Handicapped viewing for the parade problem

[Talking Hands]

I do not like the wrist band idea. That is what GACs are for. I don't want to be labelled with a wrist band. My grandbaby will not wear a wrist band. Autistic with sensory issues.
Fortunately MK is the only parade area that is an issue. At AK and MGM there are separate areas for those who need the interpreting and we work around my wheelchair. AK actually has the best access for me and my granddaughter because of our use of ASL and using wheelchairs.
At MK there is only one area we can use and that is the one across from Hall of the Presidents. Be aware that on Monday and Thursday the end nearest the Liberty Bell area is reserved for those who need the interpreters. It is actually the worst part of that handicapped area because it is in full sun. Of course many deaf look perfectly ABLE.
To the parent who says her child would only be to an adults knees. I think I am the best judge of whether or not a child will block my view of the parade. It is a decision for me to make not you. As a lttle person even a child can block me easily.
I do agree that a person with an ECV who gets up and sits on a bench or the wall should be required to remove the ECV and that space be given to someone remaining in their ECV.
In the past there were no handicapped seating areas and it was horrible. Before I needed a wheelchair we brought my mother in a wheelchair for her one and only visit to the Magic Kingdom. We got places for the parade early and my husband and father went to got food for us. Just prior to the parade starting a family came up and the man literally stepped up on the curb and pushed my mother's wheelchair back and stood in front of her. I asked him to move which he ignored. I then told Mother to tuck her legs out of the way and I rammed the wheelchair footrests into the back of his legs, first gently then with some force. He finally got the idea and he and his family left. It was situations like this that caused Disney to set up handicapped seating.
Btw I am one who is able to walk a short distance to get an ice cream or soda but I would not be able to stand for a parade or sit on a curb and be able to get up after. I do use my wheelcahir to watch the parade and don't sit on a bench. And to leave more room for those who need it my husband doesn't remain in the handicapped area but sits on a bench in another area and usually naps.

 

[dclfun]

Again, I would detest being the CM who had to deal with these issues as it's always a touchy situation. I'll never forget the night of the MVMCP this past December and trying to get to the disability seating area by the Walt Statue. Before the parade...hours before...there was a row of not less that 10 ECV's lined up behind the w/c seating area rope WITHOUT anyone sitting in them. They were holding spaces for people to return to that area and then watch the parade. Perhaps these folks couldn't sit on the curb, etc. but that area has built in benches and just like saving seats or saving lounge chairs by a pool for hours, it should not have been allowed. I saw a family with a severely disabled young girl approach the area all excited to get there early and wait for the parade only to have no place to park due to this row of ECV's. Common courtesy does seem to be lacking these days...sigh.---Kathy

 

[waltfan1957]

Something that a lot of you seem to forget. When our childern our severly handicap not just physically but also mentally "getting there early like the rest of us" won't work . I can not take her to run around to keep her busy while we hold the spot because she cant run. If I took her for a walk with her WC her spot would be taken. I am sorry the the handicap viewng area is a really sore subject for me. My DD also does not understabd other peoples personal space and loves to "say hi" to everyone around her by touching them. By putting others chairs close up to hers it is really hard to help her keep her hand to her self.

My wife says she would be welcome to sit as close to her as she likes its the children who make Disney what it is I often go to fetch her a drink while she waits in her WC when I get back she has most often been talking to small children she always says it makes the wait worthwhile,

 

[Kirlinale]

My wife says she would be welcome to sit as close to her as she likes its the children who make Disney what it is I often go to fetch her a drink while she waits in her WC when I get back she has most often been talking to small children she always says it makes the wait worthwhile,

What a wonderful outlook.. I too love to watch the children, especially when they are excited to see a favorite character in True to Life Form.. This was the first trip we have taken since DD is old enough to really connect with the characters .. It was magical , especially since she has significant cognitive processing delays.. While I am bitter about the handicapped viewing area , I won't forget the people who did allow my children to sit down in front of thier chairs.. I hope they enjoyed their excitement as much as we did, it was a blessing for our family to watch as our children could be 'children' as they suffer as much being the siblings of a disabled child who had extensive medical treatments. It would be nice if more people could be like your wife and help spread the magic...

