disabilities assistance Abuse

[DisneyOma]

I was only challenged once this past August when I used DAS (first trip with it, what a difference! No ride in the ambulance to the ER- yay!) and it was a little unnerving. We were using my return time for FOP, and some man called out to us from the standby queue and asked if Fastpass was working again. I just paused, turned to him and said "No, it's not" and continued in. But it made me anxious to have someone calling out to me like that.

 

[BroganMc]

DAS was designed around the needs of autistic kids. They later defined it as "any need that created line anxiety". Before GAC, disability needs were based around wheelchairs. GAC was to service everyone with health issues and had different access types. Those echo were allowed to use a stroller as a wheelchair. Those whip needed only to avoid stairs. And the much coveted those who got the immediate alternate entry stamp.

By adding the return times, Disney made disabled folks wait longer under the principle it was equal access to non-disabled folks. All theme parks do the same now. It doesn't take into account that the stamina of a disabled person may be less or they may be physically unable to do as much.

For instance Magic Kingdom is not a big draw to me because 70% of the rides I cannot do. They are too old and inaccessible. And yet I pay the same for theme park ticket as everyone else.

I have met many fakers along the way. The most maddening ones I encounter in the parking lots. I drive a ramp van and am usually by myself. There's no way I can get into or out of my car if someone Parks or leave something in the hatch marks. Handicapped parking is usually full at the resorts so I end up parking at the far end of the lot next to the maintenance equipment. It's the only way to be sure I can get back in my car. At home I'm parking at the far end buy a dumpster or a light pole when I go out shopping so some idiot doesn't block me out of my car. The worst abusers are those " I'll just be a minute" delivery drivers who will double Park and block two handicap spots.

But I do not have time or energy to brood over the wannabes. My body gives me enough pain and slows me down quite enough to occupy my day. If they want to rack up Bad Karma or God's Wrath, that's their business.

It does concern me that Disney set up a disability program intentionally designed around invisible disabilities that can be easily faked and require no medical proof. But only in that those of us with very visible disabilities are now being openly denied the disability program and encouraged to use the paid option Genie Plus instead.

As for the service dog abuse, the worst abuse I saw was the dog in Epcot clearly not trying to be around a crowd. She was very friendly, too friendly. Easily came up to other people licking them and even stole somebody's hotdog. Now she was friendly but imagine if you had a dog that nipped others. That should get you and the dog banned from Disney parks.

 

[Evita_W]

DAS was designed around the needs of autistic kids. They later defined it as "any need that created line anxiety". Before GAC, disability needs were based around wheelchairs. GAC was to service everyone with health issues and had different access types. Those echo were allowed to use a stroller as a wheelchair. Those whip needed only to avoid stairs. And the much coveted those who got the immediate alternate entry stamp.

By adding the return times, Disney made disabled folks wait longer under the principle it was equal access to non-disabled folks. All theme parks do the same now. It doesn't take into account that the stamina of a disabled person may be less or they may be physically unable to do as much.

For instance Magic Kingdom is not a big draw to me because 70% of the rides I cannot do. They are too old and inaccessible. And yet I pay the same for theme park ticket as everyone else.

I have met many fakers along the way. The most maddening ones I encounter in the parking lots. I drive a ramp van and am usually by myself. There's no way I can get into or out of my car if someone Parks or leave something in the hatch marks. Handicapped parking is usually full at the resorts so I end up parking at the far end of the lot next to the maintenance equipment. It's the only way to be sure I can get back in my car. At home I'm parking at the far end buy a dumpster or a light pole when I go out shopping so some idiot doesn't block me out of my car. The worst abusers are those " I'll just be a minute" delivery drivers who will double Park and block two handicap spots.

But I do not have time or energy to brood over the wannabes. My body gives me enough pain and slows me down quite enough to occupy my day. If they want to rack up Bad Karma or God's Wrath, that's their business.

It does concern me that Disney set up a disability program intentionally designed around invisible disabilities that can be easily faked and require no medical proof. But only in that those of us with very visible disabilities are now being openly denied the disability program and encouraged to use the paid option Genie Plus instead.

As for the service dog abuse, the worst abuse I saw was the dog in Epcot clearly not trying to be around a crowd. She was very friendly, too friendly. Easily came up to other people licking them and even stole somebody's hotdog. Now she was friendly but imagine if you had a dog that nipped others. That should get you and the dog banned from Disney parks.

