DeafBlind qualify for DAS Pass?

[jaklgreen]

No one here can say for sure what Disney will do in this situation. But with the changes, it looks as if the line itself is the problem, then a person doesn't qualify. And DAS doesn't do anything for you as far as the rides are concerned, the ONLY thing that it does is give you a return time based off of the posted standby wait time where you would then enter through the Lightening Lane.
It won't help at all at the rides, in the restaurants, or with transportation. So you would have to explain how and why you going through the standby line would not work for you. It doesn't hurt to try, but I wouldn't count on it.
I also recommend that you reach out to their disability help service. They would know what is available for those with hearing and vision loss.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

I have researched everywhere and even called Disney Guest Services and DAS office several times. I am not getting straight answers. I want to know if my fiancè, who is 100% Deaf, his left eye is 20/900 and his right eye is 20/600, which states he is legally blind. He cannot see anything out of his left eye but his right eye is like a tunnel vision, but looking through a straw.

Disney said that he can use a captioned handheld device or read the captions on the screen, but he cannot read small letters. He can't read anymore, and they said that he can use Braille, but he hasn't gotten training in reading Braille.

DAS kept sending me automated responses, which frustrated me.

The reason I asked if he can get a DAS pass is because of his safety and for others. He cannot see anything in the dark (like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Test Track, etc).


If he doesn't qualify for DAS, what tips can you guys recommend????

As others have stated, you/he will need to explain why the queue itself is a problem. You mention safety, but be prepared WDW may suggest he be pushed through queues in a wheelchair. Unfortunately, "blind" has not typically qualified for a DAS for many years and the latest tightening of qualifications makes it very unlikely. You won't know without doing a video call, which I realize will be challenging in and of itself if you both have hearing disabilities. There should be a way to turn on closed captioning for the Zoom call. I do recommend trying even if he doesn't qualify for DAS because they may have other suggestions.

As to other accommodations regarding experiencing the attractions -- I don't have any good suggestions other than think about how he experiences life. There are audio readers which won't help; there are closed captioning devices but it sounds like that may not be of any benefit. Does he use any apps that help to enlarge print so he can read it? Does he attend movies or experience TV shows or concerts? What do you/he do in those situations to help him know what's occurring? WDW is simply more of that.

Good luck!

 

[Comped]

Unfortunately, "blind" has not typically qualified for a DAS for many years and the latest tightening of qualifications makes it very unlikely.

I qualified for some 20 years with (admittedly less severe) vision issues, and a secondary disability that still may technically qualify under the new-ish rules (I haven't bothered to try to get DAS since the change). Under the old system stretching back to the GAC cards (I still have mine from my first trip in 2004), I almost never had an issue getting approved for DAS for my vision issues... I got it renewed right until the system changed with only one or two problems in many years. So the idea it "not typically qualified for a DAS for many years" isn't exactly right.

I have, also antocedently on a different social media site, talked to a blind user who happened to get approval under the new system. Just one. So perhaps it's not impossible, but darn difficult.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

I almost never had an issue getting approved for DAS for my vision issues... I got it renewed right until the system changed with only one or two problems in many years. So the idea it "not typically qualified for a DAS for many years" isn't exactly right.

GAC was a different system. Your experience with DAS is not typical based on reports that I've read. I'm glad it worked for you; many others had more challenges.

 

[Lalenalily]

As I've edited my post to acknowledge and I apoligized for my misreading. I was reading quickly after getting some bad news at a doctors appt for my child. I should have waited to respond.

I pray that everything is ok with your child. <3.

 

[Lalenalily]

Hi, everyone.


Thanks for the feedback—even the blunt stuff. I can take it.


To clear up some confusion: yes, a lot of DeafBlind folks actually do want to go to amusement parks. For many, it's a rare chance to feel free, thrilled, and fully alive.


My husband has Usher Syndrome type 1C. (Look it up if you're unfamiliar.) He was born Deaf and is now losing his vision. We had a cruise planned for February 2026, but he asked to cancel it and go to Disney instead. Why? Because his vision is deteriorating fast, and he wants to experience Disney with our daughter—who will be six then—before he goes completely blind.


