Parents of Autistic Children File Suit Against Disney

[Judge]

Seems some NTs are unhappy with this. What say you?

(Orange County Register) ANAHEIM – Following a federal judge’s order, families with children with autism and other developmental disabilities have begun filing individual discrimination lawsuits against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which includes Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Walt Disney World.

Ten families on Wednesday each filed a lawsuit claiming Disney’s new Disability Access Service policy violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. They are asking Disney to reverse its policy and each seek an unspecified amount of money.

Disney has said it complies with ADA requirements and the claims are without merit.

The complaints are part of a larger discrimination lawsuit against Disney brought earlier this year by 26 plaintiffs, most of whom are children and their relatives.

Earlier this month, a U.S. district judge, based in Florida, shot down the plaintiffs’ lawyers request to combine the lawsuits into a single one.

Citing each family’s unique circumstance, U.S. District Judge Anne Conway ruled new plaintiffs must file and prove their claims separately. Hermosa Beach attorney Eugene Feldman and Florida attorney Andy Dogali, who represent the original and new plaintiffs, said previously they plan to file at least 69 individual cases.

Disney changed its policy on how it handles visitors with disabilities in October 2013. Before that, a guest with a disability and their party could receive front-of-the-line access for most rides. Now, guests must receive a Disability Access Service card with his’ or her’s, or a guardian’s, picture. The guest, along with up to five others, visit the rides they want to experience and receive a time when they can come back and board.

Disney, nor the plaintiffs’ attorneys, would not comment Wednesday on the additional filings.

 

[Cali Cat]

Seems some NTs are unhappy with this. What say you?

Disney changed its policy on how it handles visitors with disabilities in October 2013. Before that, a guest with a disability and their party could receive front-of-the-line access for most rides. Now, guests must receive a Disability Access Service card with his’ or her’s, or a guardian’s, picture. The guest, along with up to five others, visit the rides they want to experience and receive a time when they can come back and board.

This is what they're upset about? Because they don't get front-of-the-line access anymore? Really? Having a disability doesn't necessarily mean your life should be made more convenient for it. It just shouldn't be made more inconvenient due to obstacles. It doesn't sound to me like having a specific time to board a ride is inconvenient. They only have to wait in line once, like everyone else. I'm sure there could be extenuating circumstances in some cases, but those could be addressed as they arise. That means management would have to be trained on how to deal with unusual circumstances, but that's what management is paid to do. I really get sick of whiney people who think everything should be handed to them because they assume their disability makes them special. I know it isn't a popular position to take, but some people really need to grow a pair.

 

[Judge]

I just see it as legally unrealistic to litigate for an entitlement, and yet demand not to have to validate it. That makes no sense to me given most any other precedents.

As for impatience of children waiting in long lines...that strikes me as a behavioral issue not exclusive or confined to any particular neurological condition.

 

[Ste11aeres]

As for impatience of children waiting in long lines...that strikes me as a behavioral issue not exclusive or confined to any particular neurological condition.

I keep wondering what Temple Grandin would say. I was watching some highly interesting videos with her, and one of her complaints seemed to be the fact of children with ASD not being taught manners anymore, not being taught patience, or how to be stronger.
She seemed to think that children with ASD are no longer given opportunities to learn how to take an interest in the world, (in my opinion, slowness and patience is necessary in order to perceive things, in order to see the wonders that are in the world) or how to eventually find one's real talent and eventually use that to make a difference in the world.
She seemed to think that children with ASD, more and more, are being taught how to be helpless.

I can't wonder what she would think of these children being taught by their parents that they are entitled to immediate access to anything no matter what.

 

[AsheSkyler]

...

...

...Some people!

 

[epath13]

I've heard of it. Disney officials said (that's how I remember it) that people abuse the disability privileges. Even now anyone can get disability pass, you don't have to prove that you have a disability, nobody will ask, they'll just assume you have it if you say you do. And considering how busy it is, I'm not sure if it's wise to provide front access for every ride. We got one pass, decided not to push it. Went in front on a few rides, and waited in line for the rest. My younger son wasn't always happy about waiting, but I think, it's fine, he needs to learn how to wait in line without freaking out every time. He had tons of fun anyway, so a few tears didn't spoil it.

 

[dudeman]

Yeah, these are pretty much nuisance suits. I would like to think Disney would call their bluff and put it in front of a jury so people would see these morons for what they are, but realistically, I know they'll probably just pay them to go away. More's the pity.

 

[Christy]

If a guest is in the grounds of the park for say 8 hours and the wait time for a ride is say 45 minutes(??) and the ride length is say 15 minutes...
Average person... Can go on 8 rides and doesn't have time to stop for food or have time to get from ride to ride.
Disabled person, before... Can go to the head of each ride and could technically get through as many as (I'll be fair) 2 every hour. That's a total of 16 rides for the day, but less if they stop for food.
Disabled person, now... Can go on 8 rides and have time to stop for food. If they were smart about it, they would enrol in multiple lines at once so could possible manage up to 14 rides.

I don't think that's unfair at all.

 

[dudeman]

It also depends on when you go. Based on what I've read, if you can schedule a trip in January the parks are almost empty compared to holidays and such when they're full to capacity and you can just walk right up to any attraction you want with wait times of 15 minutes or less for most of them.

 

[Flinty]

Yeah, these are pretty much nuisance suits. I would like to think Disney would call their bluff and put it in front of a jury so people would see these morons for what they are, but realistically, I know they'll probably just pay them to go away. More's the pity.

You're assuming a jury has the collective intelligence to understand the issues involved. Sometimes you get the Conrad Black jury (good), sometimes you get a less able jury.

 

[Ste11aeres]

You're assuming a jury has the collective intelligence to understand the issues involved. Sometimes you get the Conrad Black jury (good), sometimes you get a less able jury.

Whoah, I just searched and read about that one. Kind of like a real life 12 Angry Men.

However, that story highlights some incompetence on the part of some lawyers. I think the outcome of most trials has mostly to do with the competence of the attorneys.

 

[Flinty]

However, that story highlights some incompetence on the part of some lawyers. I think the outcome of most trials has mostly to do with the competence of the attorneys.

In which case I like Disney's chances. Well, unless all they're good at is sending cease-and-desist letters and lobbying Congress for permanent copyright.

 

[musclecarman]

I keep wondering what Temple Grandin would say. I was watching some highly interesting videos with her, and one of her complaints seemed to be the fact of children with ASD not being taught manners anymore, not being taught patience, or how to be stronger.
She seemed to think that children with ASD are no longer given opportunities to learn how to take an interest in the world, (in my opinion, slowness and patience is necessary in order to perceive things, in order to see the wonders that are in the world) or how to eventually find one's real talent and eventually use that to make a difference in the world.
She seemed to think that children with ASD, more and more, are being taught how to be helpless.

I can't wonder what she would think of these children being taught by their parents that they are entitled to immediate access to anything no matter what.

its a good thing my mum tries to treat me like a normal person so what I have a disorder it doesn't effect my life I can do every thing a normal person can do (well almost)

 

[Judge]

In which case I like Disney's chances. Well, unless all they're good at is sending cease-and-desist letters and lobbying Congress for permanent copyright.

Uh-huh. Let's put it this way. You don't want to be a defendant if Disney is the plaintiff. It isn't enough for them to win. They go for the juggler.

 

[dudeman]

They go for the juggler.

Sorry, I had to.

 

[Judge]

Sorry, I had to.

Yup. Disney would take his balls. I've seen them in action.