To: Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Thomas O. Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Jayne Parker, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer The Walt Disney Company
Ask Disney to Reinstate Guest Assistance Card and Existing Accommodations Until A Fair and Reason...
In an effort to respond to the public backlash Disney has received as a result of an exposè of blatant fraudulent use of the current Guest Assistance Cards and services, Disney has decided to change their system of accommodations.
Their new Disabled Assistance System is a flawed effort that does not effectively address deterring fraud. In reality, under the new system one could still lie about or make up a fictional disability and obtain an assistance card because Disney cannot demand written proof as dictated by the American Disabilities Act.
Even an assistance card obtained by a person with a bona fide disability could be used fraudulently to receive payment in lieu of accompanying park visitors and use the assistance services for their leisurely benefit of bypassing long wait times. Lastly, many disabilities are not physical by nature and cannot be confirmed or ruled out by visual inspection.
More importantly, the new accommodations granted by the new Disabled Assistance System will present many challenges, specifically for those with cognitive and developmental delays, sensory processing and modulation difficulties and most of those who use them for person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (which many of those with ASD suffer from all of the above mentioned). This petition asks that Disney reinstate the current Guest Assistance Card, along with the accommodations until a better solution is created, preferably with the input of those knowledgeable about the impacts of the proposed changes.
Why is this important?
I am starting this petition because we have been loyal Disney patrons for many years. The reason for our devout loyalty to Disney Theme Parks and Resorts/Timeshares lies in the fact that it is one of very few places that our son, who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, feels welcome and whole. He is not treated like he is an outcast and is invisible amongst the crowd, not standing out as DIFFERENT. He experiences the kid like magic of imagination and as a family, we get to experience that with him. We want to preserve this one magical family vacation experience and ask Disney to reconsider their new assistance program. We wholly support Disney's efforts to create a program that deters fraud, but does not do so at the expense of those who truly benefit from the assistance program. With the new Disabled Assistance System, it will preclude many families from enjoying Disney Theme Parks as they did before.