When I go to get my sons DAS, does my son need to be in the same room when I list....

[pookadoo77]

Hi, maybe an odd question, sorry. PLEASE, no rude comments.
When I go to talk to someone about a DAS for my son, probably in MK WDW on our first day, does my son have to be in the room with me? I am assuming you go into a room not just up to a desk or a window. I ask this because my son has large self esteem issues already and feels there is something wrong with him because a lot of kids do not react well to him. When we go see his counselor and psychologist he is not in the room in the beginning for me to tell them his symptoms, recent episodes, etc. I feel him standing there listening to me listing his "limitations" may be damaging to him. I feel if someone tells someone they cant, they may never try, he is still working on coping. Can he come in later if need be to be present and get his photo? I know he will realize it is something not everyone in our family is getting and I am going to ask his counselor how I should explain it to him without making him feel like he is "less than" closer to when we travel. Will they need to ask him questions as well, he will be 10 when we visit. If so maybe I could take something from his doctors stating their approval of the DAS being beneficial for him, I have already asked their opinion.
Thanks!

 

[Mariep26]

As far as I know, they don't do it in a separate room. At MK, Guest Relations has a curved desk and the service areas aren't close together and there is generally enough noise that no one conversation stands out. They really aren't interested in hearing about official dx. They just want to hear why the DAS is needed (the limitations - inability to wait in lines, etc...) The CM is not a doctor or nurse so they may not see an obvious connection between dx and need for DAS -- you will need to make the connection for them.
I certainly understand your concern. I think you are okay to start the conversation without your son if you think that will work better. It sounds like you will need to talk about things that your son is sensitive about because the CM most likely will need it explained.
I hope that makes sense..it is an odd thing because they want just enough info to issue the DAS but not too much medical info or even proof of what you are saying.

 

[Mariep26]

Hopefully no one feels I am downplaying the value of a dx...the point I want to highlight is that the CM isn't educated on all conditions potentially needing DAS. You (meaning anyone requesting one) needs to be able to articulate the need without relying on the official dx. This does give some wiggle room to incorporate valid issues that may be separate from the dx but do contribute to the need for DAS.

 

[lovethattink]

Your son will need to be present to get his DAS card. You could always handwrite what accommodations are needed. The cm may have additional questions though.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a picture of Guest a Relations at Animal Kingdom, but they are all set up in a similar way.

Guest Relations is a large room with a desk across the front. There will be a line for waiting, with a sign about 8-10 feet from the desk that asks guests to wait behind the sign for the next available CM.

There is not total privacy, but people will not be right on top of you and you can talk quietly to the CM who is helping you. Some people do bring a note where they have written out their concerns. You do not need a doctor's letter or other proof and CMs will usually decline you look at those.

The DAS provides a way to wait outside of the regular line, so anything you tell the CM should relate to waiting in line and what difficulties he would have with waiting in the regular line.
You don't need to go into recent episodes, limitations, symptoms, diagnosis. What the CMs need to know is how being able to wait outside of the line would be helpful to him.
I would look at it from the standpoint of everyone needs help with certain things - I have bad eyesight, so I need help of glasses to see. My youngest daughter has disabilities that cause difficulty with some situations that happen in lines, so she needs extra help with that.
It's not a "Less than" situation unless someone sees it that way.

He will need to be with you, but won't need to be right up by you, if you would rather have him wait with dad or someone else to the side. He will need to come up to get his picture taken. If you have already answered all of the CM's questions, the CM may ask his name, how old he is and ask to take his picture, but not likely to ask anything other than that.

If you decide to have him out of earshot to the side, I would also consider how your son would react to knowing you are talking to or showing a note to the CM about him when he can see you interacting with the CM, but can't hear what you are saying. What he imagines you are saying and the stigma of knowing you don't want him to hear may be much more damaging than actually hearing what you have to say.
Also, be aware that when you use the DAS, the CM at the entrance and at some point further in the line (at the second Magicband scanner) will look at the DAS and at his picture on the card. They may ask which one of you is [name] to make sure the person whose name and picture is on the card is the one using it.

My suggestion would be to work with the therapist to come up with what you will say and include your son in the conversation.

