What’s it take to get a reply? Disability…

[AvonPooh]

I have sent three emails now to the disability team to get answers about what they need from my doctor. I will be in a wheelchair due to a dvt and an ankle boot due due to severe ankle/foot injuries and must keep my leg elevated as much as possible. I have sent multiple messages and it’s been almost 2 weeks now with no reply. Should I just call? We leave early June. I have never had to do Disney this way before so I have several questions. How long is the wait normally to hear back?

 

[lanejudy]

Generally speaking, WDW doesn't need any documentation for disability accommodations. What is it you need? The vast majority of attraction queues are wheelchair accessible, and the few that aren't will direct you appropriately.

The disABILITIES FAQ thread may have some helpful information.

 

[AvonPooh]

The biggest thing is my leg stays elevated as much as possible and have great difficulty standing for any length of time such as, one of my questions was about the hotel and shower accessibility in the form of a transfer bench or shower seat. I understand that I can use my wheelchair right up to most of the rides and transfer and such. Basically I’m just trying to learn how to maneuver the parks and resort areas and the services that would be available to make things easier in a manual chair with an elevated leg. I really just thought someone would reply to an email (or 3) within a two week period of time.

 

[lanejudy]

You can put a request on your reservation for a shower chair/transfer bench. There's no guarantee of what style is available; if it matters you might consider renting - try Orlando Medical Rentals.

As for in the parks... like I mentioned most queues are accessible to your wheelchair. Keeping the leg elevated may be difficult on most ride vehicles, but if it's allowed to bend your knee and let the foot down you should be good. If the leg must remain straight and elevated, that will be more limiting with regards to rides. No particular restrictions for the boot, but some ride vehicles may be tight for foot space.

Hopefully others who have done WDW with a boot and/or elevated leg can share their experiences.

 

[Her Dotness]

I'm guessing you didn't book an accessible room?

Would be advisable to check availability of one to see if you can modify your reservation. Those will have bars around the toilet and in the tub surround which will make transferring much easier. Also, the ones with a tub typically have either a built-in or portable bench.

If none is available, you can try a room request for bars in the bathroom as some rooms not designated accessible have a few.

Also, upon arriving, call housekeeping to ask if they have a portable toilet frame or seat riser with bars should you feel those would help. They may also have a shower bench but be sure to specify if you need one for Pooh-sized individuals.

Disney does not provide any accommodations for mobility issues other than accessible rooms and existing attraction accommodations, so don't concern yourself about providing doctor information. That won't get you any additional aids. Determining what mobility aids would be helpful or needed and asking housekeeping what they have or renting what you'll need is your responsibility.

Your doctor, an occupational or physical therapist you may be working with can advise you what aids are most likely to be helpful if you're not sure what you may need.

 

[SueM in MN]

The biggest thing is my leg stays elevated as much as possible and have great difficulty standing for any length of time such as, one of my questions was about the hotel and shower accessibility in the form of a transfer bench or shower seat. I understand that I can use my wheelchair right up to most of the rides and transfer and such. Basically I’m just trying to learn how to maneuver the parks and resort areas and the services that would be available to make things easier in a manual chair with an elevated leg. I really just thought someone would reply to an email (or 3) within a two week period of time.

What are your questions about a transfer bench or shower seat? Do you want to know if the resorts have them available?
If so, you best bet is actually to rent one from one of the off-site companies. You MAY be able to get one from your resort, but one from an off-site medical company will likely be in better condition. Beside Orlando Medical Rentals mentioned by lanejudy, Disney World recently announced a partnership with Advent Health for expanded services, including Concierge Service for things like obtaining equipment. I’d try contacting them.
If you reserved a room with a roll in shower, they do have a built in shower seat, usually a fold down seat. If you don’t have one reserved, you might still be able to change your reservation.

WDW’s website has a basic page of mobility information, including which attractions require a transfer.
Some attractions have wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). We use them for our daughter because she is not able to walk or stand. I can tell you from personal experience that the majority of them would not be able to accommodate an extended leg.
I believe lanejudy already shared a link to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. The first post in that thread has a index to which post in the thread has which information.

if you have specific questions you want to post, we can try to answer.

