Kids with Disabilities

[jacobandcoopersmommy]

My son has a disorder on the autism spectrum. We visited Disney World in September and based on prior research, we brought a letter from his doctor explaining his condition. They then gave us a ticket, much like a handicap pass, that allowed us to go straight into the Fast Pass line. Does Disneyland participate in this as well? I sure hope so! It was so nice not to worry about him having a breakdown while we were waiting in line for a ride.

 

[hlbtimes2]

They do offer something, but I can't offer any real details. We havent had to use it. You'll want to check with city hall when you get to the park.

 

[challada]

Bring the same letter from the dr to the City Hall in DL as soon as you get there and they will do the same for you.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Disney has really tightened up on this, and now issue passes based on need, not diagnosis. They will encourage you to use FP as much as possible. I will copy this over to the Dis Abilities board for more comment

 

[jacobandcoopersmommy]

Thanks for doing that. I guess I wonder what you mean by need vs. diagnosis? Who would be the person to determine if that need is present?? If a doctor is saying there is a need, why would they question it? Just curious. I am sure that there are those out there that abuse the system, and that is just too bad. I certainly wouldn't even make the request unless I knew it would be a necessity for my child.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks for doing that. I guess I wonder what you mean by need vs. diagnosis? Who would be the person to determine if that need is present?? If a doctor is saying there is a need, why would they question it? Just curious. I am sure that there are those out there that abuse the system, and that is just too bad. I certainly wouldn't even make the request unless I knew it would be a necessity for my child.[/QUOT
Abuse is what changed a number of things. There was a large post last year that detailed many of the changes. Unfortunately in the real world if some people can figure out to abuse the system they will do it. I would still go to City Hall and see what they say.

Jack

 

[briar_rose_59]

Thanks for doing that. I guess I wonder what you mean by need vs. diagnosis? Who would be the person to determine if that need is present?? If a doctor is saying there is a need, why would they question it? Just curious. I am sure that there are those out there that abuse the system, and that is just too bad. I certainly wouldn't even make the request unless I knew it would be a necessity for my child.

I believe what was meant by "need vs diagnosis" is that you need to say "my child cannot wait in long lines/the sun/etc." rather than "my son has autism/a sun allergy/etc." (just using 2 examples I've heard most often )

 

[GreenGirl8]

You shouldn't have a problem. The pass will not guarantee you get on attractions any faster, but provide a quieter/less crowded area to wait. As you probably know, less crowds = less overstimulation = a happier/calmer child. These lines usually result in quicker boarding though. If you are concerned at all, give guest relations a call and ask any clarifying questions.

 

[challada]

It's not about the diagnosis in that, by law, Disney is NOT allowed to ask what the diagnosis is for your special needs child (or adult). It's none of their business what someone's diagnosis is anyway and no CM is trained enough to give "priority status" to one disability over another. Disney is responsible, however, to provide appropriate accommodations for special needs individuals and I believe they do an excellent job of that. This is why you need to present the dr letter and what the specific needs of the individual are.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is the information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) from the disABILITIES Board disABILITIES FAQs.
I edited it a little bit to take out the information that is specific to WDW. The GACs have been handled this way at WDW since 1999 and Disneyland changed to the GAC system in about 2003 or 2004 from a Special Assistance Pass, where everyone, no matter what their needs, was put into the 'handicapped entrance'. That made long 'handicapped' lines, sometimes longer than the standby lines and really didn't meet the needs of a number of people (some of whom needed a quieter or less crowded place to wait).

Here's a summary of information about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards):

• To request one, go to Guest Services in any of the parks and talk to the CM there about your problems and needs. The person with a disability who needs a GAC does need to be with you when a GAC is requested.
  