Some of you asked if he can use audio. He’s Deaf. That’s not an option.


He hasn’t had training with a white cane or Braille yet. He’s supposed to attend a 6-week training, but we don’t know when that’ll happen—before or after the Disney trip. Either way, we’re preparing as best we can.


He’ll have tactile maps for the parks, which should help. He’s also learning Pro-Tactile sign language.


Hope this clears things up. Disney has great accommodations for single disabilities, but for dual disabilities, it gets trickier. That’s what we’re trying to figure out.


Also—if anyone knows—how early can we talk to DAS?


Thanks again.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I pray that everything is ok with your child. <3.

Much better now, thank you

 

[NelsonRD]

I'm not assuming anything, I am asking if it can be explained to me what the enjoyment would be. Why? Exactly for the reason you just said. I can see and hear and I know from that just how much WDW is built on the premise. There is nothing wrong with anyone going, and I have seen a lot of very disabled people, some that show no reaction to anything and the family is convinced that the person is having a good time. Even the tamest of attractions wouldn't be much more than a breeze on ones face without those two senses. I will put in that I don't know if that person said why he really wanted to go. If he indeed is finding something stimulating about it, then by all means he is a stronger man than I am.

If everyone remembers back a few years when people were taking along handicapped relatives and sometimes strangers to WDW to get to the front of lines and in large groups. One goes they all go. The question about if DAS was going to be a factor, just brought all that to mind. DAS now is just more or less a virtual queue but it still means that one will get to do something else and come back and not have the long line to contend with because they were operating on a no line situation. I'm not saying that is happening here, but since I have been fortunate enough to go with the ability to hear and see I really cannot picture how someone with problems involving both without having to have another sense take over to even have a chance of enjoyment. Just missing sight, yes someone can explain what it happening. Just missing hearing and one can see and therefore be part of it. With both missing, I frankly am at a loss.

I'm sure this will instill more anger toward me for having the tenacity to ask that question. I'm not saying this particular gentleman isn't finding pleasure in it, just some degree of reasoning so I can understand. It appears that this gentleman can speak so I'm wondering if he has said why or what he gets out of it. The bolded sentence in your post is the question, how are they communicating with him if he is deaf. They stated that he didn't know Braille and only has tunnel vision in one eye, if he can see enough to get the just of things than that explains it, if not then I just can't imagine what the joy would be.

By the way, I commend you for your time working with the deaf and blind. That must have been challenging and rewarding in the end. I know the four or five times I escorted mentally challenged and one of the finest people I ever knew that had Cerebral Palsy who could only talk with one or two words and could semi-walk if I held him up. That was before there was anything like DAS. It was a reward to see their reaction to the place, even that was a lot of work and if anyone thought it was easy, should try it once or twice. But, they could see and hear. Big difference.

Maybe she wants to go and spend time with him there. Maybe it is not about him, and what his enjoyment would be, but more of something she wants to do. Maybe it is something that would make her happy, to be there, together. Maybe she is looking out for his well-being for her interest in Disney. Maybe, just maybe, they can find the same happiness together that everybody else goes for.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

Also—if anyone knows—how early can we talk to DAS?

60 days prior to first park day.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Maybe she wants to go and spend time with him there. Maybe it is not about him, and what his enjoyment would be, but more of something she wants to do. Maybe it is something that would make her happy, to be there, together. Maybe she is looking out for his well-being for her interest in Disney. Maybe, just maybe, they can find the same happiness together that everybody else goes for.

Maybe, but that sounds a whole lot of selfish so I don't think that is the nicest thing to do and I don't think this is the motivation. Regardless of reason, I was trying to really figure out what what going on. It was eventually stated the he hasn't completely lost his vision yet and wanted to go while he still had some. That is the explanation for this particular situation. So my question was answered.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Hi, everyone.


Thanks for the feedback—even the blunt stuff. I can take it.


To clear up some confusion: yes, a lot of DeafBlind folks actually do want to go to amusement parks. For many, it's a rare chance to feel free, thrilled, and fully alive.


