Should a GAC be more difficult to get?

[Mike Bartenhagen]

I just read the thread about one of the members here being done with Universal and reading through the thread it appears that they have more of a process for obraining their form of the GAC. I think it would be a great if WDW had more of a process in obtaining their GAC and then be more flexable in what they allow, for instance if you are traveling with Grandma and Grandpa and have a family of 5 then allow 7 people to use the GAC so the group doesn't have to split up.

In my opinion it's too easy to get a GAC, yes I know about the hidden disabilities but in my opinion there seem to be too many people with disabilities that are far to hidden using the GAC. I would have no problem sending in information to Disney explaining why my son needed a GAC and supplying any information that they needed as far as medical records, etc. and then being preauthorized for a certain period of time.


BTW...This has nothing to do with the Universal thread, just something I have been thinking for a while and the comments about their process got me thinking there may be a better way.

Mike

 

[cm8]

I just read the thread about one of the members here being done with Universal and reading through the thread it appears that they have more of a process for obtaining their form of the GAC. I think it would be a great if WDW had more of a process in obtaining their GAC and then be more flexible in what they allow, for instance if you are traveling with Grandma and Grandpa and have a family of 5 then allow 7 people to use the GAC so the group doesn't have to split up.

In my opinion it's too easy to get a GAC, yes I know about the hidden disabilities but in my opinion there seem to be too many people with disabilities that are far to hidden using the GAC. I would have no problem sending in information to Disney explaining why my son needed a GAC and supplying any information that they needed as far as medical records, etc. and then being preauthorize for a certain period of time.


BTW...This has nothing to do with the Universal thread, just something I have been thinking for a while and the comments about their process got me thinking there may be a better way.

Mike

What if WDW decided to strap the whole GAC courtesy in lieu of revamping instead? That means that no one would get the preferential treatment that others seem to think one is afforded utilizing the GAC. I think that it would be a pain in the rear for Doctors to document the illnesses and or injuries that would be required. Our offices don't charge to complete paper work at this point, but if we were a civilian entity, we would gain a lot of income just by pushing paper.

Secondly, how would WDW be able to authenticate the letterhead of the visitor? Contact the doctor to see if it was actually prescribed?

Thirdly, even if all the too hidden to me disabilities have documented proof of needing a GAC how would that solve the issue about too many people utilizing one? It won't, somebody somewhere will state that one or more of such and such groups should be eliminated and made to just deal with ________(inset disability) or stay home. Besides, since when "you don't look sick" trumps the "I'm more disable than you look since I LOOK LIKE I'M MORE DISABLED"?

What if they stopped giving GAC's for children and people with autism? Would that mean you wouldn't go to WDW anymore? Would you not feel discriminated against in some way,shape, or form?

What I would think is a lot of abuse would be stopped in it's track. No one would need a GAC (except MAW). Since pretty much everything is mainstreamed, the need for a GAC would be pretty much eliminated

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Federal Law specifies "self-certification". All that is needed is for a person to state "I have a disability" and to indicate what their needs are.

The only situations where "proof" of a disability is required is if the person will get a higher level of service than a non-disabled person. An example of this would be to get a disabled license plate or hang tag as it will (1) allow specific access to a location (disabled parking) which a person without a disability would not be able to use and (2) free parking at meters where without a disability you have to pay.

To get my parking hang tag I had to provide a form signed by both myself and my doctor. The doctor had to include his address and medical license information, and the Motor Vehicles people could check back.

Even if Disney required a doctor's note, there would be no way to actually determine if this was true and correct, or even if the person signing the form was a licensed medical professional.

 

[Piper]

Well, it might reduce crowds, since this GAC user would not be able to go on the 2 trips I have booked for the next few months!

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

What if WDW decided to strap the whole GAC courtesy in lieu of revamping instead? That means that no one would get the preferential treatment that others seem to think one is afforded utilizing the GAC. I think that it would be a pain in the rear for Doctors to document the illnesses and or injuries that would be required. Our offices don't charge to complete paper work at this point, but if we were a civilian entity, we would gain a lot of income just by pushing paper.

I am not sure if you are being sarcastic or not but I do think that is a really good idea, if all of the rides were mainstreamed discussion over. Maybe our experience has been different than others and maybe I am confusing the wheelchair access with the GAC access but it has been my experience that we get on rides much quicker than the stated waiting times. For example on Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain we have always gone in the out gate (wheelchair entrance) and got on the ride within a few minutes of getting there. As far as the doctors notes...maybe they wouldn't have to go that far but possibly something other than a 18 year old handing out passes to someone becuase they say their child has problems waiting in line.

What if they stopped giving GAC's for children and people with autism? Would that mean you wouldn't go to WDW anymore? Would you not feel discriminated against in some way,shape, or form?

Not sure if you mean me specifically but it wouldn't mean anything to us specifically as my son doesn't have autism.

What I would think is a lot of abuse would be stopped in it's track. No one would need a GAC (except MAW). Since pretty much everything is mainstreamed, the need for a GAC would be pretty much eliminated

I agree.

 

[Melisande]

1. It is very easy to falsify stuff like letters from Docs.

2. Hippaa would really dislike the whole calling Docs to confirm letter is real business.

3. Not entirely unlikely to falsify #2 as well.

4. Stepping off the soapbox now before the madness seeps in and this becomes a 4 page explanation of invisible disabilities which I do have some issue with myself. I am so fed up with people acting like since I look well I must be well.

One last finally comment did MK loose all the other stamps cause I swear all they ever hand out lately is alt entrance.

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

One last finally comment did MK loose all the other stamps cause I swear all they ever hand out lately is alt entrance.

Funny you say that because our first park visit was the AK and even though my son has a wheelchair and we technically don't need a GAC I always get one because his Convaid chair can look like a stroller to some people. I found out on the second day of our trip that the GAC probably shouldn't be left in your pants and washed so I had to get it replaced and went to the MK guest services and showed her my pass and asked for a new one. She brought it back and said "here they didn't give you the good one", we didn't need that and didn't use it but she had no problem giving it to us without a need. In her defense she was a really sweet older lady and I am sure she thought she was just helping out a family with a cute (really cute ) little boy in a wheel chair but it wasn't the right thing for her to do.

 

[KPeveler]

I already don't like where this is going. Disney cannot require proof of a disability to receive accommodations which allow a person to access an attraction.

I am really not interested in debating whether or not the GAC is a good thing, or why people should or should not have them (and I know that is where this will go).

Also, as a general note, if everyone could please refrain from posting the names of stamps or what a GAC did for you specifically, that would be appreciated. We have found that it caused problems in the past if that information was posted.

I am going to close this thread for now, until Sue and I have a chance to decide what to do. Thank you

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with KPeveler that this discussion has probably gone as far as it should go and the thread should remain closed.
I was just looking at the thread to do that when she beat me to it.