Going to Disney with a disabled family member

[diswackadoodle1969]

I have been going to Disney World since it opened in 1971 when I was a newlywed. Recently, Disney has planned to discontinue the access cards given to families that had a disabled family member, because of abuses of
that privelege by unscrupulous people renting themselves out as "tote along disabled family member".I do believe a better system can be made; after all, Disney came up with the fast passes, and extra magic hours at night. I suggest having a permanent "Disney disabled access" card that is gotten through a family doctor, using the same process you use to get the blue and white parking sign with symbolic wheelchair, used to access the disabled parking spots in front of almost every commercial establishment in the country.I don't have a disabled child myself, but I have a close friend who does. I am a college professor, and I have some physically disabled and also some autistic students in my studio art classes that I accommodate; it is no big deal to accommodate their special needs.Not accommodating children, or people, with special needs I do believe falls under a form of discrimination.Just because some people with no moral character have felt entitled enough to promulgate the scamming of a very generous program, now Disney feels compelled to discontinue it. I say just make it tougher to get a card- get it through the doctor who treats the child, and have a card for every family member who lives in the house or helps with the personal care of the disabled person.Maybe people getting the Disney cards should also have to have one of those government issued blue parking signs? What says the Disboard community about this very important issue? My girlfriend has a son with serious ADD; going to Disney with them will not be an option if the program is discontinued. I have a cousin with a child who has mongolism; that poor child will not be able to understand why she cannot go see Minnie Mouse any more.What to do?

 

[Spoot]

I suggest you read these two threads...

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3178976

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3179460

The program is not being removed, it is being modified.

 

[SueM in MN]

I suggest you read these two threads...

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3178976

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3179460

The program is not being removed, it is being modified.

And, although the abuse has been in the news recently, Disney has been looking at the problems with use of the Guest Assistance Cards for a long time.

The population is aging and there are more people going to Disney parks with disabilities all the time. They simply could not continue to accommodate them all under the way the Guest Assistance Card was working.
This article explains it very well.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3695/
And this picture shows what can happen when a line gets overloaded with guests with special needs.

This is the handicapped line for Small World. Most lines handle guests with mobility devices thru the regular line, but some, like Small World, have a handicapped entrance because the regular line is not accessible.
All the people you can see in the photo are in the handicapped line and their wait will probably is about one hour. The actual entrance of the handicapped line is in in front of the man and woman wearing orange shirts. To their right, you can see someone trying to get out - just behind her is the main ride exit.
The 'regular' entrance is the the left of the picture, where you can see some signs.
This is a picture from the front of the ride at the same time.

You can see the 25 minute wait posted and see how widely spaced people are in the regular line.
This is one of the things that Disney is trying to correct with the new program.

 

[Spoot]

And, although the abuse has been in the new recently, Disney has been looking at the problems with use of the Guest Assistance Cards for a long time.

The population is aging and there are more people going to Disney parks with disabilities all the time. They simply could not continue to accommodate them all under the way the Guest Assistance Card was working.
This article explains it very well.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3695/

Absolutely true. Sorry, I was just lazy and thought that linking to the threads were you discussed that fact was easier/better than trying to start the discussion again in a new thread.

 

[SueM in MN]

Absolutely true. Sorry, I was just lazy and thought that linking to the threads were you discussed that fact was easier/better than trying to start the discussion again in a new thread.

I'm glad you linked to those threads.
That's where the discussion about how it will work is happening.

 

[Gorechick]

I'm sure there will be more folks posting about these changes here on the boards as MSN just put a story about it on their homepage.

 

[jennsmail]

Mongolism? What a terrible term to use.

 

[SueM in MN]

Mongolism? What a terrible term to use.

It was so hard to read with no paragraphs I missed that.
That term has not been acceptable for about 40 years.

 

[Gracie09]

I have been going to Disney World since it opened in 1971 when I was a newlywed. Recently, Disney has planned to discontinue the access cards given to families that had a disabled family member, because of abuses of
that privelege by unscrupulous people renting themselves out as "tote along disabled family member".I do believe a better system can be made; after all, Disney came up with the fast passes, and extra magic hours at night. I suggest having a permanent "Disney disabled access" card that is gotten through a family doctor, using the same process you use to get the blue and white parking sign with symbolic wheelchair, used to access the disabled parking spots in front of almost every commercial establishment in the country.I don't have a disabled child myself, but I have a close friend who does. I am a college professor, and I have some physically disabled and also some autistic students in my studio art classes that I accommodate; it is no big deal to accommodate their special needs.Not accommodating children, or people, with special needs I do believe falls under a form of discrimination.Just because some people with no moral character have felt entitled enough to promulgate the scamming of a very generous program, now Disney feels compelled to discontinue it. I say just make it tougher to get a card- get it through the doctor who treats the child, and have a card for every family member who lives in the house or helps with the personal care of the disabled person.Maybe people getting the Disney cards should also have to have one of those government issued blue parking signs? What says the Disboard community about this very important issue? My girlfriend has a son with serious ADD; going to Disney with them will not be an option if the program is discontinued. I have a cousin with a child who has mongolism; that poor child will not be able to understand why she cannot go see Minnie Mouse any more.What to do?

