Possible Changes coming to the Guest Assistance Cards (GAC)

[ddbowdoin]

Unfortunately - that would raise lawsuits as it violates ADA. You can't burden the people to prove their disability or access to accommodation except in special exceptions where it can be shown its necessary to maintain safety (there is a lot of text regarding powered vehicles).

The issue is today, the accommodation is so 'great', it's attractive for others to abuse. If you made the accommodation EQUAL to everyone else, there is less incentive to abuse. Doing that means making people wait, in a method that is suitable to their need, similar in duration to everyone else.

just like you can't burden people to prove who they are when they step into the ballot box...

I say ADA policies need revamping, all we do is bend over for the smallest minority groups in this country just to MAKE SURE we don't offend or inconvenience someone

 

[flynnibus]

In a few Google searches, I could only find ADA verbiage that addressed the width of queues and the gradient of ground elevations that allow a wheelchair to safely navigate the queue

You should browse the technical assistance manual for title III which helps translate the law and accessibility guidelines
http://www.ada.gov/taman3.html

 

[flynnibus]

just like you can't burden people to prove who they are when they step into the ballot box...

I say ADA policies need revamping, all we do is bend over for the smallest minority groups in this country just to MAKE SURE we don't offend or inconvenience someone

Would you like to be burdened to prove you are physically fit before riding any ride?

It's about equality... you wouldn't want to be burdened, why should they?

 

[ddbowdoin]

Would you like to be burdened to prove you are physically fit before riding any ride?

It's about equality... you wouldn't want to be burdened, why should they?

oh here we go with the equality spiel now...

about as awesome as this... http://unfaircampaign.org/

 

[M.rudolf]

oh here we go with the equality spiel now...

about as awesome as this... http://unfaircampaign.org/

Until you are in a disabled persons shoes please don't judge them. What you don't want equality? It's funny equality is a burden until some takes your rights

 

[ddbowdoin]

Until you are in a disabled persons shoes please don't judge them. What you don't want equality? It's funny equality is a burden until some takes your rights

I have bad eye sight... next time I go to a Pats game I'll make sure to ask guest services if I can get front row on the 50 yard line instead of my nose bleed seats.

disabled ... an extremely subjective term in 2012

also, going to Disney is not a right pal

 

[M.rudolf]

I have bad eye sight... next time I go to a Pats game I'll make sure to ask guest services if I can get front row on the 50 yard line instead of my nose bleed seats.

disabled ... an extremely subjective term in 2012

also, going to Disney is not a right pal

I agree some people do abuse the system but not all do, you can't throw everyone under the bus because a few idiots are taking advantage of the system. Disabled has always been a subjective term. No one says its a right buddy but my money is just as good as yours, I've never asked anyone to pay my way, on that one your are out of line

 

[ddbowdoin]

I agree some people do abuse the system but not all do, you can't throw everyone under the bus because a few idiots are taking advantage of the system. Disabled has always been a subjective term

neither one of us has an actual figure to point to... and that's because we can't legally ask for people to present documentation when receiving a GAC.

see the point, until they step up and require such documentation people like myself will always have assumptions.

it's same issue women and minorities face with affirmative action and title-9... it's the same old jazz, new topic

 

[M.rudolf]

neither one of us has an actual figure to point to... and that's because we can't legally ask for people to present documentation when receiving a GAC.

see the point, until they step up and require such documentation people like myself will always have assumptions.

it's same issue women and minorities face with affirmative action and title-9... it's the same old jazz, new topic

I do agree but how is it any of anyone's business here, it effects so few people. If people are enjoying their vacation what's the issue
What you don't get is you have no legal or moral right to ask for documentation, some things are no one else's business.
Why make assumptions does it truly hurt you so bad that people other than yourself are given privileges

 

[DisneySaint]

I do agree but how is it any of anyone's business here, it effects so few people. If people are enjoying their vacation what's the issue
What you don't get is you have no legal or moral right to ask for documentation, some things are no one else's business.
Why make assumptions does it truly hurt you so bad that people other than yourself are given privileges

I agree with this. Igorance is bliss. As I mentioned earlier, the LARGE majority of guests are average Johnny Comelately who are obvlivious that things like this even exist. Hell, I had been to Disney 15+ times before I worked there and had never even heard of a GAC card. We are a minority, the hardcore Disneyphiles who are OCD with knowing every detail of everything and are so deeply concerned with any facet of anything portentially ruining any piece of magic. It's the same logic that's got the long-dead Save the Adventurers club thread still wading up to Page 1 every day.

