New DAS System at Walt Disney World 2024

[flynnibus]

HIPAA doesn't apply (for ed to IBCCES) because the disabled person is choosing to share their medical information.

Negative Ghostrider - The choice to share information with someone has ZERO impact on the organization's requirement to protect your information. What you are confusing is the idea of who you can share WITH.

The majority of HIPAA requirements are about ensuring your information is not UNINTENTIONALLY leaked - not just who they INTENTIONALLY share with. So just because you give your information to someone (like your employer or a hospital) that does not absolve them from their obligations.

What matters in this conversation context is if the entity is even required to follow HIPAA rules as a covered entity or not. Not everyone is.

 

[Splash4eva]

You solve this one way and one way only. Require some type of documentation noone with any real disability would argue this and with the team of lawyers there has to be some loophole they can use that states it is causing operational issues bc of fraud. I dk but thats how this is solved.

 

[flynnibus]

But the ADA protection doesn't extend to families, so the legal mandate would be met without the could have, should have, would have interjection.

Not exactly - protection doesn't extend to families, but forcing the disabled person to be isolated would infringe on the disabled person's rights. That's why handicap seats have companion seats, etc.

The ambiguity comes into where the reasonable limits are.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

The other user is claiming the new terms of DAS is that it is for people with cognitive/mental disorders only, and not physical ones any more.

Which is odd, given Disney is implementing these changes to stop abuse, when in fact most people who were scamming the system would go to guest services, claiming someone in their party had autism, when they didn't, and would be given DAS.

Seems to me anyway, to clamp down on abuse would be to put less focus on cognitive issues, not more But it should be done on a case by case basis.

That's not a claim, it's something the admin of this website stated in the front page article on this news-

Notably, Disney has dramatically narrowed the scope of eligibility and now says that DAS is for guests with a "developmental disability like autism or similar.

IMO, this new set up probably won't do as much good with cutting down on fraud as some people on here think, and is also probably a huge lawsuit waiting to happen. It also sounds like it will be a huge issue to obtain for people who have physical disabilities and illnesses.

 

[Tha Realest]

The other user is claiming the new terms of DAS is that it is for people with cognitive/mental disorders only, and not physical ones any more.

Which is odd, given Disney is implementing these changes to stop abuse, when in fact most people who were scamming the system would go to guest services, claiming someone in their party had autism, when they didn't, and would be given DAS.

Seems to me anyway, to clamp down on abuse would be to put less focus on cognitive issues, not more But it should be done on a case by case basis.

I think it’s twofold.

They have made a strategic decision that the DAS is for those with developmental disabilities.*

For those with a claimed DD, they have to sufficiently establish this beforehand with Disney. I suspect they will be more rigorous in conferring DAS for a DD.

* Notwothstanding the language, I suspect GR will be able to make day-of concessions for those who don’t prequalify for DAS under a DD standard, or someone with an unusual physical impediment which would otherwise require DAS access.

 

[Brian]

I think it’s twofold.

They have made a strategic decision that the DAS is for those with developmental disabilities.*

For those with a claimed DD, they have to sufficiently establish this beforehand with Disney. I suspect they will be more rigorous in conferring DAS for a DD.

* Notwothstanding the language, I suspect GR will be able to make day-of concessions for those who don’t prequalify for DAS under a DD standard, or someone with an unusual physical impediment which would otherwise require DAS access.

Guest Relations will be under strict instructions not to grant any kind of accommodations based on disability once this program is implemented. Any and all disability inquiries will be referred to the virtual team.

 

[jaklgreen]

Or maybe they’re trying to find the thing that works the best for the most amount of people

Nobody can please everybody, especially Disney.

But DAS DID work for the most amount of people. It was fair and gave those who would not be able to enjoy the parks otherwise, the ability to do so. People with medical issues/disabilities just want to feel normal at times and shouldn't have to go through this stress and hassle just because there are those that lie and cheat.
I think a better approach would have been for Disney to start a better monitoring system and crack down on the abusers.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

It's an FAQ though and not a policy definition. Since the language says "is intended to accommodate" and not "will only accommodate", my take is that it intentionally allows for flexibility and they just want to make sure people understand they are going to be more stringent on what qualifies moving forward. The only way people will know for sure it to contact disability services and find out what the criteria are/will be.

