I agree with the others about renting
ECVs from off-site and making sure that your resort requests are listed as "Medical Requests" (those are filled before general requests for the same things.) CRO can list the requests as because of medical reasons - make sure it says something to that effect on your confirmation letter.
Unless they need a handicapped accessible room or some special equipment, you probably don't need to deal with Special Reservations (the department that covers special needs).
Michigan said:
under the ADA it is illegal for them to look at a letter.
Cheshire Figment said:
I think that it is illegal to ask for a letter. If you have one and tell them you want them to look at it, I think they do have to.
I believe it is illegal for them to
require a letter (a small distinction to what Michigan wrote).
If you have one and ask them to look at it, they can look at it. But, they don't have to look at it just because you ask/want them to.
This is the part of the ADA (in summary form) that
covers accomidations:
IV. Eligibility for Goods and Services
In providing goods and services, a public accommodation may not use eligibility requirements that exclude or segregate individuals with disabilities, unless the requirements are necessary for the operation of the public accommodation.
For example, excluding individuals with cerebral palsy from a movie theater or restricting individuals with Down's Syndrome to only certain areas of a restaurant would violate the regulation.
Requirements that tend to screen out individuals with disabilities, such as requiring a blind person to produce a driver's license as the sole means of identification for cashing a check, are also prohibited.
Safety requirements may be imposed only if they are necessary for the safe operation of a place of public accommodation. They must be based on actual risks and not on mere speculation, stereotypes, or generalizations about individuals with disabilities.
For example, an amusement park may impose height requirements for certain rides when required for safety.
Extra charges may not be imposed on individuals with disabilities to cover the costs of measures necessary to ensure nondiscriminatory treatment, such as removing barriers or providing qualified interpreters.
Modifications in Policies, Practices, and Procedures
A public accommodation must make reasonable modifications in its policies, practices, and procedures in order to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
A modification is not required if it would "fundamentally alter" the goods, services, or operations of the public accommodation.
For example, a department store may need to modify a policy of only permitting one person at a time in a dressing room if an individual with mental retardation needs the assistance of a companion in dressing.
Modifications in existing practices generally must be made to permit the use of guide dogs and other service animals.
I can't find any references that specifically deal with it, but I believe requiring a letter in order to provide accmidation has been ruled to be one of the "Requirements that tend to screen out individuals with disabilities,";
(some people might not be able to get a doctor's letter, etc.)
lsg1 said:
This is a little off topic, but I called Six Flag(great Adventure) yesterday to find out about wheel chair accessibility, and they told me I have to bring a letter from my doctor to guest services to receive a Special Access Card. I was suprised, and asked "even if I am in a wheel chair?" and the woman said "especially if you are in a wheel chair, because you need the special card for access to the rides".
Seems different than WDW...anyone have experience with this?
If I have the right Six Flags park, their
Special Access Pass is talked about on this page:
SPECIAL ACCESS PASS
Six Flags Great Adventure strives to provide mainstream access whenever possible; however, each attraction is different. Guests who use a wheelchair or who are unable to stand in a queue (line) will be allowed exit clearance by means of a Special Access Pass. In order to receive exit clearance, stop by Guest Relations to receive your Special Access Pass*. The process should only take a few moments at the start of your day, and then you're ready to enjoy the park!
*NOTE: Documentation proving your disability is required and must be presented at Guest Relations to receive your Special Access Pass. Your documentation might be a State Issued Disability Card, or a letter from your doctor summarizing your condition.
The Special Access Pass has been designed to ensure equal treatment for all of our Guests while continuing to provide access to those Guests who may not be able to maneuver through or stand in our queue lines. The Special Access Pass is designed only to ensure alternate access to the attractions. They are not intended to eliminate the wait you may experience. The disabled Guest must be a rider in order for the party to receive exit clearance.
It sounds like many of their rides have lines that are not wheelchair accessible and for those, you need to enter at the exit.
This sounds like their attempt to deal with people who are renting wheelchairs to get superior access.
They are probably going on this point:
"A modification is not required if it would "fundamentally alter" the goods, services, or operations of the public accommodation."
Since entering thru the exit could be said to "fundamentally alter" the operations, they are probably saying they are not required to provide it. Since it is not required, they can ask for proof if they want (and they have more than one type of proof that they will accept, so they are probably saying it would not tend to screen people out).
I'm not sure if it would stand up to a lawsuit, but I'm not a lawyer, an expert on the ADA and I don't play one on TV.
