- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
That would not work in the US because there is no system of ‘registered disability’; there is nothing to show a person is disabled.In the U.K. we seem to largely minimise the risk of abuse by allowing organisations to request that anyone seeking assistance presents proof of registered disability. This usually also allows a carer to enter free of charge.
Some people have advocated using a Handicapped Parking permit as proof of disability, but a couple problems with that:
- not everyone who would qualify for DAS qualifies for a parking permit
- not everyone who has a parking permit needs DAS; some just need the larger space in the handicapped parking spots or need a closer spot to the entrance to get out of traffic (those are the major reasons for handicapped parking, not to minimize walking)
- many people couldn’t use the parking permit for proof because they are using it to park
The last is there are legal limits in the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) in the US around asking for proof of disability as a condition of receiving accommodation for disability.
I think part of this was a misunderstanding or poorly stated by the CMI agree. I had a really bad ankle injury (it left me with torn ligaments so poor stability and absent proprioception) and am fine everywhere except poorly lit damp steps like at splash. I just need to be able to see puddles or step edges and be confident where I’m putting my foot. Several years ago I asked if I could bypass the stairs at splash, the CMs told me I had to use the main line or get a DAS to circumvent the stairs. Guest services told me I didn’t need a DAS since it’s a mobility issue and to use an assist device. I don’t need a walker or a cane or a wheelchair: I just need to know where my foot is going and where the puddles are.
I just don’t ride splash mountain anymore and it is kind of cruddy that is the solution.
edited: for clarity
This is what the process is, and actually what the process was officially under the previous disability program.You were given bad information - you don't need a DAS to avoid the stairs, nor do you need to have an assistive device in order to avoid the stairs. The CM at Splash should have just let you avoid the stairs, as the DAS has nothing to do with that kind of need.
For Splash in specific, the process is supposed to be waiting in the regular line UNTIL getting to the point of entering the building - that’s where the stairs are.
The majority of queues at WDW are MAINSTREAM Lines, which means they are accessible thru the ‘main’ line of ‘stream’ of entry. Some are Mainstream all the way to boarding and some have a ‘pull off’ that avoids stairs or other inaccessible points.
Disney Hollywood Studio and AK were built with all Mainstream Lines. EPCOT has one attraction without a Mainstream Line - Spaceship Earth.
MK is the oldest park and was has some that were not able to be renovated to make them Mainstream. There are only a couple with stairs; the majority of the inaccessible attractions at MK don’t have stairs; they need to get people with mobility devices to the unloading point to board because the regular boarding spot is on one side of the track and the unload point is on the other side.