Universal now requiring documentation be sent to a third party for accessibility

[HopperFan]

Either one. I just wish I had some idea how long it takes.

I keep following along on several sites. Honestly the system seems more inconsistent than just dealing with the park. Folks getting approved with something about as helpful as a grocery list.

I've seen quite a few people say that they got an immediate digital card upon completion, and some have said a few days later they got a final digital card. A couple said they were denied.

The hard part here is it sounds like from their website and explanations all they are doing is verifying you have a "certified" disability. The company's card is not just for theme parks, it's not that specific. Universal will still have to get with you on what specific accommodations are needed. They may or may not give you their card. The question is will they initiate and in what timeframe? And how long are you supposed to wait on IBCCES?

I hate it for all those going soon and being the guinea pigs. Both Universal and this company have really dropped the ball on ... what documents do they accept? how long before you get a response? how long before you hear from Universal? what can you expect from your convo from them? It's all so vague.

 

[ttintagel]

I see what Disney see’s …people smiling and conversing normally as I wait in the long line for DAS registration at customer relations on day 1. I think to myself.. what’s different about the long line for DAS registration and a long line for a ride? I see the vast majority of people in the DAS registration line on day 1 very relaxed and comfortable. Those who abuse the system can ruin it for kids that truly need some help

And you think you have some kind of ESP that tells you who's abusing the system and who isn't? If I had that kind of psychic ability I'd be using it to make millions on the stock market and spend it on VIP tours so I wouldn't have to try to wait in any lines at all.

 

[ttintagel]

My needs are frequent need for a restroom as quite a few others on here have posted needing also. The Team Member on the phone went on to explain that in these situations they recommend that you leave the line while the rest of your party waits.

It's so bizarre that theme parks have been recommending this so much lately. Even if the difficulty of other guests thinking you're trying to cut the line didn't exist, and even if it wasn't sometimes physically difficult to squeeze back through to your party, the fact that you have other people in your party doesn't mean that the entire party is always going to ride every single ride together.

If Dick and Jane are at the park together, Dick has a bad back, and Jane has sudden bathroom emergencies, does that mean Jane isn't allowed to ride the roller coasters Dick isn't able to? Does it mean that Dick has to stand in line for something he isn't going to ride just on the off chance Jane will have an emergency and need him to save her place?

It's like they haven't thought through how something that might sound good on paper often doesn't work in real life.

 

[Jnjtrio]

Sure hope universal will refund tickets if they do not approve for people with bathroom issues. IBS, Chrone etc can be debilitating. Husband just stated he will never even consider going to Universal again if there response is to just leave the line and try to get back inline. Guess his disability almost killing him, septic shock, coma etc is not enough.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Still haven't heard anything one way or the other. In a few days I've gone from being excited about surprising my son with a birthday trip next month to stressing about this stupid card and worrying that I've tossed several hundred bucks in the garbage.

I applied on Thursday and was just approved this morning- no email or phone call. Every morning and evening since Thursday I have logged in to the app to check the card status, was planning on using the chat function if I didn't see a status change in the next day or two.

 

[EveDallas]

I applied on Thursday and was just approved this morning- no email or phone call. Every morning and evening since Thursday I have logged in to the app to check the card status, was planning on using the chat function if I didn't see a status change in the next day or two.

Thank you for sharing that - I feel a little better now. I applied on Friday so hopefully I'll see something soon.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I applied on Thursday and was just approved this morning- no email or phone call. Every morning and evening since Thursday I have logged in to the app to check the card status, was planning on using the chat function if I didn't see a status change in the next day or two.

Yeah similar for me. I wasn’t 100% sure if I got approved when I initially thought maybe I was. I definitely no longer have temporary on the card - it just says card holder. They didn’t contact me at all. I have yet to hear from universal but honestly not going until October and purchased express like I always do for HHN and any park visits there. It was approved by my FMLA paperwork so for adults who have this paperwork maybe try submitting it. Depending on how it is completed they may accept it. I tried submitting both pages of it multiple times but think they got the page that lists work accommodations only which honestly is prob the most important page. I have no idea what universal will do but like I said I greatly prefer express to having to go back and forth to the ride with paper and have it the return time written. If I have the money that is how I will continue to visit.

 

[ArielRae]

Just wanted to let everyone know that though I was Declined by Universal for their pass for having a bathroom issue after their call to me. I did get my IBCCES pass from the company we had to register with. It doesn’t say temporary anymore. It says Current and I have a credential # and a case reference #. So they granted me my pass but Universal did not for their park.

 

[lanejudy]

I did get my IBCCES pass from the company we had to register with. ... So they granted me my pass but Universal did not for their park.