 

[SteveMouse]

Disney doss usually provide information regarding whether a kind of tool may be available, such the general availability of a shower chair. It does not usually provide medical advice or guidance regarding how to use a particular tool or resource.

They have also been slow to respond to many questions. I’d asked about accessibility and the Halcyon and it took about 6 weeks for a response.

As LaneJudy shared, a request for a shower chair can be noted in your reservation. If you need an accessible room, you need a reservation for that room type. There are several specific bookable categories, including rooms with roll-in showers and rooms with shower/tub combos with grab bars. Sometimes, they are sold out of those room types.

Keeping your leg elevated on most rides will be difficult, if not impossible, as ride vehicles are simply not designed for people riding in that position. You may have an easier time trying to fit if you are small/petite. If you are tall, it will be much more difficult.

You will also need to be cognizant of other people and their lack of attention. People in wheelchairs tend to disappear from others’ vision. You should, unfortunately, expect to be walked into multiple times and people will regularly cut across your path.

If you are being pushed by another member of your party, they will likely benefit from gloves. If you try to sell-power. it takes quite a lot of energy. Most standard wheelchairs really aren‘t well designed for self-propulsion.

You can note that you are a wheelchair user in ADRs. It doesn’t change the speed at which you‘re seated, but can help the dining team in getting a table that may be easier for you to get to.

You will wait in queue for buses. When it looks like you will be boarded onto the next bus, you should go to the marked square at theme parks or towards where you expect that back door of the bus will be as wheelchair/ecv users are boarded first. The driver will direct you where to position your chair. Generally speaking, five members of your party can board the bus with you through the back door.

Some rides (see the recent/concurrent thread) will issue return times for wheelchair users rather than requiring you to wait in line. The cast member at the ride entrance will direct you, as appropriate.

Park maps indicate what attractions require a transfer from wheelchairs and what rides do not require transfers. Generally speaking, a wheelchair (including your extended/elevated leg) must fit inside a 48 inch long box to be accommodated on a ride.

Do be cognizant of ride advisories regarding any jerking or other issues. Please follow your doctor’s advice.

Safe travels!

 

[SueM in MN]

As was already mentioned, the services available for mobility related needs aren’t things you need anything from your doctor for.

All the WDW transportation is wheelchair accessible and should be even with your leg extended, other than the small boats that serve some of MK area resorts.

If you will have your own transportation and plan on driving, I would suggest contacting your doctor to apply for a temporary handicapped parking permit. The permit application is online in many states or your doctor may be able to fill one out and send it in easily.

With a handicapped parking permit, you can park at your WDW resort without paying the resort parking fee; show the permit to the front desk (and double check your bill before checking out to make sure you were not charged.

A handicapped parking permit also allows you to park in the ‘Medical Parking’ at the parks. If you arrive later in the day, the designated handicapped spots may be full and you may be directed to the ‘Medical Overflow’. Guests who don‘t have a state issued handicapped parking permit can be ticketed if they park in the blue marked spots.
If you can‘t get a permit processed in time, tell the CMs at the parking areas that you have a wheelchair, but don’t have a permit; they will direct you to park in the Medical Overflow.

 

[AvonPooh]

This is a lot of great information. I should clarify that I can bend my leg down for short amounts of time, like enough for a ride of a few minutes, (just as long as it is not a 45 boat trip lol) so I should fit in for most rides. I also am on a blood thinner for the dvt so I will make note of the jerking rides and be safe on choices. I will make notes about the shower chair on my hotel reservation. I did not pick an ada room originally and was told that as long as I could transfer to the toilet and shower, that would be the only reason I would need such accommodations. I sit in the shower here at my house as I cannot stand for that long so I will need something for sure. I will also add the wheelchair my dining reservations. I did not even think about that. You all have answered a lot for me. Thank you!!!! If disability services does gets back to me, I will bring all this up but I think I can do it without them at this point

 

[SteveMouse]

Remember that, while unlikely, you might find yourself on a ride vehicle for longer then you intended if there were an equipment breakdown.

 

[SueM in MN]

Post 31 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread might be very helpful to you.
It has information about riding with a long leg cast, which would be fairly similar to your situatio.
i just added a few updates from my family’s recent trip.

