Unless of course, said poster was not even a parent, let alone one of a disabled child.
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GAC to Become DAS
- Thread starter Animaniac93-98
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Unless of course, said poster was not even a parent, let alone one of a disabled child.
unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
Perhaps not even old enough to parent a child.
Or perhaps not even human...but a troll.
So he's a bit of a fixer upper?
Nemo14
Well-Known Member
I've been ignoring this thread for a while, but I guess it's time that I chimed in. I had to do the parks in a chair a couple of years ago because I had a foot injury that resulted my being in an orthopedic boot for several months. I walked when I could, but standing in lines was quite painful, hence the chair.
Anyway, in my experience, we were never offered front-of-the-line access (nor would I have wanted it) but for most rides we waited in the regular lines for the same amount of time as everyone else. Sometimes it was an even longer wait because some rides required a separate car. The CM's we encountered were usually very helpful, and always asked if I could walk without the chair to board the rides. Granted, the boot was probably a good indication that I had a legitimate excuse, but to call anyone who uses a chair while being able to "walk onto" a ride vehicle a "lowlife" would seem to prove that this poster has very little understanding of, not to mention compassion for, the less fortunate.
Anyway, in my experience, we were never offered front-of-the-line access (nor would I have wanted it) but for most rides we waited in the regular lines for the same amount of time as everyone else. Sometimes it was an even longer wait because some rides required a separate car. The CM's we encountered were usually very helpful, and always asked if I could walk without the chair to board the rides. Granted, the boot was probably a good indication that I had a legitimate excuse, but to call anyone who uses a chair while being able to "walk onto" a ride vehicle a "lowlife" would seem to prove that this poster has very little understanding of, not to mention compassion for, the less fortunate.
Lucky
Well-Known Member
That's exactly how my 90 year old World War 2 vet father in law would tour the parks. It's the only way he could do it, despite being reasonably healthy. I wonder how many guests at this magical place would consider him a low life, because he delays them from riding their little ride by an extra 1o seconds.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Well, it might be because... Na, too easy!
Cheaper and you can go from park to park or resort without having to turn one in. You don't even have to be smarter, it's a no brainer.
Again, you are making the assumption that healthy enough to get up from wheelchair/ECV to board ride = healthy enough to stand in line for 30+ mins, and healthy enough to walk around the park all day. There are many, many people who are able to ride without waiting for the wheelchair vehicle, yet still have a disability.
My mother was one of them - her cardiac condition did not allow more than minimal walking and standing in line, but she could walk from her wheelchair to a "regular" vehicle. She was unable to make the transfers on her last trip, so just stayed in the wheelchair.
luv
Well-Known Member
Very few.
CaptainessKylie
Active Member
We had a truly horrendous experience with the new system on saturday that I wanted to share, sorry if it's a bit long we have been really troubled by it, myself as an ex cast member and I have family members still working for the park. I've also worked at Guest Services at Universal, so I try to remain as two sided as possible but this crossed the line and left such a bad taste.
My brother is 22 and has battled cerebral palsy all his life, I say battled with extreme proudness, he has always tried his hardest not to let it get in his way, he has both a physical and non-physical disability. He struggles with social skills and gets angry quickly, he curses a lot and can use violence when he can't understand things. From the left side looking at him, he is a totally normal guy witha great sense of humor, from the right side you can see his disabilites, the leg splint, the arm splint, the scars from the many surgeries etc etc, he is my hero for what he has put up with, the dreams he has had crushed and the severe bullying he endured throughout his school life. He struggles to stand for long periods of time, gets terrible blisters in the heat and definitelty can't do a full 10 hour day of theme parking.
We got to Studios on Saturday for my other brothers birthday, we went to Guest Relations to ask for assistance and explained what he used to recieve and that we hadn't used the new system yet. the CM asked what problems my brother faces in lines, explained all of the above and was told this sounds like a motability issue you can just get a wheelchair.... I smiled and politely explained that he has been fighting the wheelchair for many years with success and that wouldn't be an option (side note: he hates wheelchairs, used to use them when he was younger, but found that people ignored him and talked to the pusher, or talked to him like he was stupid). I explained the non-physical side again when Taylor from IL, said she would go speak to her team and come back. This is a word for word of what she said:
"My team have agreed that cerebral palsy is JUST a motability issue therefore assistance is denied please utilize the wheelchairs".