That is an important distinction to make. IBCCES may approve the submitted documentation -- which essentially says "yes, this person has a documented disability." That is the IBCCES card.

HOWEVER, it is still up to the individual theme park to decide how they accommodate that disability. In your situation, UO has said they don't offer the AAP (or whatever version of Express Pass is being given for disabilities now) to accommodate your needs. A different theme park using this system may offer you accommodation.

It's now a 2-tiered approval process to get accommodation.

 

[bambialways4ever]

It's so bizarre that theme parks have been recommending this so much lately. Even if the difficulty of other guests thinking you're trying to cut the line didn't exist, and even if it wasn't sometimes physically difficult to squeeze back through to your party, the fact that you have other people in your party doesn't mean that the entire party is always going to ride every single ride together.

If Dick and Jane are at the park together, Dick has a bad back, and Jane has sudden bathroom emergencies, does that mean Jane isn't allowed to ride the roller coasters Dick isn't able to? Does it mean that Dick has to stand in line for something he isn't going to ride just on the off chance Jane will have an emergency and need him to save her place?

It's like they haven't thought through how something that might sound good on paper often doesn't work in real life.

I also think about peoole who may have bathroom needs and something like an ostomy bag or g tube.

I've heard of people literally getting into physical fights over line cutters, how can it be safe for someone with precarious medical equipment attached to their body to "squeeze" through the line and risk a physical altercation that could damage their equipment?

 

[bambialways4ever]

That is an important distinction to make. IBCCES may approve the submitted documentation -- which essentially says "yes, this person has a documented disability." That is the IBCCES card.

HOWEVER, it is still up to the individual theme park to decide how they accommodate that disability. In your situation, UO has said they don't offer the AAP (or whatever version of Express Pass is being given for disabilities now) to accommodate your needs. A different theme park using this system may offer you accommodation.

It's now a 2-tiered approval process to get accommodation.

Because the thing disabled people or parents of disabled people need most is multi tiered layers of effort to get accommodations.

Because clearly disabled people or parents of disabled people just have so much extra time on their hands for this sort of thing...

 

[EveDallas]

I checked and my son's card has been approved for the year. Nothing from Universal yet but our trip is a month away so there's time.

 

[leiaorgana]

The whole “have someone else hold your place in line thing” doesn’t even make logical sense for a lot of attractions at Universal since a good chunk of their rides have annoying preshows that can’t be skipped so what happens if people’s bathroom related issues come on after that? Are they going to force you to go through the preshow again or will staff escort you around it? If you’re in standby for Men in Black or Gringotts and you’ve already gone through the lift sequence but need to go after that will staff take you around a back way so you can get back to your party? What if you’re travelling solo? Honestly, I’m truly disgusted that this is Universal’s response to a very real condition that impacts people’s entire lives. It’s not just “oh I need the bathroom urgently”, people that have those issues have to plan and alter their entire lives around it and I’m definitely side-eyeing Universal over this. It’s such a degrading response and I doubt their Team Members will be adequately trained to deal with it and the distress it causes people who suffer with those conditions.

 

[starlite_]

I wonder if offering to let ppl join thru the exit like wheelchair users do at Disney would work better than asking ppl to "cut" thru the line. Just a thought, don't come for me if it's dumb

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

If we start with the premise that Disney wants to cut down on DAS usage for whatever reason, I can kind of understand why they are choosing to limit bathroom concerns. To be clear I’m not trying to minimize anyone’s individual needs here nor am I saying that anyone is undeserving. But if management has to prioritize how they distribute passes, it doesn’t surprise me that they would pick an invisible disability. Further, perhaps in their mind someone can either wear an adult diaper or leave and return if s/he doesn’t want to so there are more options for them vs other disabilities. It may also speak to how many people are requesting accommodations due to bathroom concerns.

I wonder how the DIS community would choose to cut down DAS usage instead. Or put differently, are there changed that can be made so that more people can use the traditional standby line to meet their individual needs?

 

[OurBigTrip]

Sure hope universal will refund tickets if they do not approve for people with bathroom issues. IBS, Chrone etc can be debilitating. Husband just stated he will never even consider going to Universal again if there response is to just leave the line and try to get back inline. Guess his disability almost killing him, septic shock, coma etc is not enough.

I agree that the idea of leaving the line and coming back doesn’t make much sense. But as for your last line, while that has to have been an awful experience for your entire family, it is irrelevant to accommodations.

 

[OurBigTrip]

If we start with the premise that Disney wants to cut down on DAS usage for whatever reason, I can kind of understand why they are choosing to limit bathroom concerns. To be clear I’m not trying to minimize anyone’s individual needs here nor am I saying that anyone is undeserving. But if management has to prioritize how they distribute passes, it doesn’t surprise me that they would pick an invisible disability. Further, perhaps in their mind someone can either wear an adult diaper or leave and return if s/he doesn’t want to so there are more options for them vs other disabilities. It may also speak to how many people are requesting accommodations due to bathroom concerns.

