WDW -Disability Access Service (DAS) - ARCHIVED THREAD; no longer vslid

[SueM in MN]

Please forgive me if this is a repeat question.
Is there guest relations for a DAS in DTD? Hoping to "take care of business" well outside of the parks prior to our first full day. I do realize we can go to GR outside of the entrance to the parks, but was hoping to spend our first day getting our groceries done and then visiting DTD. Thanks for the info.

No.
Guest Relations at Downtown Disney can't issue DAS cards.
You need to be at one of the 4 theme parks to request a DAS card.
Sounds like you already know there are GR outside the entrance to each park.
If you need more exact locations of where those are, they are listed in post 1 of this thread, along with other FAQs about DAS.

 

[SueM in MN]

Anyone know how Hollywood Studios in handling DAS. I really don't want them to give me a hard time or just tell me to rent a wheelchair because that won't help me as I can't sit for long periods of time and I can't stand still for long periods of time either. I really have to keep moving. I don't even stay still in my sleep .

All the parks are using the same guidelines listed in post one of this thread.

If a wheelchair will not meet your needs, it's up to you to explain what additions needs are not met by using a wheelchair.

That said, using a mobility device in line is the only way to get a seat, some of the Fastpass lines may require standing in one place while waiting and there is a list of attractions on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs (near the top of this board) that include a standing wait for everyone.

 

[Tink575]

After much soul searching we are going down Dec 2 - 18. We were there when the DAS started in Oct as well. I did get a card, after much hassle, when you are visually impaired that is all they see/ listen to. The worst experience was at GR outside DHS and yes I did report it!

That said, does the whole procedure start over when renewing a card? If so I may just not even bother and save my blood pressure, we can look at holiday decorations at the resorts and go to Universal..

 

[lovethattink]

After much soul searching we are going down Dec 2 - 18. We were there when the DAS started in Oct as well. I did get a card, after much hassle, when you are visually impaired that is all they see/ listen to. The worst experience was at GR outside DHS and yes I did report it!

That said, does the whole procedure start over when renewing a card? If so I may just not even bother and save my blood pressure, we can look at holiday decorations at the resorts and go to Universal..

Yes, twice my son's has been renewed. It was a very simple process for him. All information transferred to the new card, except the picture. Each time a new picture needed to be taken.

 

[SueM in MN]

After much soul searching we are going down Dec 2 - 18. We were there when the DAS started in Oct as well. I did get a card, after much hassle, when you are visually impaired that is all they see/ listen to. The worst experience was at GR outside DHS and yes I did report it!

That said, does the whole procedure start over when renewing a card? If so I may just not even bother and save my blood pressure, we can look at holiday decorations at the resorts and go to Universal..

There was no record kept in the old GAC process.

The DAS cards have a number, specific to that person, assigned to that card. They also have a QR Code on the card that can be read (or eventually will be able to be read - that part was not ready the last I heard).

So, once you have had a DAS card, there us a record to access about your needs, which makes the renewal process much easier

 

[sharadoc]

We just had a GS CM at Epcot give us completely wrong information about how/where DAS is used. I am not sure they are all "up to speed" yet.

Does that mean they didn't issue one, or told you to go somewhere else?

 

[lovethattink]

I did call and was told the agency should send more escorts But I also emailed and they replied and said I would be contacted in a week or 2 !! I do think that knowing ahead of time next year will be easier as I would make dining ressie more carefully and have a better idea of what FP+ times would work for us . Also will pay close attention to Crowd Calendar in the planning . I am sure Disney will have fine tuned the system by then and made some accomadations

Not exactly the answer you were hoping for when you called. Hopefully things will get figured out. Crowd levels, temperature, times of day, all make big differences.

 

[Schmeck]

Anyone know how Hollywood Studios in handling DAS. I really don't want them to give me a hard time or just tell me to rent a wheelchair because that won't help me as I can't sit for long periods of time and I can't stand still for long periods of time either. I really have to keep moving. I don't even stay still in my sleep .

I'd rethink the wheelchair - you don't have to sit in it all the time. You could push it when you needed to walk, sit in it when you needed to sit. You don't have to be in it for the entire time, but you would have a guaranteed place to sit if you needed one.

 

[1girln3boys]

I'd rethink the wheelchair - you don't have to sit in it all the time. You could push it when you needed to walk, sit in it when you needed to sit. You don't have to be in it for the entire time, but you would have a guaranteed place to sit if you needed one.