She then went on to try and embarrass my brother, who by this point was pacing a little and getting wound up, frustrated etc, he said No and kept saying no. I asked her if I could speak to a manager to explain that CP is not "just" a motability "issue". She said no. This went on for about 5 mins until she crossed the line big time and said "well how did this happen?" I had no idea what she was talking about and so she asked again "how did this happen, how did he become so disabled?". I really had to stop myself from losing it at this point. I asked her if she'd like to step aside and watch you tube videos of child birth with me to understand, but pointed out there were kids in the area and prob not the best idea. The worst part with me is when someone offends me and boils my blood like this I can't help but well up and begin to cry, I know, massive loser here. So this caused a little bit of a scene. My mum came over and I explained to her everything that had gone on, to be repeatedly interrupted by Taylor; lying, denying she had asked certain questions or made certain statements. I stepped aside at this point, I had asked for a manager approximately 12 times by now and kept being told no. My mum tells me that Taylor said you can just lie to me and pretend he has autism and I'll give you the pass. WHAT?! So I walked over to a manager that was at turnstiles (FYI this all happened outside GR by the umbrella) and explained what was going on, the manager started to walk inside and Taylor seeing this magically granted the assistance card. I'm thinking through fear of getting in trouble. I was so appalled, and so figured I would come here to vent so here it is, apologies for the long post. I just hope no other families have to go through that. It soured the whole day. Plus we had the worst encounter using the pass at star tours, but I'll explain that in another post, again sorry for the length.
My brother is 22 and has battled cerebral palsy all his life, I say battled with extreme proudness, he has always tried his hardest not to let it get in his way, he has both a physical and non-physical disability. He struggles with social skills and gets angry quickly, he curses a lot and can use violence when he can't understand things. From the left side looking at him, he is a totally normal guy witha great sense of humor, from the right side you can see his disabilites, the leg splint, the arm splint, the scars from the many surgeries etc etc, he is my hero for what he has put up with, the dreams he has had crushed and the severe bullying he endured throughout his school life. He struggles to stand for long periods of time, gets terrible blisters in the heat and definitelty can't do a full 10 hour day of theme parking.
We got to Studios on Saturday for my other brothers birthday, we went to Guest Relations to ask for assistance and explained what he used to recieve and that we hadn't used the new system yet. the CM asked what problems my brother faces in lines, explained all of the above and was told this sounds like a motability issue you can just get a wheelchair.... I smiled and politely explained that he has been fighting the wheelchair for many years with success and that wouldn't be an option (side note: he hates wheelchairs, used to use them when he was younger, but found that people ignored him and talked to the pusher, or talked to him like he was stupid). I explained the non-physical side again when Taylor from IL, said she would go speak to her team and come back. This is a word for word of what she said:
"My team have agreed that cerebral palsy is JUST a motability issue therefore assistance is denied please utilize the wheelchairs".
She then went on to try and embarrass my brother, who by this point was pacing a little and getting wound up, frustrated etc, he said No and kept saying no. I asked her if I could speak to a manager to explain that CP is not "just" a motability "issue". She said no. This went on for about 5 mins until she crossed the line big time and said "well how did this happen?" I had no idea what she was talking about and so she asked again "how did this happen, how did he become so disabled?". I really had to stop myself from losing it at this point. I asked her if she'd like to step aside and watch you tube videos of child birth with me to understand, but pointed out there were kids in the area and prob not the best idea. The worst part with me is when someone offends me and boils my blood like this I can't help but well up and begin to cry, I know, massive loser here. So this caused a little bit of a scene. My mum came over and I explained to her everything that had gone on, to be repeatedly interrupted by Taylor; lying, denying she had asked certain questions or made certain statements. I stepped aside at this point, I had asked for a manager approximately 12 times by now and kept being told no. My mum tells me that Taylor said you can just lie to me and pretend he has autism and I'll give you the pass. WHAT?! So I walked over to a manager that was at turnstiles (FYI this all happened outside GR by the umbrella) and explained what was going on, the manager started to walk inside and Taylor seeing this magically granted the assistance card. I'm thinking through fear of getting in trouble. I was so appalled, and so figured I would come here to vent so here it is, apologies for the long post. I just hope no other families have to go through that. It soured the whole day. Plus we had the worst encounter using the pass at star tours, but I'll explain that in another post, again sorry for the length.
JLipnick
Well-Known Member
This REALLY, REALLY concerns me. I just read a very similar post on another site for a physical disability. WE are going in June for 11 nights using our DVC points and are rather anxious to see how our son is able to use the new DAS. he is 5 years old and cannot stand independently without the use of a walker. he is not wheelchair bound nor will we EVER let someone try to force him to be in a wheelchair. we have called a few times and different people told us different things. one lady told us that for a physical disability, we would be able to use the old system still and to talk to guest services when we get there. but then another call with a different CM told us something similar to this post such that they may not give him a DAS and require him to be in a wheelchair. since we had not seen any posts like this yet, we didn't pay that CM much mind. however, after seeing this, we may call up and tell them if this is what we are to expect, that we will not only cancel our two current booked trips and our one planned for june 2015 and sell our DVC. if my son doesn't qualify for the guest assistance, then i don't know who should. way to be inclusive, disney!
