Using a lift at WDW resorts

[wisbucky]

I am wondering if any of you have had to use a lift to transfer someone one from a wheelchair to a bed? My cousin is coming with us in October and he needs to use a lift when tranferring to the bed. We have one problem. The only resort that has beds open underneath to accomodate the lift is OKW. So we are on a wait list to get in. Has anyone known if maintance can remove a board under the bed that makes up the box portion. We possibly could get a room at SSR or BWV but the beds having a box underneath are a problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

Anyone know?

My guess is that the boards are part of a platform that actually makes up the bed (so they are part of the support structure and can't be removed). That's the way my DD's bed is made.

Are you sure that the beds in the handicapped/wheelchair accessible rooms are the same? It's possible that they are not.

 

[wisbucky]

Sue I did ask about that and got the answer that the beds are all the same. And as I kept trying to ask if someone could check it out, I kept getting told they were all the same.

 

[dclfun]

I've seen hoyer lifts being delivered at GRFL. There would have been space under our bed at the All Stars to place a hoyer lift also. I will be staying at several resorts during the next few months and will personally check them out. ---Kathy

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I am wondering if any of you have had to use a lift to transfer someone one from a wheelchair to a bed? My cousin is coming with us in October and he needs to use a lift when tranferring to the bed. We have one problem. The only resort that has beds open underneath to accomodate the lift is OKW. So we are on a wait list to get in. Has anyone known if maintance can remove a board under the bed that makes up the box portion. We possibly could get a room at SSR or BWV but the beds having a box underneath are a problem.

I cannot believe that maintenance will not be able to find some timber blocks to lift the bed enough to slide the feet of a hoist underneath.

I assume you will be phoning an off-site rental company to obtain the hoist. Ask them. They will have rented hoists to Disney guests enough times to know if there will be any problems.

Andrew

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue I did ask about that and got the answer that the beds are all the same. And as I kept trying to ask if someone could check it out, I kept getting told they were all the same.

That's another one of those frustrating things.
It would be so easy for WDW to set up some website pages with things like floor plans of the rooms (with measurements of everything) and specifics like exact height of the beds and room underneath the beds. Those things can sometimes make a difference between someone being able to go or not.

If anyone knows/finds out measurements, let me know and I will figure out a way to add it to the FAQs thread.

Andrew's suggestion about asking the places that rent lifts is a good idea.
Care Medical is one of the places that rents lifts. Medical Travel also rents lifts.

 

[wisbucky]

When I phoned about the space under the beds I was told that the beds have a box frame and are BOLTED to the floor. Believe me we thought about bringing our own blocks and raising the bed up but obviously that is now out of the question. My aunt and uncle were going to bring their own hoist. Some of the rental ones that they checked into were portable ones that were so compact that my cousin was being struck in the head by the metal bar.

But I will ake some calls to those companies and see what they say.

WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE SO DIFFICULT FOR A SIMPLE TRIP TO WDW????

 

[Andrew Bichard]

That's another one of those frustrating things.
It would be so easy for WDW to set up some website pages with things like floor plans of the rooms (with measurements of everything) and specifics like exact height of the beds and room underneath the beds. Those things can sometimes make a difference between someone being able to go or not.

I would second that.

Also important is the 'hand' of the bathrooms. I find transfers to a toilet on my left easier than my right because I then don't have to lift out the armrest with all the controls of my powerchair attached.

They should also publish the height of the WC rim to the floor so we can bring an appropriate height booster seat.

Hand is also important for stroke victims. They may only have one 'good' side and will need the grabrail that side.


Andrew

 

[SueM in MN]

I would second that.

Also important is the 'hand' of the bathrooms. I find transfers to a toilet on my left easier than my right because I then don't have to lift out the armrest with all the controls of my powerchair attached.

They should also publish the height of the WC rim to the floor so we can bring an appropriate height booster seat.

Hand is also important for stroke victims. They may only have one 'good' side and will need the grabrail that side.