Service dogs, real or fake that nip will get you kicked out of the parks, DH has seen it happen. As for people who are faking, you honestly don't know who is or isn't faking or who has just dropped off their grandma closer to the entrance and is now parking or who needs a DAS or doesn't just by looking at them and no, the DAS wasn't created around autism, it was one of the needs it was designed to address, but there are many others and that comes directly from Disney executives that were responsible for the DAS system that DH personally spoke with when they were coming out with the DAS.

And I have only seen one person mention they were denied a DAS initially and they spoke with Disability Services and the issue was corrected.

 

[DisneyOma]

DAS was designed around the needs of autistic kids. They later defined it as "any need that created line anxiety". Before GAC, disability needs were based around wheelchairs. GAC was to service everyone with health issues and had different access types. Those echo were allowed to use a stroller as a wheelchair. Those whip needed only to avoid stairs. And the much coveted those who got the immediate alternate entry stamp.

By adding the return times, Disney made disabled folks wait longer under the principle it was equal access to non-disabled folks. All theme parks do the same now. It doesn't take into account that the stamina of a disabled person may be less or they may be physically unable to do as much.

For instance Magic Kingdom is not a big draw to me because 70% of the rides I cannot do. They are too old and inaccessible. And yet I pay the same for theme park ticket as everyone else.

As Evita_W stated above, DAS was not designed just for autistic kids, because if it was, then you are saying the GAC did nothing for them. DAS removed the stamina/mobility disabilities, as those are met by using a mobility device. To avoid stairs, let the CM know.

Also, consider that not all disabilities are health issues, right?

Some theme parks do offer discounts for guests with disabilities who cannot ride a lot of attractions, or they give a discount/free pass to a companion. Disney does not because they have so many different levels of attractions, from shows, street performers (past tense now) and some of the most accessible attractions around.

Don't forget the free parking at resorts for a vehicle with a hangtag, and if you really want to think about stuff, think about how in the US, you can apply for this: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/access-pass.htm

 

[Kimly]

This whole thread is… ouch! Judge-y much?! Many Disabilities are invisible, my 13 year old daughter has JRA, my 11 year old is deaf and my husband has a fusion in his foot; all of which invisible, & would allow us to have a handicap parking pass (which we don’t, but could get ) and allow us to use DAS. We look like a fit and “ healthy “ family, and I’m sure people assume and pass judgment, but shame on them because you never know what other people are dealing with.

 

[OurBigTrip]

This whole thread is… ouch! Judge-y much?! Many Disabilities are invisible, my 13 year old daughter has JRA, my 11 year old is deaf and my husband has a fusion in his foot; all of which invisible, & would allow us to have a handicap parking pass (which we don’t, but could get ) and allow us to use DAS. We look like a fit and “ healthy “ family, and I’m sure people assume and pass judgment, but shame on them because you never know what other people are dealing with.

Since you brought it up, I am curious as to why a DAS would be issued for someone who is deaf…what does not being able to hear have to do with needing to wait outside of the standard queue?

And a fusion in a foot sounds like a mobility issue - why would a DAS be issue for a mobility issue?

 

[HopperFan]

Since you brought it up, I am curious as to why a DAS would be issued for someone who is deaf…what does not being able to hear have to do with needing to wait outside of the standard queue?

And a fusion in a foot sounds like a mobility issue - why would a DAS be issue for a mobility issue?

I have JRA and do not believe it qualifies, it's impact would be more mobility related at Disney.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I have JRA and do not believe it qualifies, it's impact would be more mobility related at Disney.

I wasn’t sure what JRA is, so didn’t want to comment , but thank you!

There really aren’t “disabilities that qualify for DAS” because the same disability can manifest itself differently in each person, resulting in different needs, which may or may not be accommodated by DAS.

 

[bookgirl]

It does concern me that Disney set up a disability program intentionally designed around invisible disabilities that can be easily faked and require no medical proof.

Proof is not a Disney issue, that is a Federal Issue. ADA sets the boundaries for what can be asked or answered. As someone who had to deal with accessibility to the public in my work life I was hampered by what I could and could not ask, even when I knew someone was lying or abusing the system.

I say this as someone who does have to have accommodations (and does not always qualify or get them) in my own life and as someone who has to be on the other side of the counter so to speak.

I actually think that the 'how does waiting in a line present an issue' is a great leveler of people who truly need accommodation and those who don't, but in a way I do wish that the law made it a little easier to require some sort of 'proof'.