I really wish they hadn't figured out a way to block archive.org from showing what was on this page in prior years. Somehow it seems Stitch ate it every time.

From my experience with a mother who has physical disabilities and ailments that genuinely qualify her (by her doctor's definitions) as disabled and handicapped, the existing system already make it a struggle to convince guest services to allow her into the DAS system over the past year or two. Even with clear evidence.

Saying "intended to accommodate those with autism and other developmental disabilies" is clearly meant to indicate that they don't consider physical disabilites to be within the scope of the program. And that they will, and in fact already are, taking steps to enforce that. They again have already told my mother that the existing program isn't supposed to accommodate most physical disabilities unless there is some sort of mental illness involved as well. So these policy changes have actually been ongoing for some time now, and it's unfortunate that a lot of people who genuinely need the system are likely going to be excluded.

 

[Trauma]

Guest Relations will be under strict instructions not to grant any kind of accommodations based on disability once this program is implemented. Any and all disability inquiries will be referred to the virtual team.

I don’t know how much Disney would have to pay me to work in guest relations.

Between this and G+ being a disaster it’s going to be a miserable existence.

 

[DeadyRoosevelt]

Personally, yes in general I feel like getting in a queue for an attraction that has a line, while waiting in the standby/DAS return line is simply too much of an advantage. I have no problem with a DAS guest watching a parade, eating a snack/meal, seeing a show, riding the "transportation" rides, shopping, people watching, walk through attraction, relaxing, ect while waiting for their return time. Again personally to me, this feels like an appropriate accommodation/advantage for legitimate DAS guests.

Understood. I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[nickys]

Guest Relations will be under strict instructions not to grant any kind of accommodations based on disability once this program is implemented. Any and all disability inquiries will be referred to the virtual team.

How is this going to work? Guests having to do a video call on their phone standing around GS?

How the heck can Disney have messed up this announcement so badly?
- The wording suggests one thing, yet several people on here suggesting it isn’t the case.
- No clarity on how this “toilet pass” system will work (ECVs reversing through lines, trying to pass others etc)
- International guests have zero information, U.K. agents don’t even know what’s happening and Disney refuse to do video calls even with a vpn.

But don’t worry, there are a whole 5 weeks for them to sort it out.

 

[jaklgreen]

Something I haven't seen but may have missed is the current pre-booking 2 rides with DAS. Does this new setup eliminate that? It seems like an excessive accommodation to me, so I'm wondering if Disney realized that they don't need to offer it (and that offering it encourages abuse by those who don't actually need DAS).

I agree with this. As someone who uses DAS but didn't apply online, I always have said that they should not give these out and that it would encourage people to apply even if not needed.
They gave those as an incentive to use the online chat and I think that it backfired for them. But from most reports that I have seen from other DAS users, most never even ended being able to use those 2 preselects because the timing didn't work out.

 

[Purduevian]

This is an assumption based on neurotypical norms, and doesn't account for the fact that many DAS users cannot stay an entire day in the parks, or if they can they may be doing so at a significantly slower pace than typical families.

I will agree with the idea that many people that legitimately qualify for DAS should be allowed certain accommodations/advantages due to their conditions. I personally feel like they currently go to far because they are disadvantaging the non-DAS users too much. There is a balance of how much of an advantage DAS is given to park ride capacity and everyone's opinion on that balance will be different.

Side note: There are plenty of people/groups that are not able to stay at the park all day and move slower than other guests that do NOT qualify for DAS (think all mobility challenged users, those with young children, ect.) that do not get any sort of advantage.

 

[Surferboy567]

IMO, this new set up probably won't do as much good with cutting down on fraud as some people on here think, and is also probably a huge lawsuit waiting to happen. It also sounds like it will be a huge issue to obtain for people who have physical disabilities and illnesses.

