Disney’s Updated Disability Access Procedures

Providing a wonderful experience to every individual that visits a Disney park is of the highest concern. That’s why Disney is always trying to keep their procedures for disabled visitors up to date and accommodating.

In April of last year, the Disability Access Service Card went completely digital at Walt Disney World in Florida. Rather than write down return times for rides and other attractions on a card, cast members now scan visitors’ tickets or MagicBands.

The change allows for the disability accommodation to be integrated with My Disney Experience, a website and app for visitors of the park.

The switch to the electronic process doesn’t alter the procedures for guests that utilize the Disability Access Service Card, however. Disney said that visitors with disabilities will still need to visit each attraction in order to obtain a return time based on current wait times.

Disneyland in California had previously adopted the digital system in November of the same year.

Changes to Disney’s accommodations in recent years for people with disabilities have been highly controversial. In 2013, the company decided to do away with its Guest Assistance Card which often let individuals with special needs and those they were traveling with skip to the front of long lines for theme park rides.

Instead, the Disability Access Service Card now allows people with disabilities to obtain a return time for one attraction at a time.

Dozens of families sued Disney alleging that the policy violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and doesn’t properly address the needs of their children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Most recently, the Florida Commission on Human Relations found reason to believe that Disney discriminated against theme park visitors with developmental disabilities after changing its policy.

Disney officials have repeatedly insisted that their policies and practices for accommodating those with disabilities are in full compliance with the law. Ensuring that visitors have a magical time at any Disney park is a big concern, but another big concern is the just treatment of all visitors. Hopefully Disney can continue to keep their procedures current and ensure that they are continuously accommodating to everyone.