But I don't need to sit. I need to move. It's my legs that hurt even when sitting. Believe me you don't want to sit next to me in theater I don't sit still. So when standing in line I would be adjust my legs and moving a lot. Crossing them over, bouncing them up and down and just what ever it takes. And sitting makes my back hurt. Like right now sitting in the car waiting for my daughter my back is hurting. I'm in constant pain. It's no fun. So with a DAS I can get a return time. If I could use FP then that's what I would do but that's not an option any more. Wish it was .

 

[disney david]

But I don't need to sit. I need to move. It's my legs that hurt even when sitting. Believe me you don't want to sit next to me in theater I don't sit still. So when standing in line I would be adjust my legs and moving a lot. Crossing them over, bouncing them up and down and just what ever it takes. And sitting makes my back hurt. Like right now sitting in the car waiting for my daughter my back is hurting. I'm in constant pain. It's no fun. So with a DAS I can get a return time. If I could use FP then that's what I would do but that's not an option any more. Wish it was .

If you can't sit and it hurts to sit and it better to stand why you need a das what other needs that a das might meet would you need one.

 

[1girln3boys]

If you can't sit and it hurts to sit and it better to stand why you need a das what other needs that a das might meet would you need one.

Because of staying still standing in line and being in 1 place for a long period of time my legs would hurt. The line moves to slowly for to long of a time and I would be in pain. With a return time I could move through the line longer and then move on.

 

[Schmeck]

But I don't need to sit. I need to move. It's my legs that hurt even when sitting. Believe me you don't want to sit next to me in theater I don't sit still. So when standing in line I would be adjust my legs and moving a lot. Crossing them over, bouncing them up and down and just what ever it takes. And sitting makes my back hurt. Like right now sitting in the car waiting for my daughter my back is hurting. I'm in constant pain. It's no fun. So with a DAS I can get a return time. If I could use FP then that's what I would do but that's not an option any more. Wish it was .

So what are you expecting to do while you wait for the DAS return time that you couldn't do in the queue? You'll need a very clear reason/explanation to give to the CM. People can do all that you just explained in the queue. Also, most queues are in constant motion, so no standing still, except for shows.

 

[SueM in MN]

But I don't need to sit. I need to move. It's my legs that hurt even when sitting. Believe me you don't want to sit next to me in theater I don't sit still. So when standing in line I would be adjust my legs and moving a lot. Crossing them over, bouncing them up and down and just what ever it takes. And sitting makes my back hurt. Like right now sitting in the car waiting for my daughter my back is hurting. I'm in constant pain. It's no fun. So with a DAS I can get a return time. If I could use FP then that's what I would do but that's not an option any more. Wish it was .

if you get a DAS Card, the CM in Guest Relations will explain that it is meant to be used along with Fastpass.
Not sure why you are thinking Fastpass is no longer an option.

 

[cmwade77]

I'd rethink the wheelchair - you don't have to sit in it all the time. You could push it when you needed to walk, sit in it when you needed to sit. You don't have to be in it for the entire time, but you would have a guaranteed place to sit if you needed one.

A few comments about this from someone who has had to simply bring an empty chair to someone:

• With no weight, it often tips back
• I once had different security CMs stop me a total of 5 times in about 500 feet. Asking if it's my chair, if the person I was taking it to needed first aid, etc.
• People tend not see wheelchairs with someone in them and they really don't see them when they are empty.
• On the occasion that someone does notice the empty chair, they will either make EXTREMELY rude comments or run and jump into the chair (yes, while it is moving and yes, I had this happen)
• Depending on your height, it can mean you are contantly bent over for a majority of the trip.

Like I said, all of these things happened in a very short distance (500 feet or less) and all in one incident (aside from needing to be bent over for the entire trip of course).

I am not saying that a wheelchair is not the right course, but that these factors need to be taken into consideration when people just say use a wheelchair, there are situations where a wheelchair would normally help, but due to issues like these make it an impractical solution for some people.

 

[mmbl]

I'd rethink the wheelchair - you don't have to sit in it all the time. You could push it when you needed to walk, sit in it when you needed to sit. You don't have to be in it for the entire time, but you would have a guaranteed place to sit if you needed one.