 

[tinkychloe]

Now that regular people can pay for lightning lane access, I don't think there's any way for someone in the regular line to even know that you're using DAS.

They'll just judge you for spending more money than them now. Big win!

I'm glad that there are others using the 'fastpass' line again. On my last trip, when guests in the standby line would ask the CM why I was able to get a fastpass, he or she would respond to the guest that I was using a disability pass. I always felt uncomfortable with them loudly announcing that to everyone around me. Hopefully now it will be a little bit more discrete.

 

[DisSurfer878]

I'm just going to put a vent here. Without Fastpass at DLand, and Genie+("fastpass") now a surcharge at WDW, the number of people I've seen posting in various Disney groups on many platforms asking how to get a disability pass because "grandma has a bum knee" or "my aunt can't walk far" and so they shouldn't be "forced" to stand in lines so how do I get the DAS for them? IS DRIVING ME NUTS. And then they get CRAZY MAD when someone tells them DAS is not for mobility issues. And then all the misinformation! Random people being like oh if they have bad knees they qualify for the DAS. NOPE, not how it works. It's been 100 times worse in the last 2-3 months and it's honestly making me so irritated. It'd be one thing if they asked and accepted the "no" but they never do! They get angry, argumentative, and try to find ways around it. Maybe this isn't the place for it, but it's definitely upsetting to see multiple times a day everyday across multiple spaces.

 

[mamabunny]

I'm just going to put a vent here. Without Fastpass at DLand, and Genie+("fastpass") now a surcharge at WDW, the number of people I've seen posting in various Disney groups on many platforms asking how to get a disability pass because "grandma has a bum knee" or "my aunt can't walk far" and so they shouldn't be "forced" to stand in lines so how do I get the DAS for them? IS DRIVING ME NUTS. And then they get CRAZY MAD when someone tells them DAS is not for mobility issues. And then all the misinformation! Random people being like oh if they have bad knees they qualify for the DAS. NOPE, not how it works. It's been 100 times worse in the last 2-3 months and it's honestly making me so irritated. It'd be one thing if they asked and accepted the "no" but they never do! They get angry, argumentative, and try to find ways around it. Maybe this isn't the place for it, but it's definitely upsetting to see multiple times a day everyday across multiple spaces.

So, the next time that someone *here* says they are having trouble getting through to set up their DAS, let's all spare a thought for those poor CMs trying to deal with all of this mess.

When you look at the front page of this forum, all of the posts lately are about DAS. How to get it, how to deal with the "video visit" system, who qualifies... It feels like that's all we talk about now.

I get it - lately, I have been "educating" all of my medical team as I see them about *their* misconceptions regarding the DAS - most of them still believed that the old GAC system was still in place, and the few that knew that DAS had replaced it were still wrong about how it worked, what it covered, and the fact that a "doctor's letter" was needed - or would help at all.

 

[DisSurfer878]

So, the next time that someone *here* says they are having trouble getting through to set up their DAS, let's all spare a thought for those poor CMs trying to deal with all of this mess.

When you look at the front page of this forum, all of the posts lately are about DAS. How to get it, how to deal with the "video visit" system, who qualifies... It feels like that's all we talk about now.

I get it - lately, I have been "educating" all of my medical team as I see them about *their* misconceptions regarding the DAS - most of them still believed that the old GAC system was still in place, and the few that knew that DAS had replaced it were still wrong about how it worked, what it covered, and the fact that a "doctor's letter" was needed - or would help at all.

While I understand what you're saying about being empathetic to CMs and whatnot. I think its unfair to say anyone who has been complaining or venting or frustrated by the new preregistration process is upset with CMs. They are upset with corporate Disney who does not have the program properly staffed, and by Disney's IT/software engineering team whose systems are difficult to use. It's not the CMs actually doing the system that anyone is upset with here on the Dis.

 

[Belle1962]

I’m not upset with the CM’s. You can’t really be upset with Disney IT either if they weren’t given enough resources to fully create this system-which we don’t know if it they were. I AM upset at Disney for creating a system that is not working and those people on the internet who, trying to be helpful, are giving up too much information on why they receive a DAS. With the new system, I think people who had skated by are now desperate for new information on what to say and what reason they might need to indicate for a DAS. Hopefully Disney will get their act together and either staff up the video lines or change the system. I personally would prefer if they just made us do it onsite-I’d be willing to go to someplace specific to “check in”, get the DAS and pick my 2 rides per day-but I haven’t reached the point where it would be impossible for me to do it yet.