I have to agree with Merlin on this. I also think if I’m understanding this right, could lead to a lawsuit. You cannot just leave those with actual legitimate physical disabilities out and then cater to those with only cognitive disabilities. That seems like you a leaving out an actual legitimate group out on purpose and I’m not sure that sits right.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I have to agree with Merlin on this. I also think if I’m understanding this right, could lead to a lawsuit. You cannot just leave those with actual legitimate physical disabilities out and then cater to those with only cognitive disabilities. That seems like you a leaving out an actual legitimate group out on purpose and I’m not sure that sits right.

Anything in Florida leads to a lawsuit.

 

[jaklgreen]

Serious question, not trying to be rude or snarky. For people who are saying if they are denied DAS they will not go anymore, why not just purchase Genie+ and ILL? Wouldn’t that be a better solution than just choosing not to go?

Well for me, Genie+ only lets you get on a ride one time per day and the time slots are limited. I don't go on every ride and basically stick to the same few, like People Mover and Living With the Land. Only being able to go on a ride one time would pretty much cut my day in 1/2. Those with disabilities are supposed to be able to access everything just like everyone else. And Genie+ definitely does not do that.

 

[Vclguy90]

How is this going to work? Guests having to do a video call on their phone standing around GS?

How the heck can Disney have messed up this announcement so badly?
- The wording suggests one thing, yet several people on here suggesting it isn’t the case.
- No clarity on how this “toilet pass” system will work (ECVs reversing through lines, trying to pass others etc)
- International guests have zero information, U.K. agents don’t even know what’s happening and Disney refuse to do video calls even with a vpn.

But don’t worry, there are a whole 5 weeks for them to sort it out.

Exactly! Like I said, this was one thing they should've left alone, all they did was make a huge headache and stress for their already underpaid CM's so the can profitize on G+.

Also, I keep hearing the word "abuse" but what is defined as "abuse?" Is it a case by case grey area where a CM without the need of a DAS tells other paying people that they abused the service? I just don't understand what behavior from a person with DAS would indicate abuse? Running? Drinking alcohol? Riding Space Mountain? How is this measured and who is the judge to place a lifetime ban for something so grey?

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I have to agree with Merlin on this. I also think if I’m understanding this right, could lead to a lawsuit. You cannot just leave those with actual legitimate physical disabilities out and then cater to those with only cognitive disabilities. That seems like you a leaving out an actual legitimate group out on purpose and I’m not sure that sits right.

The law requires reasonable accommodation. If someone has mobility issues with no other issues, why wouldn't access to a wheelchair be a reasonable accommodation? Most attraction queues can accommodate wheelchairs and ECVs. Those that can't have special access points. Saying, "I can't physically stand for this 90-minute wait" shouldn't mean "I get to use the LL for free" when there are other reasonable options available.

 

[Ayla]

Yea, I see lawsuit after lawsuit if this starts to get out of hand. Disney should've left this alone.

LOL You think this wasn't gone over thoroughly by their legal team before it was announced?

If someone is stupid enough to sue (which there always is ), they'll quickly be reminded how large the Disney legal team is.

 

[jaklgreen]

Exactly! Like I said, this was one thing they should've left alone, all they did was make a huge headache and stress for their already underpaid CM's so the can profitize on G+.

Also, I keep hearing the word "abuse" but what is defined as "abuse?" Is it a case by case grey area where a CM without the need of a DAS tells other paying people that they abused the service? I just don't understand what behavior from a person with DAS would indicate abuse? Running? Drinking alcohol? Riding Space Mountain? How is this measured and who is the judge to place a lifetime ban for something so grey?

I imagine that they could see if someone got a DAS return time for a ride and then went into another long standby line. Although they claim that doing so is within their rules, a person is supposed to be getting DAS because they can not wait a long period of time in lines.
But then you have the outliers where some people will be having a good day and wait in line not wanting to feel like they are abusing the system.
If they really wanted to they could track your movements. I am sure that if they mapped out my movements, they will absolutely see that I spend a good chunk of time just wandering around and going to the restroom.