Can I ask some stupid questions about all this hubbub about
the new Disney Disability policy?
Now, I
readily admit that I don’t know the laws and the policies well at all. So all my questions are coming from a naive & uninformed place so please correct
me if I’m wrong. I’m really looking for
answers here…
Ok, here goes…
Isn’t a HUGE part of
the problem that the theme parks are not allowed to ask for proof of your kid’s
disability? Some people were abusing the
system and pretending they were disabled to gain the disability “perks”, the
fast passes, right?
On their website explaining the new policy it says
“Why doesn’t Disney Parks ask for proof of disability, such
as a doctor’s note?”
“Disney Parks takes Guests at their word and there are legal
restrictions around asking for proof.”
Now the ADA (American for Disabilities Act) probably spells
out some of these legal restrictions. I
know with our autism service dog, legally people aren’t allowed to ask for
proof of need for the dog. And I’m sure
there was/is legitimate needs for these laws… BUT…
Maybe, in light of what I
keep reading on the news was “rampant abuse” of the disability policy at Disney, maybe it’s
time to start lifting those legal restrictions…
So why not let the parks ask for proof of disability? I have NO PROBLEM carrying around a laminated
doctor’s note or IEP proving that my kid has severe autism.
Is that naive of me? Would others have a problem having to prove
it?
Let Disney ask for proof and then maybe let Disney reduce
the number of friends/family members that can accompany the disabled person in
jumping the line. I read somewhere the
policy was a disabled person could bring up to 6 guests/family members with
them. Is that accurate/ true? If so, that seems a wee bit much. Maybe cut that back to 3-4 people?
Wouldn’t these two small things drastically reduce the abuse
of the policy?
Sure some people could still fake a doctor’s note, but I think it
would deter most of the people who in the past abused the policy.
Ask me for a doctor’s note, take my kid’s pic, I got no
problems…and then give me the old fastpass / immediate access to the rides
before my kid melts down and starts kicking…
That’s my policy!
Thoughts?
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View Comments
We're on the same page there. I don't see anything wrong with asking for proof..problem solved!
I myself work at Magic Mountain and yes we do actual proof of disability for the fact is that many people do take advantage of the ada pass. And yet it may be a little confusing because the fact that many people do not want to disclose their diagnosis however it is best to help the interested we can maintain and give the proper passes at the same time I feel it's not useful if everybody wants to get wood and those who really need it are unable to use it to the proper benefits so yes out as an employee at Six Flags Magic Mountain I think doing showing proof of disability is the best proof that we only need to see it once and will always keep it on file for the that way you don't need to keep bringing it every single time I had made a request if we could go ahead and do that for the fact is I have a sister and son with autism and also seizures and it is very difficult to have to deal with it people who don't really need it and who pretend to get a wheelchair just to get it for another line and yet run up to the line as if nothing was even wrong to begin with so now we are now part of those who request proof of diagnosis of disability
I've got a zillion documents referencing my son's disabilities. I would be happy to provide 1 or 20 different ones to prove he needs this pass.
I feel the same way and i know so many parents of disabled children and disabled adults that feel the same way! Ask me for whatever it is you need i would have NO problem handing over proof and letting them take a pic of my little girl to put on a card. I also agree that 6 people is a bit much, 4 people seems more reasonable. i mean listen the DMV requires proof when you want to get the placard right? So why not allow Disney to do the same? Things would be so much easier for both parties. It's so frustrating.. i see parents canceling trips and Annual passes but when we do that we also hurt our kids.. they don't know what's going on. all they know is that they love Disney. That's why i haven't canceled my pass... my little girl would be heart broken. Instead i hope that something gives and both sides come to some sort of agreement. again... the only people being hurt by all this are special needs community.
Why is 6 people too much? Personally, I have 4 children. Am I just going to let my my ASD child go alone? Or am I supposed to just leave my 3 year old hanging around the ride and hope for the best? Not everyone is a family of 4.
Yup we are a family of 5 with 1 on the spectrum. The idea is to take
A vacation together. Not everyone is a cookie cutter family of 4
Diary of Mom was called by disney and they addressed the whole asking for proof thing. It's on one of her blog posts. They aren't gonna do it because of the privacy laws. There is no budging on it from what it seems. :(
I agree! The first time we went to receive a GAC I brought a copy of a doctors diagnosis and a copy of my son's IEP and they said they were not qualified to read it. LOL I have no problem showing documentation. My son has Autism and severe sensory issues and since he is used to the old system at Disneyland it will be even harder, because it has changed. My son does not handle change well. It is sad that people who abused this system spoiled it for others who really need it.
You are right, 6 is the total number of people who are allowed to use the Guest Assistance Card. We've gotten up to 8 people on with us before when we've been down there and with another family. I'd have no problem showing Customer Relations documentation of my son's autism. We've been down there for 4 years and always have our letter with us, but have never been asked for it before. I think this would certainly work to reduce the amount of abuse the pass gets.
I always bring this information with me when I go on vacation and have absolutely no issue with sharing it. It is much easier to share your child's disability to get appropriate accommodations from the outset rather than attempting to explain why your child is melting down once they are in the middle of it!
This is a symptom of a bigger problem, and then there are other symptoms branching off from it, each one much more aggravating for disabled people than having to show proof ever would be. Disabled people shouldn't have their benefits reduced or removed because some people abuse a system. The abusers are making other people feel like they have a license to look at every person with a service dog or a handicapped parking pass as if they are faking. Just last week I had a heated discussion with a person on FB who was complaining that a person had a service dog in Target -- a great dane -- because they were "probably faking." Maybe if we changed some policies and allowed people to provide proof, there would be less room for jerks to question things. --Dana
The legalities come from HIPPA. Not ADA.
It has more to do with federal ADA laws than privacy practices (although that's always a concern). I hope I can explain this so that it makes sense: it's like handicapped parking. The general public does not have access to handicap spaces (in theory, of course...) so in order to utilize one you must provide proof of the qualifying disability. At Disneyland / Disney World the goal is to provide equal access and the public has the ability to utilize the accommodating services, therefore they cannot legally ask for proof of the disability. CM's (cast members, or employees for non-initiated) are specifically trained to ask guests about their concerns related to waiting in line rather than any questions that have to do with a specific diagnosis. If you offer up information (for instance, by telling them your child has autism) there isn't anything they can do with that information.