My DH went to get a card , we have had the GAC; disabilities are bit readily apparent but he gave her a quick run down and the CM at MK kept telling my DH to get a w/c or ECV when he clearly didn't need one! After her being pretty insistent, I finally said "w/c and ECV should be a last resort; he simply can't run to make the hour time frame on the FP sometimes; are you not going to give him the disability card?" She finally backed down, realizing if he had the w/c, she'd have to give him the card anyway. I was ready to call a supervisor. She had a lot of nerve suggesting how he handle his disability. Most people prefer the least restrictive alternative and for him, that means simply not running! With the DAS card, it pretty much worked like the old fast pass when you got a return time but could then get there anytime after the time listed. You can only have one attraction 'active' at a time, but that's fine with us~ at least we aren't running!

 

[Wishes Count]

She finally backed down, realizing if he had the w/c, she'd have to give him the card anyway. I was ready to call a supervisor. She had a lot of nerve suggesting how he handle his disability.

Actually, a card is not needed at all for those utilizing a wheelchair/ECV for mobility concerns. So even if he had the wheelchair he wouldn't have automatically gotten the card.

I see a lot of frustrations from guests when asking what type of assistance they need. As it has been said on here many times over saying "I can't stand in line", "I can't wait in line" is not enough to get you a card. Some CM's may probe further, but the immediate response for I can't stand/walk is that can be accommodated by a wheelchair or ECV, as those are mobility concerns. And the DAS is not issued for mobility.

If you have other concerns you must explain those as well. Now I didn't read if you posted what your DH condition was and this isn't directed at you, more general. But I know from my experience on the other end that guests do not always share all the information outright. And like I said some CMs may ask follow up questions other may simply take your first answer of 'I can't stand" and direct you to FP and the courtesy wheelchairs at the attractions

 

[Aljo]

A friend who just called Disney (she's going in a few weeks, and is going through chemo) has been told as of Nov 1 GAC cards have been discontinued. i find this hard to believe as the new system was just implemented recently, anyone know about this?

thanks so much!

 

[keishashadow]

There was no record kept in the old GAC process.

The DAS cards have a number, specific to that person, assigned to that card. They also have a QR Code on the card that can be read (or eventually will be able to be read - that part was not ready the last I heard).

So, once you have had a DAS card, there us a record to access about your needs, which makes the renewal process much easier

We were told to bring the card issued in October back for next trip (Jan '14) and that as long as nothing had changed as to medical condition(s) the overall process would be shorter.

As with the old GAC, I assume a 2nd card will need to be issued, along with a new picture and cursory verification of information already provided. We only had two people in our party the 1st time but a total of 5 people will be in our group in January so we'd have to update it anyway.

 

[Rowanonfire]

I didn't think it was "the DAS is NOT issued for mobility" I thought it was simply "The DAS is not issued for mobility problems that can be solved by a wheelchair or ECV."

I understand entirely what the post a few above is saying as I have the exact same issues. Sitting or standing, including very slow walking, for an extended period of time is a NIGHTMARE. The only difference with me is, I DO have a mobility device. But that's because sometimes I have no choice but to use it in places like themeparks as my legs simply give up. However, me and my doctors both know that sitting in a wheelchair only makes my condition worse and I'm meant avoid using it whenever I possible can as my muscles stiffen.

I'll probably ask for a DAS. What do I expect it to help with? It will allow me to keep moving as I need to and stop me from becoming immobile. If I tell GR that a wheelchair will make my condition worse and they honestly refuse to give me any other help then honestly I'd be really disappointed in Disney.

 

[SueM in MN]

A friend who just called Disney (she's going in a few weeks, and is going through chemo) has been told as of Nov 1 GAC cards have been discontinued. i find this hard to believe as the new system was just implemented recently, anyone know about this?

thanks so much!

Your friend is confused.....
or the CM she talked to was confused about what she was asking.

GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) were discontinued on October 8, 2013.

The new program DAS (Disability Access Service) began on October 9, 2013.
The FAQs about DAS cards is post one of this thread and is accurate.
We just came back from WDW on November 9. My youngest daughter had a DAS card and we used it last on November 8. It worked just the way it is outlined in post 1 of this thread.
I can tell you for sure that it is not discontinued.

Some people thought GACs ( and now, DAS Cards) were/are given for certain diagnosis. That is not and was not ever the case. What is important is the needs the person has related to their disability, not their diagnosis.

My guess is that your friend may have asked about GACs for 'cancer' or 'chemo' and was told been told GACs were discontinued and that there was not a card for cancer or chemo.