The 1% "renting" disabled individuals

insertclevername

This is apparently an old article but my husband just informed me of this last night.  Apparently, the wealthy have been hiring people with disabilities to accompany them to Disney, so that their kids don't have to wait in line.

https://nypost.com/2013/05/14/rich-manhattan-moms-hire-handicapped-tour-guides-so-kids-can-cut-lines-at-disney-world/

Unrelated side note:  If anyone can give me pointers on how to get articles to open in a separate link using IE that would be awesome. 

insertclevername

Sterling13 said:

My tip is to stop using IE. ;-)

I wish @Sterling13 but that is what we have at my job.

azzyberry

This has been going on for a while and because of this Disney is changing their disability program beginning in October which I am pissed about.  I have a DS with Autism and Disney's disability program has been a lifesaver when we go and now I don't know if it's going to work for us.

It sucks that people who have a disability and who rely on this program to try and have an enjoyable experience are now the ones that have to suffer the consequences because of the assholes who took advantage.

https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/23/travel/disney-disability-policy-changes/index.html?iref=allsearch

insertclevername

@mabelshesthebombthat is really upsetting that they are changing the policies partially because of the jackholes that are abusing the system. 

insertclevername

azzyberry said:

This has been going on for a while and because of this Disney is changing their disability program beginning in October which I am pissed about.  I have a DS with Autism and Disney's disability program has been a lifesaver when we go and now I don't know if it's going to work for us.

It sucks that people who have a disability and who rely on this program to try and have an enjoyable experience are now the ones that have to suffer the consequences because of the assholes who took advantage.

https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/23/travel/disney-disability-policy-changes/index.html?iref=allsearch

I am really sorry @azzyberryit is really awful.  Their new disability "fast pass" system is not a great solution for children with autism or some other disabilities. 

azzyberry

NYMama1 said:

azzyberry said:

This has been going on for a while and because of this Disney is changing their disability program beginning in October which I am pissed about.  I have a DS with Autism and Disney's disability program has been a lifesaver when we go and now I don't know if it's going to work for us.

It sucks that people who have a disability and who rely on this program to try and have an enjoyable experience are now the ones that have to suffer the consequences because of the assholes who took advantage.

https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/23/travel/disney-disability-policy-changes/index.html?iref=allsearch

I am really sorry @azzyberryit is really awful.  Their new disability "fast pass" system is not a great solution for children with autism or some other disabilities. 

Thank you @NyMama1.  My siggie picture was taken at Disneyland in May and my DS had a great time with minimal issues and it was largely because of the assistance of the disability program.  We were planning on going back at christmas but now I'm not sure.  The new program may work fine for people in wheelchairs who have physical disabilities, but for people like my DS who have neurological or intellectual disabilities - not so much.

catycate

I am pissed at the changes, too. I was a special ed teacher and know for a fact the new rules make the guest assistance passes completely worthless for many of the families that I care deeply about. I signed a petition- it been going around FB. Who knows if these things do anything, but Disney is usually great about helping special needs families, so hopefully they will listen!

virgin4lyfe

This pisses me off SO MUCH.
Mostly because my mom is actually disabled but doesn't "look" like it so when she uses the mobile carts and stuff at the stores we get bitchy looks.
But the fact that people lie about it is probably the reason people are so skeptical.

azzyberry

Luhdashuh said:

MabelShesTheBomb said:

In all fairness even though I understand that Disney can not in any way support this practice I don't think this in and of itself would be enough for a policy change because in these cases at least there actually WAS someone with disabilities with the rest of the family who would have needed special access. I think the more likely culprit was the face that Disney can not legally require any proof of disability at all under any circumstances. Therefore people can claim a disability who don't have anyone disabled with them and Disney must give them a pass. The probably was probably the people just flat out lying.

This, I know people who have lied to get the pass. They are trying to take away any advantage it gives so people stop lying. I would hope there would be special consideration for those who need more specific accommodations.

There won't be.  Because of the HIPAA laws they can not legally ask for proof of my DS's disability and a lot of kids with Autism don't look any different from a typical kid so all they have is my word and because of that we will not be given any special consideration.  Planning a trip to Disney for a special needs child brings a whole host of complication/obstacles that parents of typical children don't ever have to think about and now they are making it a lot more complicated that the trip probably won't even be worth it.  It's just a shame that Disney has decided to take away the special accommodations for those that actually need it because a few assholes decided to take advantage.  I don't think it's fair that we have to suffer the consequences of their actions. 

MrsT0514

Wow.. that's just awful.

Spin313

azzyberry said:

This has been going on for a while and because of this Disney is changing their disability program beginning in October which I am pissed about.  I have a DS with Autism and Disney's disability program has been a lifesaver when we go and now I don't know if it's going to work for us.

It sucks that people who have a disability and who rely on this program to try and have an enjoyable experience are now the ones that have to suffer the consequences because of the assholes who took advantage.

https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/23/travel/disney-disability-policy-changes/index.html?iref=allsearch

In fairness, the article says that guests who have difficulties due to the new policy can seek additional assistance at guest services. I've always had great CS from Disney, and I'm sure they are going to try to do their best for guests who have been negatively affected by the change.