Just off the top of my head
The ada does not permit companies to require proof of a disability
I could fake a doctors note complete with letterhead in under 20 minute
Most doctors have never been to Disney and have no clue what it's like or what a reasonable accommodation would be
Te medical profession is becoming increasingly a customer service industry so doctors may feel pressure to provide a letter even if the child doesn't really need. I could convince my kids doctor to give me a letter even though my dd's disability really doesn't rise to the level of needing it.

As for how tour with a child with add use a touringbplab, use fp and fp+ use das. It'just takes a little planning .

 

[Schmeck]

I have been going to Disney World since it opened in 1971 when I was a newlywed. Recently, Disney has planned to discontinue the access cards given to families that had a disabled family member, because of abuses of
that privelege by unscrupulous people renting themselves out as "tote along disabled family member".I do believe a better system can be made; after all, Disney came up with the fast passes, and extra magic hours at night. I suggest having a permanent "Disney disabled access" card that is gotten through a family doctor, using the same process you use to get the blue and white parking sign with symbolic wheelchair, used to access the disabled parking spots in front of almost every commercial establishment in the country.I don't have a disabled child myself, but I have a close friend who does. I am a college professor, and I have some physically disabled and also some autistic students in my studio art classes that I accommodate; it is no big deal to accommodate their special needs.Not accommodating children, or people, with special needs I do believe falls under a form of discrimination.Just because some people with no moral character have felt entitled enough to promulgate the scamming of a very generous program, now Disney feels compelled to discontinue it. I say just make it tougher to get a card- get it through the doctor who treats the child, and have a card for every family member who lives in the house or helps with the personal care of the disabled person.Maybe people getting the Disney cards should also have to have one of those government issued blue parking signs? What says the Disboard community about this very important issue? My girlfriend has a son with serious ADD; going to Disney with them will not be an option if the program is discontinued. I have a cousin with a child who has mongolism; that poor child will not be able to understand why she cannot go see Minnie Mouse any more.What to do?

I couldn't get through the entire enormous paragraph, but I think I get the gist. WDW is streamlining their accessibility, no one is going to be denied access. There will just be a more equal access - no unlimited fastpass-like access.

The child with Down's syndrome (the more appropriate name for the condition - it is not kind to compare one's look due to a disability to a race, is it?) will still get to see Minnie. Actually, Minnie has her own M&G at HS now, doesn't she? It will probably have FP+, I'm guessing?

There is a difference between giving the opportunity for access and giving unlimited ability of special access, and that is what Disney is tweaking.

 

[BabiesDaddy]

I have been going to Disney World since it opened in 1971 when I was a newlywed. Recently, Disney has planned to discontinue the access cards given to families that had a disabled family member, because of abuses of
that privelege by unscrupulous people renting themselves out as "tote along disabled family member".I do believe a better system can be made; after all, Disney came up with the fast passes, and extra magic hours at night. I suggest having a permanent "Disney disabled access" card that is gotten through a family doctor, using the same process you use to get the blue and white parking sign with symbolic wheelchair, used to access the disabled parking spots in front of almost every commercial establishment in the country.I don't have a disabled child myself, but I have a close friend who does. I am a college professor, and I have some physically disabled and also some autistic students in my studio art classes that I accommodate; it is no big deal to accommodate their special needs.Not accommodating children, or people, with special needs I do believe falls under a form of discrimination.Just because some people with no moral character have felt entitled enough to promulgate the scamming of a very generous program, now Disney feels compelled to discontinue it. I say just make it tougher to get a card- get it through the doctor who treats the child, and have a card for every family member who lives in the house or helps with the personal care of the disabled person.Maybe people getting the Disney cards should also have to have one of those government issued blue parking signs? What says the Disboard community about this very important issue? My girlfriend has a son with serious ADD; going to Disney with them will not be an option if the program is discontinued. I have a cousin with a child who has mongolism; that poor child will not be able to understand why she cannot go see Minnie Mouse any more.What to do?

If the time of year isn't a factor, this time of year is perfect for a visit. I just came back today and most rides had less than a 10 minute wait if they had wait at all. I saw adults and children riding the rides with disabilities and I think it was easier for them as well with the smaller crowds.