 

[ttintagel]

The others here have covered most everything. Only thing I can think to add is that you may want to bring a cane to help get down into low boats (Pirates, Living with the Land, etc.)

 

[Betty Rohrer]

The others here have covered most everything. Only thing I can think to add is that you may want to bring a cane to help get down into low boats (Pirates, Living with the Land, etc.)

and also out of said boats

 

[SueM in MN]

Posts 18-22 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has info about attractions - which are hard to get in and out, etc.

 

[AvonPooh]

One more question: the ankle walking boot. Am I going to have trouble in security at the airport? I’m assuming they will scan the boot somehow? I will be in the boot and have crutches, possibly a wheelchair bringing me to the gate provided by the airline. I just feel like that’s a lot to go through security. Just wondering what to expect.

 

[SueM in MN]

One more question: the ankle walking boot. Am I going to have trouble in security at the airport? I’m assuming they will scan the boot somehow? I will be in the boot and have crutches, possibly a wheelchair bringing me to the gate provided by the airline. I just feel like that’s a lot to go through security. Just wondering what to expect.

Scroll down this TSA page a bit to the part about cast, medical braces, prosthetics. It has pretty specific information, which does depend on whether you can take to boot off for screening, what type of screening device they have at your airport. Crutches can go thru the X-ray machine.
If you do use an airline wheelchair, the skycap can help you get thru screening. BUT, we just traveled home from Orlando on May 12 and noticed few skycaps. They were helping mostly people traveling alone. Wheelchairs were being brought for passengers traveling with someone else, but the other members of their group were pushing the wheelchair

You can also contact TSA Cares for support with screening. We request it every trip, but we’ve never actually been contacted by them at the Orlando airport.

 

[mamabunny]

One more question: the ankle walking boot. Am I going to have trouble in security at the airport? I’m assuming they will scan the boot somehow? I will be in the boot and have crutches, possibly a wheelchair bringing me to the gate provided by the airline. I just feel like that’s a lot to go through security. Just wondering what to expect.

Oh - important note: If that ankle walking boot has inflatable air bladders (to make a "custom" fit) those can, and will, expand in flight - so be prepared loosen or remove the boot if needed once airborne.

ETA: TSA most likely won't make you take the boot off, if you can walk through the scanner, it should be no big deal. If you need the crutches or wheelchair, then it depends on the procedure in place at that airport from what I can tell. Typically you are taken through a bypass to the scanner, and then screened by hand - so wanded, and patted down, typically by an agent of the same orientation that you present as.

They deal with folks in your situation regularly. Just stay calm, and everything will be OK!

 

[ahutton]

One more question: the ankle walking boot. Am I going to have trouble in security at the airport? I’m assuming they will scan the boot somehow? I will be in the boot and have crutches, possibly a wheelchair bringing me to the gate provided by the airline. I just feel like that’s a lot to go through security. Just wondering what to expect.

I wear a knee to foot brace AFO due to a stroke. They asked me if it could be removed and if I could stamd to walk through the scanner. No on both counts. My best tips are:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support
Will hwlp you get from security to the gate. These are way better than the airport concierge guys who complained and then asked for a tip ( I happily tip for good service but not for being crashed into walls or rude comments.
I'm not sure how you stay elevated in flight unless you've got a first class reclinable seat.

Call ahead the day or two before arrival to confurm your room accommodations can be met.

Consider an electric or powered chair, there are for more elevation changes than I ever recognized and it was hard work self propelling in a park, not easy pushing either.

Be realistic wirh yourself about comfort in the heat and humidity. Sitting and sweating is different than being fully mobile

Have a great and safe trip

 

[RoseGold]

Just call reservations and try to move to an ADA room. They don't need anything from your doctor. Anyone can book one. Maybe you need a different resort. I would rather do that than not be a wheelchair accessible room. They have more space in the bathrooms and hallways and door clearance, and all those things wheelchair people fight all the time. I have a permanently wheelchair-bound relative, and we've never shown any kind of documentation. Maybe they have one they were going to put non-accessible people in, and they can just change the labels.

They can't tell you what rides are safe for whatever blood condition you have, that's a question for your doctor.