DAS Pass Application Process Not Friendly To Those With Autism

[NightGuardianAngel]

I have Autism (Asperger’s Syndrome) and instead of an interview, I wish I can just get a note from my doctor (with his or her contact information) and give the note (including the doctor’s letterhead) the cast member to get the DAS pass. For many of us adults on the Autism Spectrum, communication and talking is not our forte and it would be a lot more accommodating to give them a note and they can call the doctor if they have any question and I can give the doctor permission on a recorded call to discuss anything they require to approve me for the pass with the cast member. Expecting Autistic people to undergo an interview, at least for me, is very overwhelming and intimidating. In other parks, as far as I know, will accept a note from the doctor with their contact information and signature on their letterhead. I could also take a picture of the note along with a front and back picture of my driver’s license on my phone and email it as well if I apply for the DAS pass ahead of time. To add, requiring a doctor’s note on their letterhead with the doctor’s contact information and a valid government issued driver’s license, passport, or photo ID will prevent or make it more difficult to abuse the DAS pass.

For the most part, I usually never mind standing in line, but I thought I put this out for many who are on the Autism Spectrum who really need that pass, but have nobody else to speak on their behalf. There are many solo travelers on the Autism Spectrum.

To my understanding, HIPAA laws do not preclude Disney from requiring a doctor’s note to receive special accommodations. HIPAA only applies to health care facilities and entities and Disney is not a health care entity. They cannot require, however, the doctor’s note to state the diagnosis, but can require the note to explain in detail what accommodations they need and specify the actual accommodation that requires the DAS pass, in order to get the DAS pass. In fact, Six Flags does require documentation especially for such accommodations and Disney should do the same to prevent abuse and not just rely on an honor system.

 

[SirDuff]

You are correct that HIPAA doesn’t preclude (has nothing to do with DAS) but ADA lose DO preclude asking for a note.

 

[Lewisc]

You are correct that HIPAA doesn’t preclude (has nothing to do with DAS) but ADA lose DO preclude asking for a note.

6 flags requires a note. They use a third party which presumably follows ADA procedures and rules. Different then a park employee asking to see a note.
https://accessibilitycard.org/

 

[SirDuff]

6 flags requires a note. They use a third party which presumably follows ADA procedures and rules. Different then a park employee asking to see a note.
https://accessibilitycard.org/

They also, from what I understand, offer a "better than" experience which has different rules (e.g. allows companies to ask for proof).

 

[Lewisc]

They also, from what I understand, offer a "better than" experience which has different rules (e.g. allows companies to ask for proof).

It sounds about the same as Disney.
From 6 Flags website
Our new policy is in full compliance with both HIPAA and the ADA. We will not require you to share the nature of your disability. We only require a signed doctor’s note indicating that your disability or other impairment prevents you from standing in a ride queue for extended periods of time.

 

[Jellybean9]

They also, from what I understand, offer a "better than" experience which has different rules (e.g. allows companies to ask for proof).

Disney offers a “better than” experience as well. Access to 2 lightening lanes a day in advance and the ability to acquire your next DAS pass as soon as tapping into your existing pass (exactly like paid Genie+ but with access to every single ride, not subject to a availability).

 

[bambialways4ever]

Firstly, there IS a chat feature for the video chat though. It's listed right on the page. Secondly, there's also nothing stopping you from getting it IN the parks, in which case you are allowed to write a note and hand it to the cast member and don't have to speak. Finally, there is nothing preventing you from writing a note in advance and reading off of it verbatim.

We just did the video chat yesterday and the CM was not sitting around chatting. They said "Good Morning"
"Why do you need the pass"
"Ok let me get you registered and take a photo"
"Would you like to make advance attractions now? I can transfer you".

That's it. One actual sentence explain, and you simply saying "ok" over and over again.

 

[redberyl]

Disney can't look at doctors notes but they will look at a note you have written yourself if it would be easier to explain your needs in writing ahead of time.

 

[NightGuardianAngel]

Disney offers a “better than” experience as well. Access to 2 lightening lanes a day in advance and the ability to acquire your next DAS pass as soon as tapping into your existing pass (exactly like paid Genie+ but with access to every single ride, not subject to a availability).