My husband has Usher Syndrome type 1C. (Look it up if you're unfamiliar.) He was born Deaf and is now losing his vision. We had a cruise planned for February 2026, but he asked to cancel it and go to Disney instead. Why? Because his vision is deteriorating fast, and he wants to experience Disney with our daughter—who will be six then—before he goes completely blind.


Some of you asked if he can use audio. He’s Deaf. That’s not an option.


He hasn’t had training with a white cane or Braille yet. He’s supposed to attend a 6-week training, but we don’t know when that’ll happen—before or after the Disney trip. Either way, we’re preparing as best we can.


He’ll have tactile maps for the parks, which should help. He’s also learning Pro-Tactile sign language.


Hope this clears things up. Disney has great accommodations for single disabilities, but for dual disabilities, it gets trickier. That’s what we’re trying to figure out.


Also—if anyone knows—how early can we talk to DAS?


Thanks again.

One area that you might read up on is moving through crowds. Disney crowds are not only thick but you have lots of overstimulated people darting in all directions. Colliding with people and strollers is not uncommon. I can see pros and cons to a cane - on the one hand it would be a visible sign to others that your husband is visually impaired. On the other my guess is that if he is new to using a cane, Disney will be a challenging place to use it. This blog post still highly recommends it though.

Hope all goes well and you have an amazing trip!

 

[lewisc]

Maybe, but that sounds a whole lot of selfish so I don't think that is the nicest thing to do and I don't think this is the mot

Blind basically means you can't read the top line of the eye chart WITH glasses. It doesn't mean everything is always black.

People frequently go to events and destinations they hate. Other family members are interested. Couples go to tue opera and ballet. Sometimes the husband has no interest. May even sleep through it. Same with movies.

 

[Ayla]

People frequently go to events and destinations they hate. Other family members are interested. Couples go to tue opera and ballet. Sometimes the husband has no interest. May even sleep through it. Same with movies.

They aren't comparable.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Blind basically means you can't read the top line of the eye chart WITH glasses. It doesn't mean everything is always black.

People frequently go to events and destinations they hate. Other family members are interested. Couples go to tue opera and ballet. Sometimes the husband has no interest. May even sleep through it. Same with movies.

I said maybe, but to me that would be an awful thing to do to someone one allegedly loves and cares about. If they sincerely are willing OK, but if not it just seems cruel. WDW is a much more active event than an opera or ballet and is a much more visual and auditory experience than many things. In the other two you can either see the event or hear the event and my question was how it was a pleasant time for someone if they had neither hearing or sight. And beyond that how do you even ask if those two senses are blocked. And unlike other things like a ball game or some other event it is a much longer lasting commitment. A couple hours is much different than a whole day or more.

 

[NelsonRD]

Maybe, but that sounds a whole lot of selfish so I don't think that is the nicest thing to do and I don't think this is the motivation. Regardless of reason, I was trying to really figure out what what going on. It was eventually stated the he hasn't completely lost his vision yet and wanted to go while he still had some. That is the explanation for this particular situation. So my question was answered.

She wants to be there with her husband, how is that selfish? Surely this is part of the motivation.

It is no different than taking young children to Disney World who will not remember it. Parents enjoy going with their children, even if they do not comprehend what is going on around them. It is not a selfish act.

 

[Goofyernmost]

She wants to be there with her husband, how is that selfish? Surely this is part of the motivation.

It is no different than taking young children to Disney World who will not remember it. Parents enjoy going with their children, even if they do not comprehend what is going on around them. It is not a selfish act.

It isn't unless he really doesn't want to be there and is hot and miserable all day in the Florida sun. I said, if he sincerely wants to go, it is fine, but I'm sure it would be difficult to get an answer one can be sure of if both senses are missing and Braille isn't possible yet.

