Possible Sub-Forum for disABILITIES! Please Read Carefully and Comment

[phorsenuf]

I know I don't post here often but I do read. I am mixed on the idea of a sub-board. Things don't move here all the fast sometimes but then again sometimes it's tough to wade through or wonder if you should evenpost because it's not Disney related.
If there is a sub-board I hope it would encompass all areas of disabilities and not just children.
I have one of those fun invisible disabilities and I like coming here and reading posts from others who have them too. I just wouldn't like it be set up to kinda cater to one area only.
I know there are plenty of other boards out there (which I need to find) that focus on certain conditions but like somebody else here said there is that bond already and I'm sure alot of posters feel more comfortable here posting than in new enviroments.
I suppose my suggestion is if you're going to add one, why not 2. One for children and one for adults.

 

[dclfun]

I like the board the way it is and would wonder how "Special Needs" would even belong on a DISboard forum, which is all supposed to relate to Disney. Sometimes people branch out on a topic to help each other which is fine to me. If I see a thread on which I have no experience, I usually just skip it. Perhaps if a thread is started that relates only to someones SN, if we list it as OT that might be best? Just thinking....---Kathy

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I like the idea of a sub-forum for non-disney special needs. This is a great community here on the Dis, and I know that I can ask both Disney and off-topic questions and get insightful, non-judgmental feedback from other people who understand the many facets of being a special needs family.

I do not mind having the non-disney questions on the main disAbilities page but at the same time it would be nice to have a "home" where they were not "off topic" questions. It would feel more comfortable to know that the general questions are ok, rather than worrying that my "OT-to nut allergy parents" thread is bothering someone looking for Disney information.

 

[shovan]

I don't find the board all the busy or difficult to navigate either. I would not have a problem with a sub-forum but would not want one that focused on just children either.
Unless we were told to stop posting on other disability issues, right now I don't see the need for a sub-forum.
I have found this board very helpful.

 

[forr2grls]

I think it is a good idea. Just have a general disabilites sub-forum so not to leave anyone out. Like many here have stated there are disabitlity specific sites out there,think if anyone wants that info maybe we could even get a sticky that we can post those sites on.Just a thought. Thanks for asking for our feedback!


Paula

 

[spotdog]

As a "grown up" who loves to vacation at Disney, but lives everyday with mental illness/anxiety issues I do not mind at all if topics stray from "Disney Park" issues. Whether I am at a Disney park or hotel or working and living at home my challenges are the same.

 

[Annam26]

Moderators: If we did get a subforum, couldn't it alse be used for general venting? I mean, I'd like to be able to discuss, oh, general misuse of handicapped parking - but since my observations aren't Disney-related, posting on a subforum UNDER disABILITIES makes more sense than posting in the main forum, and much more sense than using the Community Board...

What she said...

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

I like the board the way it is and would wonder how "Special Needs" would even belong on a DISboard forum, which is all supposed to relate to Disney. Sometimes people branch out on a topic to help each other which is fine to me. If I see a thread on which I have no experience, I usually just skip it. Perhaps if a thread is started that relates only to someones SN, if we list it as OT that might be best? Just thinking....---Kathy

I agree with Kathy. I am not sure how a Special Needs sub forum would belong here. I come here to look for specific information on disabilities and Disney and if some of the topics branch out that's fine. If I am looking for non Disney info there are a lot of groups for that already.

Mike

 

[LindaBabe]

I like the idea of a subforum - not specifically focused on children, but on 'disAbilities not Disney'.

Yes, this board doesn't move fast, but I feel it would be easier to find answers to Disney related questions if the general questions were seperated and likewise easier to find support in a general area if I didn't need to wade through the disney questions.

I don't belong to any other disability related boards. I feel comfortable here. People are already united by their common love of Disney.

Whatever happens - thank you for caring and investing your time and energy in thinking of the ideas that might make this a better place.

