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To: kevkrom

If your kids are autistic (anyone with special needs), be sure to notify Disney ahead of time-

with a certification of the disability (doctor letter) and prior coordination, they will arrange special accomodations for your family- ie, no waiting in lines! And they may have other suggestions and accomodations.

(I know lines and crowds can be hellish with a special needs kiddo)


82 posted on 08/04/2010 12:35:15 PM PDT by silverleaf (Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.)
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To: silverleaf
If your kids are autistic (anyone with special needs), be sure to notify Disney ahead of time- with a certification of the disability (doctor letter) and prior coordination, they will arrange special accomodations for your family- ie, no waiting in lines! And they may have other suggestions and accomodations.

That's not entirely correct. A doctor's note does nothing, and the Disney folks will generally ignore them -- Disney follows the ADA guidelines of dealing with a person's ability to function, not a diagnosis.

What they will do, based on functional limitations, is issue a "guest assistance card" (GAC) with certain stamps/endorsements that allow the cast members at each attraction to know what accommodations might need to be made for the guest with a disability. I believe this is done on-site, and cannot be done in advance, because they issue the cards based on observable conditions.

It's not a "go to the front of the line" pass, but it could be used to, say, allow a stroller to be used as a wheelchair, and so be allowed in line, as an example.

In our family's case, despite the twins both being diagnosed as severely autistic, their ability to function as far as going to a theme park is concerned, is very minimal. Our daughter has no issues that could be addressed by a GAC, and our son is likewise mostly functional, but would need seating in shows near an easily accessible exit so we can get him out in a hurry if he has an "episode". Other than that, they're fine with the park environment and the rides. We avoid long lines anyway via fast pass and getting there early in the day.

87 posted on 08/04/2010 12:43:43 PM PDT by kevkrom (De-fund Obamacare in 2011, repeal in 2013!)
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