It is a moot point in this instance since it was stated that he still has some vision and wants to go before he loses the rest of it. So it doesn't apply in this case. My question is still, if one cannot see and cannot hear what is left for enjoyment for that person. How does the caretaker even make decisions about what to eat? How can you be absolutely sure that they have completely understood what was being asked of them. It isn't as simple as well, my wife wants to go so I guess I'll go along. I know that if the decision were mine and I couldn't be sure of how the person feels about it, I think it would be much more caring for me to not even think it was a good idea. Having been with a number of people that had some type of disability a number of times I can tell you that it is a lot of work and there really isn't much time to enjoy it yourself. If some form of direct communication is available to counter act the lack of vision, that would be different. Still difficult but much different.

 

[NelsonRD]

if one cannot see and cannot hear what is left for enjoyment for that person.

Maybe spending time with his wife in a place that makes her happy?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Can we stop talking in hypotheticals as though the OP isn't present? The OP has made it quite clear her husband *wants* to go.

My husband has Usher Syndrome type 1C. (Look it up if you're unfamiliar.) He was born Deaf and is now losing his vision. We had a cruise planned for February 2026, but he asked to cancel it and go to Disney instead. Why? Because his vision is deteriorating fast, and he wants to experience Disney with our daughter—who will be six then—before he goes completely blind.

As for this:

My question is still, if one cannot see and cannot hear what is left for enjoyment for that person. How does the caretaker even make decisions about what to eat? How can you be absolutely sure that they have completely understood what was being asked of them.

Sometimes when a person has disabilities that significantly impact their communication, you as the caregiver *don't* know for sure. As a parent of a minimally speaking child who isn't fluent with AAC, I've had people question me on this with DD for years. We do the best we can to understand her, meet her needs, and help her have as much fun and experience as much of *life* as possible. If I had to be 100% sure of anything before moving forward, we'd never do anything. Being shut in the house never going anywhere or doing anything isn't healthy for anyone.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Can we stop talking in hypotheticals as though the OP isn't present? The OP has made it quite clear her husband *wants* to go.



As for this:


Sometimes when a person has disabilities that significantly impact their communication, you as the caregiver *don't* know for sure. As a parent of a minimally speaking child who isn't fluent with AAC, I've had people question me on this with DD for years. We do the best we can to understand her, meet her needs, and help her have as much fun and experience as much of *life* as possible. If I had to be 100% sure of anything before moving forward, we'd never do anything. Being shut in the house never going anywhere or doing anything isn't healthy for anyone.

Two things.... First, if you truly don't want to keep talking about my possibly being off topic, why continue it? I was done with it and had no intention of further participation.

Second, I was asking for a specific hypothetical situation. Not just one problem but two problems. One was complete blindness and also complete deafness. Originally I thought that is what this thread was about and I was not really trying to influence the OP, it was just something I didn't understand. It was then clarified and I acknowledged that was something I thought was good to do. Still everyone had to tell me why it was right to take someone that cannot experience sound or visual stimuli when they have no ability to know what is going on around them. A person that is now relocated in an unfamiliar area, in the heat, with no ability to even be left alone because you can't tell them you are leaving, for say the bathroom, or order a quick service meal. That is what I was asking! I didn't know at the time that so many were sure that it that scenario was fact when it was more in line with caring about the person with the disability and how it must feel to be in a world of complete dependability on others. At least at home they would know where the bathroom and kitchen was located. At a place like WDW they would be lost. The OP situation was that he could see a little and he could communicate but was not the thing I was asking about.

The man that I took three times to WDW had Cerebral Palsy and could only speak a few words and in a wheelchair but physically able to walk very short distances with assistance, but he could see and he could hear and therefore had a great experience. I was exhausted by the time it was done, but I could tell by stringing together the few thing he said to know want was wanted and what was enjoyed. But like I said, after I realized that his situation was something the OP's husband wanted to do while he could, it became clearly different and the reason why I am currently trying to travel more while I still can, so I can, in a small way, relate. I have my sight and my hearing, my problems are more mobility than any thing else and I feel like I am not able to easily go to a place like WDW.

Since no one could really tell me and I'm not even sure that ever happened, I admitted that I was seeing the OP's situation incorrectly and retracted my opinion of that situation. So I agree many posts ago to stop the hypothetical part and move on, which we all should do, but probably won't.