Getting DAS in advance is very similar to Fast Pass Plus and unfortunately, since Genie Plus costs $15 more per person per day, you have some dishonest people that try to abuse it and lie about having a disability just because they do not want to pony up the $15 per day for Genie Plus, and unfortunately it hurts those who truly and genuinely need this accommodation. This is also why I feel like there needs to be a vetting process to get the pass that uses more than just an honor system. Disney could hire a third party company that is compliant with HIPAA and ADA, like Six Flags, to accept and process the documentation in order yo issue the DAS pass. However, the documentation should only be limited to the accommodations needed and should not disclose the disability or medical condition (which is private information) the guest is diagnosed with.

 

[DisneyOma]

Getting DAS in advance is very similar to Fast Pass Plus and unfortunately, since Genie Plus costs $15 more per person per day, you have some dishonest people that try to abuse it and lie about having a disability just because they do not want to pony up the $15 per day for Genie Plus, and unfortunately it hurts those who truly and genuinely need this accommodation. This is also why I feel like there needs to be a vetting process to get the pass that uses more than just an honor system. Disney could hire a third party company that is compliant with HIPAA and ADA, like Six Flags, to accept and process the documentation in order yo issue the DAS pass. However, the documentation should only be limited to the accommodations needed and should not disclose the disability or medical condition (which is private information) the guest is diagnosed with.

So everyone will just get that doctor's note. Unscrupulous doctors have been offering to write "front of the line" passes for decades - search here on the DIs for some heated discussions in the past. What if an issue comes up while you are at the park? That happened to me, and getting the DAS on our second day saved the trip.

You can get the DAS at the park, just like in the past. Write yourself a script if you need to. Practice it at home. Role play with a trusted adult.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Getting DAS in advance is very similar to Fast Pass Plus and unfortunately, since Genie Plus costs $15 more per person per day, you have some dishonest people that try to abuse it and lie about having a disability just because they do not want to pony up the $15 per day for Genie Plus, and unfortunately it hurts those who truly and genuinely need this accommodation. This is also why I feel like there needs to be a vetting process to get the pass that uses more than just an honor system. Disney could hire a third party company that is compliant with HIPAA and ADA, like Six Flags, to accept and process the documentation in order yo issue the DAS pass. However, the documentation should only be limited to the accommodations needed and should not disclose the disability or medical condition (which is private information) the guest is diagnosed with.

check the internet for the ability to get Doctor notes. How do either 3rd party or Disney prove note is true note? just like the fake notes form service animals

 

[SueM in MN]

I’m going to make a final post, then close this thread. The idea of ‘faking’ has been discussed many times and doesn’t usually end well.

First of all, the doctor’s letter and other proofs that 6 Flags parks require for their pass are not as ‘foolproof’ as you might believe. They state this in multiple places on their website information:
« Individuals found to be fraudulently using the Attraction Access Pass will be in violation of our Guest Code of Conduct and may be subject to civil penalties. Visitors may be asked to leave the Park without any refund. »
» Remember that guests who request the Attraction Accessibility Pass that do not have a disability or impairment will be in violation of our Guest Code of Conduct and may be subject to civil penalties. »
Even though 6 Flags says their policy does not violate the ADA, I’m not as sure of that as they are. Their website says guests with visible disabilities also need a doctor letter/ the whole registration process done. The ADA does state that proof of disability can’t be required to provide accommodation. I am not aware of any lawsuits, but there may be some.

Let‘s say Disney did decide to make DAS available only if the person brings a letter from a doctor.
- Doctors can and some do charge for writing letters for their patients; it does take time, so it’s only fair for the doctor to do.
Before Disney had DAS, they had a different card called Guest Assistance Card (GAC). Many internet blogs recommended getting a letter from the doctor before requesting GAC; many people reported getting billed by the doctor for the letter.

- Doctors could require a visit before writing a letter for DAS. In many cases, the visit would not be covered by insurance because it would not be medically necessary.
People reported this happening to them when they tried to get a letter for GAC.

- There are unscrupulous doctors who would provide letters ‘verifying’ disability to people who they know are not disabled. This happens with other things and is fraud (haven‘t seen any recently, but I used to frequently see commercials for ECVs where their doctor would certify over the phone that the caller was disabled and insurance would pay for an ECV.)
This did happen with GAC according to accounts on the internet.

- Letters are pretty easy to fake as was already mentioned by other posters. Anyone could make a fake doctor letter with fake letterhead that would look as real as a real one. Because of that, there would need to be a lot of vetting done - costly and time consuming and maybe the vetting could even be faked (using the guest‘s own phone number for ‘the doctor’s office’)

And, how to handle guests with disabilities who didn’t know they’d have to jump thru so many hoops to get assistance they need?