Thanks for posting that!!

 

[Nanajo1]

I do not like the wrist band idea. That is what GACs are for. I don't want to be labelled with a wrist band.

I don't think the wrist band would necessarily label folks. Wrist bands are used access to pools and EMHs. I don't know if they would work but it is something that I hope would be explored along with the GACs.

 

[waltfan1957]

Again, I would detest being the CM who had to deal with these issues as it's always a touchy situation. I'll never forget the night of the MVMCP this past December and trying to get to the disability seating area by the Walt Statue. Before the parade...hours before...there was a row of not less that 10 ECV's lined up behind the w/c seating area rope WITHOUT anyone sitting in them. They were holding spaces for people to return to that area and then watch the parade. Perhaps these folks couldn't sit on the curb, etc. but that area has built in benches and just like saving seats or saving lounge chairs by a pool for hours, it should not have been allowed. I saw a family with a severely disabled young girl approach the area all excited to get there early and wait for the parade only to have no place to park due to this row of ECV's. Common courtesy does seem to be lacking these days...sigh.---Kathy

saw the same thing new years eve a family with 7 ecv's parked in the disabled area then left them there for 4 hours, if they did not need them for 4 hours then they only had them for one reason to book a spot for the midnight fireworks, sorry but this is wrong and WDW should address this

 

[Talking Hands]

saw the same thing new years eve a family with 7 ecv's parked in the disabled area then left them there for 4 hours, if they did not need them for 4 hours then they only had them for one reason to book a spot for the midnight fireworks, sorry but this is wrong and WDW should address this

If a person is able to leave the ECV and walk around for even 30 minutes do they really need to be in the handicapped area at all. Four hours is definitely an abuse of the system. I know walking more than a very few minutes and I am in major pain. I have to sit. But even sitting has its problems because I stiffen after a period of time and need to change position for a bit. Walking is pain. I am fortunate that at school I have a para that takes the kids to their special classes or the special teacher comes to the room. Just walking from the front office back to my classroom causes pain. Because of this my husband usually makes sure I have food and drink if necessary before he leaves me in the handicapped viewing area.

 

[michelle9343]

waltfan1957
I thank you and you wife for being so kind. My little angel does not talk but she loves to be social. It sad to say that many times we leave waiting to watch a parade because that people sitting next to her are offended by her socialness. If they ever had an opportunity to watch her excitement durning the parade I am sure they would change their point of view. Something else I forgot to say. Many times she has been parked next to an ECV and once the parade starts the driver decides to stand , so then she has a perfect veiw of the backside. This has happened way to many times. She does pull on them and attempt to make them move and that is one time that I wont stop her from touching(even if she just had some cotton candy ).

 

[waltfan1957]

waltfan1957
I thank you and you wife for being so kind. My little angel does not talk but she loves to be social. It sad to say that many times we leave waiting to watch a parade because that people sitting next to her are offended by her socialness. If they ever had an opportunity to watch her excitement durning the parade I am sure they would change their point of view. Something else I forgot to say. Many times she has been parked next to an ECV and once the parade starts the driver decides to stand , so then she has a perfect veiw of the backside. This has happened way to many times. She does pull on them and attempt to make them move and that is one time that I wont stop her from touching(even if she just had some cotton candy ).

We always go for xmas this is the best time of all for children we always let little children sit in front of her this year she even had a little boy sit on her knees not sure who got the most pleasure him or my wife most parents are so gratefull it always makes it worthwhile and they dont always talk but a smile or scream of exitment can say a thousand words

 

[pugdog]

When we do decide to stop and watch a parade Half of the fun is watching the kids. We always letr the kids sit in front of us. We even try to make more room or even leave if another kid in a wc comes, after all when we go we go a 2 weeks at a time and have plenty of time to see another one.