I wonder how the DIS community would choose to cut down DAS usage instead. Or put differently, are there changed that can be made so that more people can use the traditional standby line to meet their individual needs?

That’s a great question.

I think as another poster mentioned,if they’re making people leave the line to use the restroom, then perhaps let them back through an exit then let them board with their party.

Being really strict on mobility and fatigue issues - if someone says they can’t stand for a long time and can’t sit for a long time, then pushing a wheelchair until they need to sit for a few minutes or using a rollator could work.

Focusing on accommodating disabilities as defined by the ADA, which admittedly would take a third party knowledgeable in that area.

“An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.”

There is a big difference between discomfort and actual limitations as defined by the ADA…it’s the difference between making something possible and making something easier .

JMO

 

[Disneychick13]

If we start with the premise that Disney wants to cut down on DAS usage for whatever reason, I can kind of understand why they are choosing to limit bathroom concerns. To be clear I’m not trying to minimize anyone’s individual needs here nor am I saying that anyone is undeserving. But if management has to prioritize how they distribute passes, it doesn’t surprise me that they would pick an invisible disability. Further, perhaps in their mind someone can either wear an adult diaper or leave and return if s/he doesn’t want to so there are more options for them vs other disabilities. It may also speak to how many people are requesting accommodations due to bathroom concerns.

I wonder how the DIS community would choose to cut down DAS usage instead. Or put differently, are there changed that can be made so that more people can use the traditional standby line to meet their individual needs?

Well, Disney has announced no changes to their current system so there’s that. And I don’t think that Universal wants to cut down on their version of the DAS usage, I think they want to cut back on fraudulent use. Requiring a dr’s note or an IEP will not remotely eliminate that but it will cut back on it.

As far as bathroom issues and having to leave the line, since every single line I’m ever in they have people coming through the line (for whatever reason), I don’t really see how this is a huge issue unless you are a single traveler. (this is coming from someone who does have issues with both urge and stress incontinence that I have to manage wherever I am). I do like the idea of having a way to get back in the line expeditiously (but that’s for anyone, even small kids that just can’t make it to the end of the line).

That’s a great question.

I think as another poster mentioned,if they’re making people leave the line to use the restroom, then perhaps let them back through an exit then let them board with their party.

Being really strict on mobility and fatigue issues - if someone says they can’t stand for a long time and can’t sit for a long time, then pushing a wheelchair until they need to sit for a few minutes or using a rollator could work.

Focusing on accommodating disabilities as defined by the ADA, which admittedly would take a third party knowledgeable in that area.

“An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.”

There is a big difference between discomfort and actual limitations as defined by the ADA…it’s the difference between making something possible and making something easier .

JMO

Yes, yes and yes.

 

[Jnjtrio]

Well, Disney has announced no changes to their current system so there’s that. And I don’t think that Universal wants to cut down on their version of the DAS usage, I think they want to cut back on fraudulent use. Requiring a dr’s note or an IEP will not remotely eliminate that but it will cut back on it.

As far as bathroom issues and having to leave the line, since every single line I’m ever in they have people coming through the line (for whatever reason), I don’t really see how this is a huge issue unless you are a single traveler. (this is coming from someone who does have issues with both urge and stress incontinence that I have to manage wherever I am). I do like the idea of having a way to get back in the line expeditiously (but that’s for anyone, even small kids that just can’t make it to the end of the line).



Yes, yes and yes.

The anxiety alone of having to go back through the line possibly several times in a day, will stop my husband from ever entering a park if these are set. You go to Disney with family and friends to spend time with them. My husband is most comfortable only going with me because he knows I will change plans anytime of day. He hates knowing he is letting down those around him, it took me years to convince him to try Disney. We added a couple of days to Universal on a previous trip, that will not happen again if they say he does not qualify. We can afford to stay and get express passes but we will not if this is the policy, our choice.
We have paid for ILL and have had to leave those lines, and have had struggles with CMs helping us get a new time. This is not just oh make it to the bathroom and you are okay. My husband can be weak, nauseated and shaky if he has a sudden attack. We have had to take a break or leave the park, but knowing we could easily try again with DAS gave him peace of mind.

 

[leiaorgana]

People saying it's easy to just get back through the line have clearly never had altercations with the Karens and Kyles of the world that think you're just cutting or trying it on. You shouldn't have to worry you're potentially going to get in a verbal or physical altercation because of something you can't control and that's why I'm so disappointed in Universal that they're willing to put their paying guests through this.