Special Needs Sharing Question: Would you support Disney if they created a system to equalize waiting times for those with a GAC while still accommodating the disability? About This Page:

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Kynna

I know you are correct but it sounds so funny. It seems silly that you wouldn't have to "disclose" that you have a disability to get assistance for people with disabilities! You need a prescription to get handicap tags for your car. Society can be a funny thing.

Yes, it does sound funny. The word that comes to my mind is complicated.

Actually, this entire topic is complicated, and I (once again) really appreciate the way people are keeping it calm and on topic.

I'm learning some new things by the comments but, I have to admit, I thought twice about even bringing the issue up.

[mechurchlady]

Originally Posted by Kynna

I know you are correct but it sounds so funny. It seems silly that you wouldn't have to "disclose" that you have a disability to get assistance for people with disabilities! You need a prescription to get handicap tags for your car. Society can be a funny thing.

Actually it is based on the ADA and its laws/rules/wahtever you call them.

If a person is getting something that everyone else gets then their disability cannot be asked except to the degree necessary to accommodate the guest. For example, "I am blind" might then be followed up with questions on how much vision is left so as to better meet the guest's needs but the guest would not have to say why they are blind. The goal is to give customers equal access with as little intrustion into their private life. Also for me my knee pain often is allergy related and at times from damage. Can you imagine me having to go to a doctor and try to prove I am in pain, lol. Anyone can get labeled disabled if they know the right people.

Why then do you need proof or a doctor's signature to get a handicapped placard? The ADA says that if a person gets something above what other guests get then the business/agency can ask for proof. This include handicapped placards, free admission to state parks while others pay, free companion admission, free transportation, discounted transportation, discounted hotel rooms, and anything where being disabled gives a person a better deal.

America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
This is an example of a free admission for the disabled that would, according to the ADA, allow the agency to ask for proof.

State Parks Free for Disabled Veterans in NM: Benefits Extended to New Mexico Military Vets with 50% Disability | Suite101.com
Disabled vets get a discount and a free pass.

=====================
Sandra, I try hard to do the following.

I will not worry about people sneaking a 4 year old child into the park as a 2 year old. I will not worry about if that dog is really a service animal. I will not worry if that woman who is overweight lied about her weight so she could ride a swing ride. I will not worry about whether or not that guest with a GAC is truly disabled. I will not worry about whether a person has 15 items in a 10 item line.

I am not the law. I am not the judge. I am not the jury. I hope nobody thinks those things of me. I will leave the matter to God and to the government and business/agencies to handle the cheaters and thieves and liars.

[PamelaK]

Originally Posted by mechurchlady

Actually it is based on the ADA and its laws/rules/wahtever you call them.

If a person is getting something that everyone else gets then their disability cannot be asked except to the degree necessary to accommodate the guest. For example, "I am blind" might then be followed up with questions on how much vision is left so as to better meet the guest's needs but the guest would not have to say why they are blind. The goal is to give customers equal access with as little intrustion into their private life. Also for me my knee pain often is allergy related and at times from damage. Can you imagine me having to go to a doctor and try to prove I am in pain, lol. Anyone can get labeled disabled if they know the right people.

Why then do you need proof or a doctor's signature to get a handicapped placard? The ADA says that if a person gets something above what other guests get then the business/agency can ask for proof. This include handicapped placards, free admission to state parks while others pay, free companion admission, free transportation, discounted transportation, discounted hotel rooms, and anything where being disabled gives a person a better deal.

This is a good way of putting the legalese into terms others can understand.

[TNTWheels]

Originally Posted by mechurchlady

I am not the law. I am not the judge. I am not the jury. I hope nobody thinks those things of me. I will leave the matter to God and to the government and business/agencies to handle the cheaters and thieves and liars.

Amen to that. I as well have to do the same thing.

[Kynna]

I totally understand the need for the ADA laws. I just think it is sad that society puts us in that postition.

Having Crohn's and the whole tangled web of privacy issues that come with it makes it hard to get funding for research and difficult to find advocacy because many patients rather not be heard. So, I tend to be a little more brazen about it because I feel like I am the voice for others who won't speak up. That's why the whole idea struck me funny. I don't think we should have to worry about bias. Can Disney make that wish come true?

[GoofyMom]

First of all, I absolutely would support some kind of equalized wait time, but there are so many different kinds of disabilities I can't think of any way that would work across the board for all. What would work for mobility issues, probably wouldn't work for sensory issues, etc. Generally speaking, I didn't really think that our wait times were much shorter than what the normal FP lines were. We mostly use FP and rarely consider rides if the wait is longer than 40 minutes anyway. If we could get away with it, we entered the regular line although sometimes CMs would shoo us out of it and make us use the disabled entrance where we would get put in the special needs area, have to wait to register with the CM there (how many in your party, are you able to transfer, any special instructions for getting on or off the ride, etc) and then have to wait for the accessible cars to make their way around anyway so I really think there was probably a difference of maybe 5 or 6 minutes. Big whoop - hardly worth renting an ECV to "cheat" the system. Seriously. And sometimes the accessible areas are pretty un-Disney -- POTC's suck-the-magic-right-out-of-you exit, anybody? I found the biggest advantage was the accessible areas to watch parades from because having somebody stand right in front of you when you're sitting in a chair is pretty frustrating - it's not like you can just shift over 6" to see around them.