  You don't need a doctor's letter and the CM is likely to not want to look at it. Some people DO feel more confident asking for a GAC if they have a letter, but a letter is not required. If you do have one, it should reflect your needs, not your diagnosis.
  NOTE: I don't know if this is true, but I have heard from several people that Disneyland IS requiring a letter from a doctor. WDW does not and it is not clear whether one can be required because the ADA does state a person with a disability can't be forced to PROVE their disability in order to receive accomidations for their needs.
  The diagnosis is not really that important because people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. The GAC is not given based on diagnosis at all (for example, there is not a "list" of appropriate diagnosis for a GAC); the GAC is given based on needs and the accomidations that meet those needs. Saying you need to avoid waiting in lines is not a need and you will be asked for clarification about what needs make you not able to wait in lines or be told to use Fastpass if you need to avoid lines.
  The GAC is usually given for up to 6 people (5 plus the person with a disability) and is valid at all the parks. You don't need to get a new one at each theme park (At least not at WDW).
  A few other things
• the GAC is not meant to be a pass that gives immediate access. In fact, in 1999, they renamed it to Card at WDW because when it was called a Pass, people thought it mean front of the line access. It says right on the card that it will not shorten or eliminate waits in line.
• it is meant as a tool to tell the CMs what the person's needs are so that they can provide appropriate accomidation for the person it was issued to. Some examples of accomidations might be a quieter place to wait, a place out of the sun (for those times when the line is in the sun for a prolonged period of time), using a stroller as a wheelchair, avoiding stairs.
• even if you have a GAC, not all accomidations are available at each attraction (especially, some may not have a place to sit)
• because what is stamped on the GAC is based on needs, not all GACs say the same thing.
• think of the GAC like an insurance card, not necessarily needed or used all the time, but there for when you need it.
• even on the same attraction, the GAC is not always handled the same each time.
  Exactly what happens depends on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the time and staffing. Some times you may be sent thru the regular standby line, occassionally the fastpass line; sometimes the person with the GAC and a member of their party will be given an alternate place to wait while the rest of the party goes thru the standby line - and then meet up with them when they get to the front. Sometimes you might be given a slip and told you can come back at the time written on the slip (usually equal to the standby time); very occassionally, you might be taken right in. It depends on what they call "attraction considerations" (which is basically the things I listed in the second sentence).
• Fastpass is a good way to avoid waits in line. You don't have to be present to get a fastpass, you can send one member of your party ahead with all the park passes to get fastpasses. When you report back to the ride at your fastpass return time, your wait will be 15 minutes or less.
• For people who are concerned about stamina or endurance, Disney suggests a wheelchair or renting a motorized scooter (also called ecv; for over 18 yrs and up) or a stroller for a child. The distance and time spent going around the parks is much greater than the time and distance spent in line. With an ecv or wheelchair, you will always have a place to sit and can conserve energy for fun, instead of just getting around.

[/b]

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

My brother is severly mentally handicapped, we always get him a wheel chair while were there. He does not do well in lines or crowds unfortunately. But is like a big kid at Disneyland, just loves it (he's 28 now).

We've never had to show proof with a letter. We've always gone to City Hall, explained his needs, and it was never questioned, never a problem. Were taking him again in October, I'm not worried about it. They've always been very nice and helpful.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am not trying to imply they won't be helpful, or you won't have a great time....just wanted to prepare you for what i thought to be true.....that a diagnosis focused letter is not what they are looking for.....instead a clear explanation about your loved one's special needs.

 

[jacobandcoopersmommy]

I understand what you are saying Judy. In the letter my sons's doctor wrote it did state his disability and also explained the condition and what they could do to possibly help make his trip more enjoyable. I know Disney really tries to make it a great experience for everyone and I am sure that they will be great this time! Thanks for you input everyone!

 

[SueM in MN]

I am not trying to imply they won't be helpful, or you won't have a great time....just wanted to prepare you for what i thought to be true.....that a diagnosis focused letter is not what they are looking for.....instead a clear explanation about your loved one's special needs.

You are right, Judy.
I have been behind people at Guest Services at WDW who had a letter full of diagnosis information (the CMs didn't want to look at it, but the people insisted). Since the CMs are not medical people, many of the medical diagnoses don't mean anything to them.
One woman had a letter for her mother that sounded like the referals that we send to Nursing Homes when we discharge them from the hospital I work at. It had lots of detail about her past medical history (she had a stroke and high blood pressure), her diet, how she transferred (minimum to moderate assist of one). But, when the CM asked the woman what her mom needed for accomidation, she didn't know what to say. She was getting very frustrated because she kept saying "they doctor wrote a letter" and the CM was getting frustrated because the letter didn't give information that was helpful to the CM.
I've also seen people with letters that said "My patient has ________(fill in the blank with disease). Please extend him every consideration." That also doesn't give any information to the CM about what accomidations the person needs.