Question from a newbie concering Down Syndrome - please help.

[rosedolph]

My baby sister (ok she is turning 25 but she is still my baby sister ) who has Down Syndrome, will be joining us for her first trip to DW! I am so excited but a little nervous.

Melody has several special needs, some physical (she is not able to stand or walk for long periods of time due to advanced stages of arthritis in her feet, and she is legally blind), some mental (mentally she is about 5 yrs old).

Due to her physical needs I will be renting a wheel chair for her to use. And she will be getting a GAC, but I still have a couple of questions. Do they do anything for people who are legally blind during shows (like seating them closer to the screen/stage)? Can we get a GAC for Melody's need of a wheel chair and for her being legally blind?

Basically I just want to make sure that Melody has a wonderful experience. She does not like to be left alone in a large crowd with strangers, and she wants to do things with everyone else. So for the rides, shows, and parades - will they separate us?

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciate. I am just a over-protective big sister! Thanks! ~ Melissa

 

[KPeveler]

you can get a GAC that will allow you to sit close to the front for shows, but there is not always wheelchair seating there - can she transfer to a regular seat in things like philharmagic?

also, you do not need a GAC to use the wheelchair - having it tells CMs that you need accessible entrances

With a wheelchair or GAC you can have 5 people, plus hte person with the disability, so you should not be separated. in a couple shows there is only room for one person next to the wheelchair and the rest of the party will be seated in front (generally). She should NEVER have to be separated on her own.

Check out locations of companion restrooms - they are easier for you to push her inside and she has lots of room to move about (and no strangers in the next stall). there is also room if she needs any assistance.

most lines are mainstreamed, so in general, she can wait in lines with the family, no problem, just like all other guests. if there are concerns NOT met by the wheelchair, talk to the CM when you get a GAC and they will be able to help. you MUST have her with you when getting a GAC - she doesn't have to say anything, but she needs to be within sight somewhere

if she has any sensory problems, rent a wheelchair at home so she can try it out. i have mild sensory problems, and nothing brings them out worse than vinyl on my skin!! also, renting off site or at home means she can have a wheelchair at the resort and for buses - sometimes it can be a very long walk from car/bus to park. you can fold up a manual chair and hold it, if she wants to walk up the stairs onto the bus.

check out the FAQs, there is lots of great info there!

 

[maroo]

Looks like your questions were all answered, but I just wanted to say...

Disney is a wonderful place. And it sounds like you guys are going to have a wonderful time! She will have sounds and texture experiences that will be wonderful for her. I think she will love it!

Disney will probably go above and beyond to help you have a magical trip!

I hope you will come back to the boards and let us know how it went!

 

[rosedolph]

Thanks so much for the responses! I think it did answer all my questions - and eased my mind!
I will make sure and come back after our trip to let everyone know how it went. I am sure I will have lots of happy pictures too!
Thanks again ~ Melissa

 

[SueM in MN]

I just want to point you toward some information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It is near the top of this board, or you can use the link in my signature to get there.
If you need to rent a wheelchair, post #2 of that thread will help you find how to get one.
Post #6 of that thread is all about Guest Assistance Cards.
Post #3 has links to information and to past threads that might be helpful. One of the things you will find there is a link to the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park. There is also a link to a thread I made about bathrooms - not done yet, but it has pictures of the Companion Restrooms for Epcot, so you can see what those are like. There are also some links to things like planning for a child with a visual impairment - many of the things in that thread would be helpful for someone of any age with a vision impairment.

 

[maroo]

I just want to point you toward some information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It is near the top of this board, or you can use the link in my signature to get there.
If you need to rent a wheelchair, post #2 of that thread will help you find how to get one.
Post #6 of that thread is all about Guest Assistance Cards.
Post #3 has links to information and to past threads that might be helpful. One of the things you will find there is a link to the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park. There is also a link to a thread I made about bathrooms - not done yet, but it has pictures of the Companion Restrooms for Epcot, so you can see what those are like. There are also some links to things like planning for a child with a visual impairment - many of the things in that thread would be helpful for someone of any age with a vision impairment.

Sue...


THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you for working so hard to obtain this information and continually update it! It is wonderful and so very helpful to us!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue...


THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you for working so hard to obtain this information and continually update it! It is wonderful and so very helpful to us!!

You are welcome.
Now, if I didn't have all that pesky stuff called work to worry about, I could finish all the things for the boards I have started that are not complete.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Some on here have mentioned some new technology that Disney has for guests who are visually impaired that allows them to "see" the rides by describing what is going on. Maybe somebody familiar with that can talk more about it.

Do not hesitate to tell the CMs that she is visually impaired- especially at character greetings! Characters are trained on how to handle guests with visual impairments and will often allow her to feel their face so that she can "see" the character if she needs it. Not sure how low her vision is. I can't guarantee that every character will do this as part of it will depend on their comfort level. It may not be an option if you believe she may be rough with them, but I have seen it done before.

The CMs are normally pretty good at helping all guests have a magical experience regardless of ability.