 

[MommytoMJM]

That's why I think it would be nice if they had 2 sorts of handicapped viewing spots. Right now, they have groups of people with very different needs sharing the same space.

I just got back around to reading this, and this *is* exactly what we need! If Andrew is with us, he takes MJ off to play and I hold her space next to mine for her chair (we bring her initally so the CM's can see she is in a chair, If he isn't with us, it's a whole 'nother ball of wax and we often miss parades...

I am sorry if I offended anyone about he getting there early (I was more thinking of people who I have heard brag about being to get a spot by making others move right before parade (and I have heard that, but I am sure none of you would do that)

 

[MommytoMJM]

Something that a lot of you seem to forget. When our childern our severly handicap not just physically but also mentally "getting there early like the rest of us" won't work . I can not take her to run around to keep her busy while we hold the spot because she cant run. If I took her for a walk with her WC her spot would be taken. I am sorry the the handicap viewng area is a really sore subject for me. My DD also does not understabd other peoples personal space and loves to "say hi" to everyone around her by touching them. By putting others chairs close up to hers it is really hard to help her keep her hand to her self.

BTW... If you meet us at an area.. fell free to let her touch me as much as you like, my MJ is hyper social also (she also can hit too [though she doesn't do it to hurt, just doesn't understand not to], which is why I don't allow sitting in front of her chair) but we often have to apologize to strangers for her hugging them or asking to thold her hand....

Is it possible for you to talk to a CM at the area and let him know about your daughter's issues and see if they can work with you to make sure she has a place at the right time, that wasy they would know about it?

 

[MommytoMJM]

waltfan1957
I thank you and you wife for being so kind. My little angel does not talk but she loves to be social. It sad to say that many times we leave waiting to watch a parade because that people sitting next to her are offended by her socialness. If they ever had an opportunity to watch her excitement durning the parade I am sure they would change their point of view. Something else I forgot to say. Many times she has been parked next to an ECV and once the parade starts the driver decides to stand , so then she has a perfect veiw of the backside. This has happened way to many times. She does pull on them and attempt to make them move and that is one time that I wont stop her from touching(even if she just had some cotton candy ).

Oh my word, that is awful beyond words Michelle, I am so sorry to hear that. I do hope that we can meet someday, she sounds like an angel

 

[Talking Hands]

waltfan1957
I thank you and you wife for being so kind. My little angel does not talk but she loves to be social. It sad to say that many times we leave waiting to watch a parade because that people sitting next to her are offended by her socialness. If they ever had an opportunity to watch her excitement durning the parade I am sure they would change their point of view. Something else I forgot to say. Many times she has been parked next to an ECV and once the parade starts the driver decides to stand , so then she has a perfect veiw of the backside. This has happened way to many times. She does pull on them and attempt to make them move and that is one time that I wont stop her from touching(even if she just had some cotton candy ).

She would be welcome to sit by me anytime. I am used to being touched by kids (Nana to MJ and teacher for the time being of 7 kindergardeners who are deaf). Won't bother me at all. And I've had the ECV people who stand once the parade has started. Can't blame her for not enjoying looking at their butts. I don't either.

 

[dclfun]

I am never offended by being touched by a child, hearing a child talk, etc. The only issue I would have is that my ventilator hoses could become detached which is a life- threatening issue. Once I had a child behind me swinging the ropes. I could feel my chair being touched and turned it a bit to ask the child to stop. Her mother had the nerve to glare at me even though I had not spoken in anger to her child. I have asked CM's before to place me in an area where my equipment was safe ( if I am solo) but truly they cannot control the other guests. For anyone in a chair, having your chair leaned on, being touched or your equipment handled is not appropriate. ----Kathy