CaptainessKylie
Active Member
We personally would find it very difficult to return and will be voting with our feet and going to universal, the system there runs much smoother and is less dictator-esque (I find the photographic "I'm disabled" card far too intrusive, but thats my personal opinion...)
When I first worked there in 09 the idea was if you have an apparent disability you got a wheelchair stamp, non-apperant got the fastpass, that changed over the years but I remember thinking then that it was wrong for people that suffer with both sides, like my brother. And those who physically can't wait in a line, or those who physcially cannot spend a whole day in the parks. The new system works for those that can, but not those that can't. After the autism comment as well, and some other feedback I have recieved, I am sad to say that Disney have implemented the Austism Assistance system and have forgot about anyone else with a disability.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
First and foremost, I'm sorry you had to deal with this crap. I strongly encourage you to reach out to Disney via e-mail with this story. Don't ask for anything of value, just pass the story along. At the very least, you should get a phone call.
Second, thank you for sharing the story with us. I know that the Guest Assistance Card had to change, but Disney has taken a decidedly black and white approach to the problem. They have eliminated common sense from the equation and it has simply been Autistic? You get a card. Not autistic? You're out of luck.
If it makes you feel any better, they're screwing up the Fastpass system as well, so guests without disabilities are also getting inconvenienced by recent changes.
rct247
Well-Known Member
awilliams4
Well-Known Member
I am naive on CP so this is just my opinion on what I believe Disney's approach on this is now.
a. If you cannot stand for long periods of time, their new universal answer to that is use a wheelchair in a wheelchair accessible line.
b. If you cannot wait for long periods of time, you rate a GAC.
Thus the Autism reference. Really sucks. Over the past 20 years it seems that all the lowest common
denominators (read self centered, self entitled, frauds, cheats, liability ambulance chasers, etc) have basically dictated and caused all the new rules in our culture. You see it everywhere for every topic. Our overly politically correct and victimized culture has gotten us to where we are today.
Disney unfortunately had to make some new rules that fits all the new rules in our society. Maybe the
common sense will start swinging the other way once we all get collectively sick of the few others that are causing these changes.
JLipnick
Well-Known Member
This is exactly what is wrong with this whole thing. the title of this guide says "Guests with cognitive disabilities including autism." There are many other physical disabilities that warrant accommodations, perhaps even more so than cognitive disabilities especially with children. It is one thing for an adult who has a bad knee or back or some other physical reason they can't stand for long periods of time in a line to be given a wheel chair for long lines, but not for a small child. to tell a 5 year old child with no cognitive delays but only physical challenges who already can't do things his peers can do that they have to be in a wheel chair or a stroller in line only shows what is truly wrong with this world. with bullying at such a heightened sensitivity these days, why force a child who already is different from others that he has to be even more different by being forced into a wheel chair? now i understand there are specific circumstances where this is an issue (with my son, for example) and that it wouldn't apply to all cases. however, based on the couple of guests' reports with similar issues as ours being told their child doesn't meet the requirements for DAS without being on the autism spectrum, it is apparent that Disney has not thought this out as well as they should have.
flynnibus
Premium Member
If you were somewhere where there was lots of standing... and lots of walking... but no lines... what type of accommodation would these people use then? Is there another viable option in those scenarios? If there is no line to bypass... what does that person do in that case?
I'm sensitive to the idea of "forcing" someone to use a wheelchair - but no one is forcing them here. They are saying "here is the accommodation we provide...". You can use it or not. It's a reasonable accommodation by acceptable standards. If you can't stand, here is a place to sit. I personally think they should allow alternate waiting areas for other physical disabilities - with the right restrictions to prevent abuse, I think there is nothing to lose by doing so. But Disney's current position is legally defendable - it's just not the most accommodating.
I would speculate this will change in the next 6m-12m. Once the initial wave is knocked down and the bumps smoothed... I think they will soften up.
mr spalding
Banned
Had "Taylor from IL" tried to embarrass my disabled child, Disney would have had to change her name tag to "Toothless Taylor from IL".
raymusiccity
Well-Known Member
Tirades like these really stretch credulity. Does anyone really believe that a cast member 'went on to try to embarrass' a child, even a 'disabled' one? It reminds me of all the shenanigans that go on at the Special Olympics....but, that's another can of worms.
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