Nonetheless, for overall park operations something certainly needs to be done with this antiqutated system. Think of it like this: Let's say a store gives out a promo code to all of its employees to use to get 50% off all their merchandise. Well one guy tells another who tells another and suddenly there is an epic amount of people using the promo code, many of whom have no ties to the store. Unfortunately the thread of karma, bad voodoo, etc. are not enough to demotivate people from abusing these things. If there are no tangible real-world consequences, people will do whatever they want.

Sidebar: In my opinion, there is too much of a philisophy that "Disney needs to do as much as they can to accomodate as many people as they can, regardless of the consequences to everyone else." I can unequivocally say that in my life I have never, ever seen a place which already goes so far above and beyond to make everyone equal.

 

[flynnibus]

oh here we go with the equality spiel now...

Equity spiel?

ITS THE ENTIRE POINT OF THE LAW

To try to ensure those that are disabled are not discriminated against for their disability and to try to provide reasonable accommodation for them so they can be as equal as possible.

People here are being absurd simply because Disney is going ABOVE AND BEYOND the law. If you want to cry over 'its not fair' take it to Disney.. not the disabled, not the law itself.

 

[flynnibus]

I have bad eye sight... next time I go to a Pats game I'll make sure to ask guest services if I can get front row on the 50 yard line instead of my nose bleed seats.

It's not the stadium's responsibility to give you glasses to correct your vision. And I'm sure they'd be happy to point you to the big jumbotrons to help you see the action.

also, going to Disney is not a right pal

No, but being able to go out in public places and places of public accommodation without being discriminated against IS THE LAW. So as long as there is a reasonable accommodation the facility can make, they are required to.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Equity spiel?

ITS THE ENTIRE POINT OF THE LAW

To try to ensure those that are disabled are not discriminated against for their disability and to try to provide reasonable accommodation for them so they can be as equal as possible.

People here are being absurd simply because Disney is going ABOVE AND BEYOND the law. If you want to cry over 'its not fair' take it to Disney.. not the disabled, not the law itself.

I still stand on the subjectivity of the term disabled...

Since the law doesn't require proof of disability I stand by my notion that "my child has ADD and can't wait in long lines" is a pathetic use of the law.

Do you need proof to obtain a handicap plate? of course... why should this be any different

 

[nytimez]

I have bad eye sight... next time I go to a Pats game I'll make sure to ask guest services if I can get front row on the 50 yard line instead of my nose bleed seats.

disabled ... an extremely subjective term in 2012

also, going to Disney is not a right pal

Ah, Pats fans. So you ARE disabled.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Ah, Pats fans. So you ARE disabled.

AH, you must be a giants fan... lol

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm sure this has been brought up, but if Al is correct, and DLR is going to revamp its GAC, I'm willing to bet they go with a scheme similar to that used at my home park: you arrive at the entrance with an access pass, and it is stamped with the time in the future that you'd be riding had you waited in line at that point. Still better than actually waiting in line, so still some incentive for abuse, but much less than there is now.

 

[flynnibus]

it's same issue women and minorities face with affirmative action and title-9... it's the same old jazz, new topic

Sorry - now you show your true colors and ignorance here. This is nothing like affirmative action, and shows your issue with this is really rooted in jealously.

This is about EQUALITY (not the same thing as affirmative action) - and because Disney is erring to CUSTOMER SERVICE, being LAZY, and UNETHICAL people are abusing it.. you are taking out your hatred on the innocent. Point the finger at Disney, the liars and moochers. Not be jealous because Disney puts customer experience so high and lacks meaningful discouragement against moochers.