Andrew

Very true. And since so many rooms at WDW are mirror images of each other, you could easily find that the room you get does not work, but the mirror image one would.
I will start a database with that sort of information in it if anyone has any to share. Please share the things you need to know and I'll come up with a questionnaire.
Some of the things we need besides what Andrew wrote would be whether there is even room next to the toilet to transfer (and how much room) or whether the only place to park a wheelchair is in front of the toilet. Same thing for bathtubs and roll in showers. The one in the room we stayed in March would have all the controls in front of you if you can transfer to the right to get into the roll in shower.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe the OP can ask on the Resorts board? For that matter, wouldn't Port Orleans Riverside Alligator Bayou rooms HAVE to have space under at least one bed in each room for the base of the lift? I mean, the trundle beds don't take up the whole space underneath that bed....

 

[SueM in MN]

Maybe the OP can ask on the Resorts board? For that matter, wouldn't Port Orleans Riverside Alligator Bayou rooms HAVE to have space under at least one bed in each room for the base of the lift? I mean, the trundle beds don't take up the whole space underneath that bed....

Thats' a good idea - or the DVC board since the OP looks like they are looking at DVC resorts.
Maybe someone who is there now or going soon can check.

 

[wisbucky]

I think I will call WDW and find out if someone there can do a tad bit of research on beds at each resort. We are DVC members and therefore we obviously wanted to book a 2bedroom at one the DVC resorts. I find this totally unbelievable that Disney does not have handicap rooms to accommodate just about every type of obstacle and disability that may come up. For example one of the first things I would think about it having a very large bathroom for those with wheelchairs to maneuver and transfer. Secondly why wouldn’t Disney have rooms with remotes (on the wall) where lights, shades etc would operate? I don’t expect Disney to make handicap rooms that are extravagant but they certainly could of put a little more effort into the design.

 

[BillSears]

I was thinking about this thread and remembered that POR has trundle beds that fit under the normal bed in some rooms.

Maybe they can remove the trundle bed and you'd have enough room to slide the lift under the bed?

 

[Schmeck]

That's another one of those frustrating things.
It would be so easy for WDW to set up some website pages with things like floor plans of the rooms (with measurements of everything) and specifics like exact height of the beds and room underneath the beds. Those things can sometimes make a difference between someone being able to go or not.

If anyone knows/finds out measurements, let me know and I will figure out a way to add it to the FAQs thread.

Andrew's suggestion about asking the places that rent lifts is a good idea.
Care Medical is one of the places that rents lifts. Medical Travel also rents lifts.

If WDW had an official webpage (considered a publication) on room set-up, and there was some type of error on the measurements or somesuch, then WDW would be liable, wouldn't they? I don't think they'd want to be placed in that position. I think an unofficial one done here would be a great idea! I know someone who makes several trips each year, and he could probably take some measurements for you.

 

[SueM in MN]

If WDW had an official webpage (considered a publication) on room set-up, and there was some type of error on the measurements or somesuch, then WDW would be liable, wouldn't they? I don't think they'd want to be placed in that position. I think an unofficial one done here would be a great idea! I know someone who makes several trips each year, and he could probably take some measurements for you.

Thanks for the possible 'measurer'.

I don't see that WDW would have any more liability by having the measurements on a webpage than they have now. They do tell people things that may or may not turn out to be true. I'm sure they could think up some language that would protect them.

 

[videogal1]

Thanks for the possible 'measurer'.

I don't see that WDW would have any more liability by having the measurements on a webpage than they have now. They do tell people things that may or may not turn out to be true. I'm sure they could think up some language that would protect them.

Considerirg that Disney charges full price for its cruises whether you are disabled or not and then make no effort to make the excursions that are available to all other passengers equally available to passengers with disabilities and has even on occasion stated that their excursions are accessible when they are not I too doubt that the Mouse is worried about liability as discussed here...

 

[Schmeck]

There's a big difference in getting a verbal quote, and getting something in print. As we have all learned, ask 20 CMs a question, get 20 different answers. When it's in writing, it has to be that way, or Disney is liable.

Was the OP able to find a solution? How about renting a hospital bed and lift for the stay? Would that be allowed at WDW?

 

[Talking Hands]

Considerirg that Disney charges full price for its cruises whether you are disabled or not and then make no effort to make the excursions that are available to all other passengers equally available to passengers with disabilities and has even on occasion stated that their excursions are accessible when they are not I too doubt that the Mouse is worried about liability as discussed here...

You are paying full price for the cruise not the excursions. The excursions take place in foreign countries (except Key West) and there is no requirement for them to be accessible. They do make all activities on the ship accessible.