 

[DisneyOma]

Not sure why they even have this online registration? The added DAS passes make it much too valuable and that's probably why they are getting overrun with callers. Think it's because they got rid of Fastpass, and this covers their butts somehow?

 

[DisneyOma]

I’m not upset with the CM’s. You can’t really be upset with Disney IT either if they weren’t given enough resources to fully create this system-which we don’t know if it they were. I AM upset at Disney for creating a system that is not working and those people on the internet who, trying to be helpful, are giving up too much information on why they receive a DAS. With the new system, I think people who had skated by are now desperate for new information on what to say and what reason they might need to indicate for a DAS. Hopefully Disney will get their act together and either staff up the video lines or change the system. I personally would prefer if they just made us do it onsite-I’d be willing to go to someplace specific to “check in”, get the DAS and pick my 2 rides per day-but I haven’t reached the point where it would be impossible for me to do it yet.

Or not even give the two advance DAS each day - wonder why they are doing that in the first place?

 

[Belle1962]

I can’t speak for Disney but maybe they actually realized that not everyone who has a disability or is traveling with someone with a disability can be online at 7:00 am. Or that they can’t get to a park until later. Or they think somewhere hidden in all the Genie; Genie+ and $ll there might be a potential “access” lawsuit. Or maybe someone just threw it out there and it stuck as “good pr”. Who the he** knows why Disney has been doing anything.

 

[Disneylover99]

Not sure why they even have this online registration? The added DAS passes make it much too valuable and that's probably why they are getting overrun with callers. Think it's because they got rid of Fastpass, and this covers their butts somehow?

I think they offered the passes as an incentive for people to pre-register to help alleviate lines at Guest Services in the parks. But I think Disney grossly underestimated how many people would jump on this. I’m surprised they’re still offering the 2 extra passes per day at this point.

 

[mamabunny]

While I understand what you're saying about being empathetic to CMs and whatnot. I think its unfair to say anyone who has been complaining or venting or frustrated by the new preregistration process is upset with CMs. They are upset with corporate Disney who does not have the program properly staffed, and by Disney's IT/software engineering team whose systems are difficult to use. It's not the CMs actually doing the system that anyone is upset with here on the Dis.

I’m not upset with the CM’s. You can’t really be upset with Disney IT either if they weren’t given enough resources to fully create this system-which we don’t know if it they were. I AM upset at Disney for creating a system that is not working and those people on the internet who, trying to be helpful, are giving up too much information on why they receive a DAS. With the new system, I think people who had skated by are now desperate for new information on what to say and what reason they might need to indicate for a DAS. Hopefully Disney will get their act together and either staff up the video lines or change the system. I personally would prefer if they just made us do it onsite-I’d be willing to go to someplace specific to “check in”, get the DAS and pick my 2 rides per day-but I haven’t reached the point where it would be impossible for me to do it yet.

So... I'm not upset with the CMs. I'm not upset with Disney IT, and I certainly understand why everyone is frustrated with the situation.

Personally, I believe that everyone at Disney underestimated the number of people who were going to be determined to get those advanced DAS selections. Based on anecdotal evidence, it certainly appears that there are some folks who are seeking those not for legitimate reasons, but because they view them as "free" FastPass replacements.

I am frustrated that the situation is literally sucking all the bandwidth out of the (normally) somewhat diverse conversation here; it feels like all we are talking about is DAS, and how to get through on the video calls. I am frustrated that the DAS system is basically under fire by scammers. I am upset with the situation as a whole, but not the CMs. They are just doing their jobs. I am not upset with Disney IT. They were merely working with the parameters given them. I do personally believe that when it became evident how overwhelmed the system was, Disney should have responded (minimally) with greater staffing levels.

And I am not upset with anyone who is seeking to the use the new system (for legitimate reasons). I am not upset any with anyone in this thread.

I *am* sorry that my words were apparently misconstrued, however.

I will refrain from commenting further on DAS, past/present/future, I promise.

 

[CBMom01]

No system is perfect, and any system perceived as offering advantage will be abused. I’m sure there are people sitting on hold all day all day because they are sure this will be a huge advantage, who will then complain when they realize it isn’t. Forget ‘em and enjoy your trip