 

[flynnibus]

I still stand on the subjectivity of the term disabled...

I don't disagree - but the reality is the law is written to broadly encompass any impairment that hinders 'major life functions'. That interpretation is up to case law.

Since the law doesn't require proof of disability I stand by my notion that "my child has ADD and can't wait in long lines" is a pathetic use of the law.

What that can be is an example of a pathetic person if they are lying. The fact Disney gives them 'front of the line' is Disney's choice and little to do with the actual law. Your beef is with Disney.

Do you need proof to obtain a handicap plate? of course... why should this be any different

Because it is different - and one is used for very specific mobility impairments, the other is about life impairments.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Sorry - now you show your true colors and ignorance here. This is nothing like affirmative action, and shows your issue with this is really rooted in jealously.

This is about EQUALITY (not the same thing as affirmative action) - and because Disney is erring to CUSTOMER SERVICE, being LAZY, and UNETHICAL people are abusing it.. you are taking out your hatred on the innocent. Point the finger at Disney, the liars and moochers. Not be jealous because Disney puts customer experience so high and lacks meaningful discouragement against moochers.

I'm pointing to why such sentiments exist when accountability is not clear and present.

If you don't require documentation, there will ALWAYS be a mentality that questions the validity of such persons using a specific program, in this case a GAC.

I alluded to affirmative action and Title-9 programs as they have had a massive backlash in society, whereas as the intentions of a program created a negative connotation amongst the general population. It is NOT the same in practice, I was not making that connection... but there are similarities to how people perceive such a program.

There is no ignorance, no "jealousy"... merely principle and accountability. The fact that ADA laws prohibit corporations and organizations from requiring medical documentation to prove disability is simply mind boggling. In order to receive any other benefit in society... such as SS disability insurance/payments, proof must be made. I see no reason why Disney shouldn't also require such.

I never attacked specific individuals, or disabled people in general... I'm merely attacking the law and how its implemented at Disney, because it allows rampant abuse to exist. Ultimately, this does nothing but harm individuals who truly need a GAC because the general public WILL ALWAYS raise an eye to such programs that give blanket policies without just cause.

 

[flynnibus]

If you don't require documentation, there will ALWAYS be a mentality that questions the validity of such persons using a specific program, in this case a GAC.

Only when you make an assumption of dishonest people. True in a large society that is hard to avoid.. but if one always assumes the worst, you will create it eventually.

I alluded to affirmative action and Title-9 programs as they have had a massive backlash in society, whereas as the intentions of a program created a negative connotation amongst the general population. It is NOT the same in practice, I was not making that connection... but there are similarities to how people perceive such a program.

Again - such thoughts are based on the premise 'they are getting something I am not' or 'they are taking something away from me'. These are thoughts based on Disney's actions - not the law.

Do you honestly feel the same jealously or 'backlash' because the bathroom in your resturant is a little larger.. or the aisle at the grocery story is more managable? Do you really wish you could wear those horrible IR headphones when you are at the movie theater?

There is no ignorance, no "jealousy"... merely principle and accountability. The fact that ADA laws prohibit corporations and organizations from requiring medical documentation to prove disability is simply mind boggling. In order to receive any other benefit in society... such as SS disability insurance/payments, proof must be made. I see no reason why Disney shouldn't also require such.

Because you have this fatal flaw that you see it as a 'benefit' when in reality it's not about gain, but equality. The example from before applies 100%.. how would you feel if you had to document you were fit to ride every attraction or before you were allowed in the Disney Parks.. you wouldn't find it all that pleasant and desirable.

I never attacked specific individuals, or disabled people in general... I'm merely attacking the law and how its implemented at Disney, because it allows rampant abuse to exist

Blame Disney - that's where the flaws are..

Ultimately, this does nothing but harm individuals who truly need a GAC because the general public WILL ALWAYS raise an eye to such programs that give blanket policies without just cause.

I think somebody needed more sunday school...