I had to use a wheelchair the last two times I went to WDW due to a pelvic injury in an accident I had a couple years ago. I am almost always in pain, but you can't tell by looking at me unless it's really bad and I get the "pregnant waddle". The first time, I was very reluctant to use a chair or get a GAC because I don't need assistance for day-to-day stuff, and I waited too long until I could hardly move anymore. I finally realized there's no way I can walk through the parks all day and expect to a) be able to sleep that night due to the aches and pains, and b) do it all over again tomorrow! I hated the judgmental looks I got because people would see me get up to walk into the bathroom because it's easier to do that than try to wheel yourself in and wait for the accessible stall to be free, plus I welcomed the break. I wish those judgmental people had to live just one day with the pain I do... if they could feel how bad I hurt the day after I have to do the grocery shopping maybe they'd understand why I need a chair to tour WDW. Due to the nature of my injury the chair was just the lesser of 2 evils. My tushie and back ached so bad from sitting all day that I had to get up and move around some! I think people think that if you are using a wheelchair/ECV/walker, that means you are completely incapable of walking and if they see you get up for a 10 minute stretch, then you are automatically a cheater.

[PamelaK]

Originally Posted by GoofyMom

Due to the nature of my injury the chair was just the lesser of 2 evils. My tushie and back ached so bad from sitting all day that I had to get up and move around some! I think people think that if you are using a wheelchair/ECV/walker, that means you are completely incapable of walking and if they see you get up for a 10 minute stretch, then you are automatically a cheater.

While I am not the one in the wheelchair, I can empathize with you. WHen DD uses her chair and then gets up to see something little closer or to use the restroom, she gets those looks. As a mom, I get upset with others who want to judge her. But then I realize that they don't live with her every day like I do. They don't see the effects a long day of walking has on her at night. Our regimen for our trip will include a motrin in the morning, the chair, and a motrin at night if she needs it. She wants to be able to leave the chair behind and walk onto some attractions so that she doesn't miss out on all the queue things. Just because she wants the opportunity to experience the same things everyone else does and she decides to endure the pain that comes with it, does not make her a cheater. (I am NOT saying that anyone here would call her a cheater, but it was a soapbox moment.)

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by GoofyMom

And sometimes the accessible areas are pretty un-Disney -- POTC's suck-the-magic-right-out-of-you exit, anybody?

I think people think that if you are using a wheelchair/ECV/walker, that means you are completely incapable of walking and if they see you get up for a 10 minute stretch, then you are automatically a cheater.

Very good point!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by mechurchlady

Sandra, I try hard to do the following.

I will not worry about people sneaking a 4 year old child into the park as a 2 year old. I will not worry about if that dog is really a service animal. I will not worry if that woman who is overweight lied about her weight so she could ride a swing ride. I will not worry about whether or not that guest with a GAC is truly disabled. I will not worry about whether a person has 15 items in a 10 item line.

I am not the law. I am not the judge. I am not the jury. I hope nobody thinks those things of me. I will leave the matter to God and to the government and business/agencies to handle the cheaters and thieves and liars.

I LOVE IT!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I also have to get up & move to stretch my legs & back or I get very stiff..
I just smile at anyone that gives me "the look" I would gladly give them my ECV if they would take my Fibro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KimbalovesDisney]

I am going to Disney today and cant tell you how much reading this post has helped me. I can walk in normal day to day things. But by the end of the night I am in so much pain from my back from an old car accident injury. I have been struggling with the decision to rent a scooter and have people look at me like a cheat, because I can walk, I will just suffer for it in pain by the end of the day, or to be able to really enjoy my trip. I went out and got a cain thinking that if I use that to lean on maybe it will ease some of the pain when I have been on my feet too long. I wouldnt walk miles in a normal day but boy do i hurt on laundry and grocery day. Thank you all for making me realize I am not alone in this! If I need to use an evc I will and not feel guilty about it. See U Real Soon!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by KimbalovesDisney

I am going to Disney today and cant tell you how much reading this post has helped me.

Thank you all for making me realize I am not alone in this! If I need to use an evc I will and not feel guilty about it. See U Real Soon!

We're so happy to hear that. Please tell us how your trip went as soon as you get back, OK?

[Laughaholic]

I think this is such a great and informational thread. Thanks everyone for being so respectful!

[mavisdavis]

This is an interesting topic, honestly one that's never crossed my mind. I always assumed that WDW had a great system in place. It bums me out to hear about some CM's not being accomidating.

For myself...I don't see why we need to be concerned about equality in line-waiting times? If other people ride faster than me, so be it. Am I not fortunate enough to be able to walk and enjoy every aspect of the park? I'd wait three times as long if I thought it would make someone in pain smile.

I do think there are fewer people abusing it than some might think. It takes SOME NERVE to pretend to have a disability...I'd like to think most people wouldn't go there.

[Laughaholic]

It's really sad, but a lot of people do. Personally, I work at another park (Disney as well, but for this discussion I'll talk about the other place I work) and I often see people asking for accommodations and it really looks like abuse. I'm not in a place to judge, but it seems the more people know that we cannot ask for the proof, they won't put it besides themselves to ask.