proof of disability

[nee]

...

 

[AprilsZoo]

Presumably it is because of the wording of "The American's with Disabilities Act" (ADA).

The wording is such that if you have a proven disability or *could be considered to have a disability* you receive full protection of the law. You are considered to have a disability if you are substantially limited in any ONE major life function. As you can imagine this greatly widens the scope.

Basically this means that there is never any proof necessary, just your statement that you consider yourself to be disabled.

 

[3kids4me]

Hi,

My daughter is considered to be disabled (she is in a wheelchair when she has to walk long distances, has an IV line in her arm, and can't be exposed to the sun because of her medication). We have a disabled parking pass that we show at the gate at Disney in order to use the handicapped parking, and then hang the pass on our mirror as others with the pass do. When we get my daughter a special services pass, we bring a letter from her doctor, although I know it's not necessary at Disney.

We do these things so that she doesn't have to walk for long distances or be directly in the sun. I can't for the life of me figure out why being disabled would entitle her to free movie passes or other discounts, unless she were not having the full experience of seeing the movie in some way. I'm just curious as to what you would be looking for specifically? Or is your issue that anyone can ask for a special services pass at Disney without having to "prove" anything?

 

[signtalker]

Nee im in england too, how do you manage to get free cinema passes?, I have a child with multiple disabilities and a disabled husband, as well as working for a disability support team as an Interpreteur for the deaf, but Ive never heard of free tickets only discounted.

Jules

 

[nee]

To answer both questions, Disney has gone to a lot of trouble to make line entrances wider because some people were abusing the system. The obvious thing would be to ask for proof of disability and that would have stopped all the complaints they had, hence the question.
At UCC cinemas with 1 disabled and 1 carer, only 1 pays, there are reduced rates at all the theme parks I have been to in England and some attractions in London. They come under concessions

 

[SueM in MN]

To answer both questions, Disney has gone to a lot of trouble to make line entrances wider because some people were abusing the system.

Actually, the main reason that they made the lines wider was to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the past, the only way to get into many of the rides was to bypass the entrance. This meant that anyone who had mobility problems had to receive special treatment, which some found demeaning. I'm not sure, but I believe some people filed a lawsuit to ask for the regular lines to be made accessible. By making the lines wider and more easily accessible, the majority of people with mobility disabilities are able to wait in line without (or with very little) special treatment. Those who still need additional assistance can go to Guest Services and request a Guest Assistance Card.

 

[signtalker]

Nee, there isnt a Ucc cinema near me, thats why I didnt know about free tickets, I do access the concessions rates however on most other things.
You do know Universal/IOA seaworld and busch all offer reduced fees dont you.

Jules

 

[Talking Hands]

Nee,
I don't really see the need for reduced rates because a person has a disability. If you can enjoy the venue why should you have a reduced rate?
I'm going to a play next month. They will provide an interpreter. It actually costs the venue more toprovide the interpreter but they are required to because of ADA. They should give me discounted tickets as well? I don't think so.
As for requiring one to show proof of disability. I think my hearing aids and wheelchair are sufficient proof. Having to constantly prove I am disabled is demeaning. I would have a big problem with that.
Even those with unseen disabilities should not have to constantly prove they are different. They know it all too well. Society makes it hard enough on those with disabilities with their attitudes without constantly having to prove that your life chanllenges are real to others who do not know you.

 

[nee]

Its interesting to read a different opinion that I never even thought about.

In England though we call reduced rates, concessions, and apart from disabled, they apply to other groups such as elderly people, students etc. In fact most places offer concessions even our local DIY stores have a 10% discount for the elderly on a wednesday.

I can see why it's annoying to ask for proof of disability in the form of say a letter from your GP as the airline asked me once, when I asked requested a window seat. Because apart from the cost of paying £15 for the " proof " I did feel that it was more information than they needed to know, although I would be happy to show my parking badge or perhaps something that did not go into to much detail.

 

[bliss4us]

Hi all,

I've been reading this board for some time, but just felt compelled to post here. This is a very interesting discussion for me, since my husband is a BK (below-knee) amputee.

This is not a disability that anyone notices unless he's wearing shorts - and even then, some folks aren't so observant He can walk well most of the time, but sores etc. occassionally make him unable to wear his leg at all.

We have had several uncomfortable situations over the years with people questioning whether or not he is disabled and what his disability is. We even had a police officer ask to see his leg one day - within the last year - when we were parked in a handicapped spot. I thought professionals who deal with the public every day would be more savvy than that, but...

Anyway, as far as asking for proof of a disability, my husband does find it an inconvenience - sometimes even irritating, depending on how it is handled - to have to prove that he is telling the truth when he needs assistance.

We very much appreciate those people - like WDW - who will take us at our word. I know there are people who abuse the system, but I do believe they're a tiny minority. Better to assume that someone has a hidden disability than to offend or embarrass them, in my opinion.

Just my two cents, though

Daisy

 

[SandraC]

Hi ~ our city zoo charges half price for the PWD (person with disability) [my dd] and her escort [me or dh] enters free. I don't know why they do that, we were offered it a long time ago by the zoo without even asking for it.

S

 

[lookingforward]

bliss4us..I think that is so unfair to your husband. I had a friend who has multiple sclerosis and has good days and really bad days. On her bad days she can hardly walk at all. MANY times people have just scorned her when she is sitting in a wheel chair because she can obviously walk ( although she is in pain) and looks healthy. But she suffers so much. I am headed to disneyworld in ten days with my son who has fractured his foot. He is not in a cast but has to wear a "boot". His orthopedic surgeon said he must ride in a wheel chair while at WDW and gave me a note in case I have any problems. I SO hope that noone questions me or thinks we are trying to get away with something because that would really break my heart.

 

[bliss4us]

lookingforward,

Well, most places we deal with are wonderful. If he doesn't need any assistance, no problem. If he does, most folks are more than sensitive to his condition. The few that pry unnecessarily or suspect something fishy happen to stick out in my memory, but then, there's no accounting for some people's manners...

We count ourselves lucky that he is strong and healthy enough that most people would never notice that he has a disability at all. In fact, some people never know he has a prosthesis until the first time they see him in shorts, LOL!

While my husband hasn't had to use a wheelchair at Disney, a sore leg - from all that walking! - on our last trip led me to look into the possibility while we were there. I didn't offer any description of his problem, and the CM we dealt with didn't ask. Disney was the picture of professionalism, kind and helpful, and certainly didn't make us feel as though they were questioning us for a moment.

Based on this, I'd be some surprised if Disney gave you or your son any grief at all.

Have a great trip,

Daisy

 

[txadmin]

We were at the World last summer. My son, who has no arms and malformed legs, was treated with great respect and courtesy at all of the parks. Often times, he seemed to get extra attention.

We do get lots of stares and uncomfortable looks. Sometimes I think it is just because people who don't know how to react. Others are just plain rude.

We are traveling together to WDW and on the Wonder. He is working on becoming a travel agent and is interested in how he is treated so that he in turn can help others. This trip on the Wonder is necessary for him to be able to book cruises. Lucky for me, he has to have someone go with him.