experiences ever at Guest Services. They were exceptionally friendly and helpful.

At Disney, the immediate supervisor of a section is called a "Lead." A "Manager" is actally a step above that. So, yes, you should ask for a Lead first, as there will always be one on duty in the immediate area. A Manager oversees a much larger area and may not be able to get to you in a timely manner.

This is why the other poster told you to ask for a lead. And you would know how to ask for one through educational forums like this.

 

[cmwade77]

At Disney, the immediate supervisor of a section is called a "Lead." A "Manager" is actally a step above that. So, yes, you should ask for a Lead first, as there will always be one on duty in the immediate area. A Manager oversees a much larger area and may not be able to get to you in a timely manner.

This is why the other poster told you to ask for a lead. And you would know how to ask for one through educational forums like this.

Yes, and when in doubt, the other option is to just ask for the person's supervisor (wherever you might be, Disney or not)