If you have not checked out the DAS information threads near the top of this board, I would suggest you look at the first post, which is DAS FAQs. There is one thread for WDW and one for Disneyland.
If you want to share anything with his therapists about DAS, I would suggest sharing this from the Disney website.
https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...Disability-Access-Service-Card-2014-04-08.pdf

 

[stormer]

In August we got my son's DAS card at GR in Epcot. The CM all walked out from behind the counter and came over to you online to ask how they could help. It was a little awkward because there was no privacy and everyone else on line could hear you. If that happens to me again I would ask if we could step away from the line to talk.

 

[becd]

I have gotten the DAS in DLR as well as WDW, and the procedure is the same. GR is a large room and while the CM's try to be discreet, it is possible your son could over hear you. What I did on both occasions with mine was sat him on one of the benches with a tablet device and a set of headphones - he did not notice a thing until they asked him to let them take his picture.

 

[opusone]

I don't see why you couldn't start the conversation without your son present. He could be waiting outside the Guest Relations office (assuming there is someone else who can wait with him); however, after you mention his limitations and share your concerns about his self esteem with the CM, he should then probably join you. The CM may want to observe him, ask him a few questions (hopefully taking into account your self esteem concerns), and at a minimum, will need to take his picture if he does qualify for the DAS card.

 

[Danadanes]

Our experience was a struck up a convo with a CM while in line with my son. After talking with us for a few minutes, his issues and autism are readiliy apparent, and we did not need an in depth discussion about issues.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I agree with what Sue has stated about this.

Just a little OT and probably will not help the overall situation with the DAS, but, my DD suffered from poor self esteem because of her disabilities for a number of years. BTDT and I can certainly understand your concerns. I have recently observed that it is how people react/treat my DD that is the most damaging. If someone takes the approach that different is just that and treats her as any other person, she does better in the situation. On the flip side, if someone treats her like she is disabled first and underestimates her, then she has issues. I recently read the book, "Life Animated" by Ron Suskind. The last chapter really hit home for me. I love the part in the book where he addresses the issue that children with disabilities are "different not diminished" and that they are "just like you and I, only more so and less so." Like Sue, I look at my DD as just like anyone else who needs help (glasses, insulin, wheelchair, accommodations) to be successful in life. Long road to get there, but my DD now has a pretty good self-esteem and can advocate for herself very good. She is the one who approached the CM in Guest Services to request a DAS. And just this last week someone was putting her down and saying to me that he "just can't understand her or have a conversation with her" and my DD remarked, "Well, that's his problem not mine!" I guess I am saying all this to point out that I understand and that there is light at the end of the tunnel that sometimes one feels they are in.

I hope that you have a great trip and that you, your family and your DS have a wonderful experience.

 

[Jperiod]

When we went to DLR last year, I talked to someone for disabilities guest relations on the phone after our Oct trip (to give feedback about our experience with the DAS). I had mentioned I already had a trip scheduled for December and she gave me a reference number (about a week before my trip) to give city hall when I arrived so I wouldn't have to go into detail in front of my son. He still needed to be present, have his photo taken, etc, but I didn't have to go into the "needs" in front of him. Perhaps WDW can do something similar? I've also heard they will take you to a private room to discuss if you ask. In the past, I've had my DH take DS out (or point to him in the room) once it was our turn at the desk.

 

[SueM in MN]

When we went to DLR last year, I talked to someone for disabilities guest relations on the phone after our Oct trip (to give feedback about our experience with the DAS). I had mentioned I already had a trip scheduled for December and she gave me a reference number (about a week before my trip) to give city hall when I arrived so I wouldn't have to go into detail in front of my son. He still needed to be present, have his photo taken, etc, but I didn't have to go into the "needs" in front of him. Perhaps WDW can do something similar? I've also heard they will take you to a private room to discuss if you ask. In the past, I've had my DH take DS out (or point to him in the room) once it was our turn at the desk.

They were doing some discussion and arrangements before a trip by email or phone, but stopped doing that at WDW and DL early in 2014.

Now, you can get general information by phone or email, but nothing specific to a particular guest. All need to be requested at Guest Relations at a theme park.

This information sheet from the Disney website makes it very clear that nothing can be prearranged.
https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...Disability-Access-Service-Card-2014-04-08.pdf

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm a 19 year old with autism and I had to go in there when we would get the DAS since they need to take my picture and put it on the card. Yes, your son will eventually need to be there