 

[Zoemakes5]

I'm kinda mixed on this one. One of the things I see happen all the time when sub-forums (or new forums) are created to sub-segment things, you lose the insight that the broader population on the forum brings. To use a non-disney example, on another board I go to, there's a product info. forum and a "general" forum. The product info. forum was created because so many of the posts in the general forum were about products. What's happened though, is that the product info. board tends to be slow and not a wide variety of responses, kind of only people looking for feedback, and the wealth of experience of those who have something to share didn't follow over. I'd hate to see that. People may respond with insight to a post even if they came to find out about busses to and from WDW. Maybe something hits home, or they've specifically experienced it and the figure "btdt, I have something to contribute."
However, I hate to think that there are people who are not posting because they feel their posts must be Disney related. I belong to a number of other forums on the Dis, and there are lots and lots of posts that have little or nothing to do with Disney at all. The budget board is one of them. If we were limited to just discussion of budget disney trips/tips, I think we'd have about 1/3 the amounts of posts.
Is there a way to be more inclusive in the "mission" or "guidelines" to welcome those who wish to talk about "broader" disability issues on our board and revisit the issue if/when we get too much movement on the board?

 

[Haley Whippet]

I agree with Karynnix. This board isn't so busy that a subforum is needed.

Yes, it'd be good to have a separate special needs area, but everyone has always been extremely helpful with any SN posts. Unlike some of the other forums, there isn't anything that would truly be off topic if it's in the disability spectrum.

Suzanne

I totally Agree
Deb

 

[maynard]

i want to start by saying i really appreciate all the OT ideas and support i've gotten from this site! i know there are probably similar discussion boards on autism websites, but this one is so friendly and comfortable...plus there is the added benefit of hearing about people's vacations! (and then reliving my own great memories ) what i do is look at the thread title and go from there. people usually put key phrases like "GAC" or "ASD" in the title so i know it is relevent to what i'm looking for.

whatever you decide to do, i understand.

 

[MommytoMJM]

I think it's a great idea.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think it's a great idea. I was so excited to find a disabilites board on a WDW board, but was disappointed to see the majority of the posts were "my kid has ADD, my kid has Asperger's, my kids has SID" and a bunch of other acronyms I hadn't even heard of yet. I really was expecting this board to be Disney with a disbility. I think a lot of people would venture onto this board if there was a subforum and the WDW-related disabililty threads were on the main forum.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Personally I think things are fine as they are, as others have said it is easy on this forum to browse through the threads on-going.

One thing I would consider changing is the forum title "Share tips and information on touring Disney World with disabilities". As many of the discussions do not necessarily relate to Disney World plus many people who use these boards do not visit WDW.

"A general discussion forum covering ALL aspects of dealing with disABILITIES" ??

 

[djblu883]

I think if some people are not posting and fell the need then it would be a good service to them. If they are not posting elsewhere and need this then please by all means give them what they NEED. I feel if it takes so little to help a few then by all means go for it....there is enough missed by the public at "large"...lets not be one of them...I'd gladly help anyone with special needs kids or adults alike with what knowledge I have as a physical therapist...good luck!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

One thing I would consider changing is the forum title "Share tips and information on touring Disney World with disabilities". As many of the discussions do not necessarily relate to Disney World plus many people who use these boards do not visit WDW.

"A general discussion forum covering ALL aspects of dealing with disABILITIES" ??

I respectfully disagree with this suggestion. I think it's actually excellent support FOR creating a subforum. While, sure, a lot of people who use these boards don't visit Disney World, it really is the primary focus of the boards.

While I still don't have a suggestion for a subforum name, the description could be something like "Discuss non-travel-related special needs (and other) issues here".

 

[videogal1]

At last, a way to send those looking for general support for their personal medical concerns off to an appropriate internet support group and away from the Disney board where general medical support is not appropriate. Hope it works!

 

[marybrat]

I think that's a good idea

 

[taximomfor4]

I hate to disagree, but I don't feel like this board is so busy that the posts get lost. My posts usually stay on the first page for a few weeks. I like having all of the posts in one place.

ITA with this post. This board moves at such a leisurely pace that nobody's questions are getting buried. I think if the pace picks up ever, THEN a sub will be a good idea. Until then, it will just make this board move even slower.

Beth