Yes.
Good advice.
That has been what I have been saying since this board started. Explain the needs related to the disability. From post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
(Obviously, I haven't edited it for the new
DAS, so it still says GAC, but it's pretty good otherwise)
Do certain diagnoses qualify for a GAC?
No.
Having any specific diagnosis doesn't qualify or not qualify someone for a GAC; there is no list of "appropriate" diagnoses for a GAC. Also, the CMs do not have medical training, so a specific diagnosis does not really mean much to them.
The GAC is based on
needs that the person has related to a disability, not what their diagnosis is.
The diagnosis is not really that important because people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs.*
The
GAC is given based on needs and the accommodations that meet those needs. This is not a Disney rule, this is the way that the ADA is written. According to the ADA, accommodations are
not given based on the diagnosis or specific disability; they are given based on needs that are related to a disability.*
For example, my youngest DD has cerebral palsy as her main diagnosis. Some people with cerebral palsy don't really need anything special; some might walk with a cane/crutches or use a wheelchair, but don't need anything besides an accessible line. Those people would not need a GAC.
Some people, like my DD, have additional needs that are not met just by having her wheelchair in line. I go to Guest Services and explain my DD's needs to the CMs there to get a GAC issued to her to help meet her needs.
How do I figure out what the needs are?
Think about what sorts of things happen in a day at the park and how they would affect the person with a disability. Those are the types of things you want to be able to discuss with the Cast Member at Guest Relations. Some things to consider:
- Some attractions have quieter waiting places; they are often a roped or chained off area to the side of the regular waiting area, often not a separate area. There are usually no seats in the areas, but they are wheelchair accessible. This is an example of one of those spots - this one is at The Circle of Life at Epcot in The Land. The 'regular' waiting area is to the left of the picture and the handicapped area is to the right, in a roped off part of the same room.
Not all attractions have these types of waiting areas and it is possible that the waiting area may not be available, even if there is one - it could be filled, or being used for another reason (such as a medical emergency involving another guest).
- Some children with disabilities might need to bring a stroller in line; either because they can't/won't walk in line or to give a 'safe haven' where they would not be so close to other people. A GAC could allow the stroller to be brought into lines and be treated just like a wheelchair, being brought into the Mainstream Lines. and to boarding areas.
- Does the person need a place to lie down once in a while to rest or just an air conditioned place? First Aid in any park has cots for lying down; no need for a GAC to do that.
- Is the person on medication or have a condition that may cause overheating or problems with being in the sun or heat? If so, a GAC might help with that (although most lines are shaded and many lines are indoors, so a GAC would not do a lot). A GAC may say that the person can wait out of the sun when the queue is in the sun for a prolonged period of time. Since most queues are shaded, this need is often met without needing a GAC. Guests with these types of issues also need to think about protecting themselves during the time they will be in the sun going between attractions and getting from place to place.
- Does the person with an invisible disability need extra time getting into/out of ride vehicles for those rides with moving walkways? Do they need to avoid stair. If so, a GAC might help someone who can walk by allowing boarding at the wheelchair boarding spot for those attractions. (NOTE: Wheelchair/ECV users board at the exit for those moving walkway rides without needing a GAC, but they usually wait in the regular line with everyone else until close to the regular boarding area).