[blindkid] FW: [sensoryintegration] RE: DISNEYLAND RALLY THIS SATURDAY

Fri Oct 11 14:59:55 UTC 2013

Hi all,

Great discussion!

I think that one main point that us blind adults on this list have been trying to make is that if you choose an accommodation/special privilege  for your child, for whatever reason, you're sending a subtle message that says "you are not capable... you are inherently inferior to the task because you are different." Even very young children can pick up on that message on some level and it can impact their belief in their capabilities in the future. So before you choose a special privilege or accommodation for a child with any type of  disability, it may be helpful to ask yourself about what message you are sending to that child about him/herself.

In 3rd grade I was allowed to walk at the front of the line whenever our class went somewhere special like the library, gym, etc. At first I just thought I got to walk in front because I was smarter than everyone else (the flawed logic of an 8-y-o), but I soon learned that it was because I was blind and the teacher didn't think I could walk in the line by myself. When I learned that fact I was absolutely furious! Thankfully, I knew that I could in fact walk in a line just fine, but this did make me start to doubt whether or not I could do other types of travel on my own. So when it came time to cross streets by myself, I had a belief that I couldn't do it because I was blind. 

Yes, the adults in my life made decisions for me as a child about what I could and could not do, and they made these decisions for what they thought were good reasons, but those decisions absolutely impacted my self-concept and lessened my self-confidence as I grew older. 

As parents, I realize that you know your child best and understand what he/she can and cannot handle, but please keep in mind that there is a long-term cost to every accommodation/privilege decision that you make. And this fact makes it worth examining your decisions before making them and asking yourself about the message you're sending to your child. If you do this, you may find that some short-term benefits are simply not worth the long-term costs.

JMO,
Allison

-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Richard Holloway
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2013 5:06 AM
To: Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] FW: [sensoryintegration] RE: DISNEYLAND RALLY THIS SATURDAY

It seems to me that blindness alone MAY be enough of a reason in some cases-- for example, if Disney (as mentioned by others) won't offer more appropriate seating for a low vision guest to see what can be seen in a show (from the front row perhaps) without a pass, or if there are possibly some tactile opportunities which would require being in a particular spot for access (I can't specify an example, but it seems potentially possible.)

What especially concerns me is when blind park guests (or parents of the same) begin to feel like they must not accept accommodation for a situation that may well be appropriate (like a sensory issue, for example) where a person might be overwhelmed by a line, crowd interaction, etc. 

Some of us seem to want everyone to decline the accommodation option because we don't want the general public to see this as a negative issue regarding blindness, when the cause may have nothing to do with the blindness per se.

We often speak of having typical children who happen to be blind, but what of, say, an autistic child, who happens to be blind? Do we want to make that parent feel like they should place a child in a situation where the child may be stressed and miserable simply to avoid perpetuation of misconceptions about BLINDNESS? That's really not fair if we do that, though we all realize that what the public is going to SEE is the child's white cane, not the fact that the child has other sensory issues to manage. 

The discussion is somewhat moot at this point, because a large portion of the available (Disney) accommodation has been withdrawn, and I suggest that this withdrawal has little to do with abuse of the accommodation by blind guests OR sensory impaired guests (or many other special needs guests). 

From what I understand, a substantial number of able-bodied guests were outright misrepresenting their situations, and in some cases, park visitors were actually going so far as hiring a disabled person to accompany their family to gain fast-pass access to rides and attractions. 

It seems to me that the "take home message" in all of this is to do what you honestly feel is right and appropriate in your own situation and let others make their own choices.  Hopefully not enough people will abuse the system to the point where voluntary accommodations from the likes of Disney continue to be limited or withdrawn. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 10, 2013, at 8:23 AM, "Brandy W., with Discovery Toys" <ballstobooks at gmail.com> wrote:

> While I understand that blindness alone doesn’t need a special pass at Disney many of our children have other disabilities that do make the pass make their trip a special and equal experience. Please if you have children who will be effected by this pass please write to the information in this email.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> 
> 
> Bran
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: sensoryintegrationgroup at yahoogroups.com [mailto:sensoryintegrationgroup at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of girllofgod at yahoo.com
> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2013 12:45 AM
> To: sensoryintegrationgroup at yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [sensoryintegration] RE: DISNEYLAND RALLY THIS SATURDAY
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Everyone,
> 
> 
> 
> We are putting a rally together at Disneyland on Saturday. We need as many supporters as possible. We are going have a few leaders in different locations like possibly the 7/11 location again and Downtown Disney and somewhere else. Please message me if you want to participate and please, please spread the word. Time T.B.A.
> 
> 
> 
> I believe all entertainment venues are watching this and are children's freedom is in jeopardy. For those of you who cannot participate, we are asking to hold rally's at your local Disney Stores. Please voice your concerns by calling the park and sending your letter and sharing your stories how the Disability Passes need to be made available for any person with Special Needs.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Here is the information to let your voices be heard. Feel to flood their Facebook page under the recommendations section as well.
> 
> CALL (714) 781-4636. Select the option to speak to a cast member about general questions. Once you get a live person on the other end, ask to be transferred to "Guest Relations In the Park." This is some kind of code for them. But also ask for them to stay on the line while you are being transferred to make sure it goes through. You should then be talking to someone else who will know a lot more about the proposed discontinuation of the guest services program than the initial people you reach will.
> 
> For those people with annual passes, I tried to call the number for help with that, (714) 781-7277, but ended up back at the same voice menu you get when you call the general number.
> 
> MAIL YOUR LETTERS WITH YOUR PERSONAL STORIES TO
> 
> Mailing Address:
> Disneyland Resort
> P.O. Box 3232
> Anaheim, CA 92802-3232
> 
> AND
> CC:
> Robert A. Iger
> Chief Executive Officer
> The Walt Disney Company
> 500 South Buena Vista Street
> Burbank, CA 91521-4873
> 
> AND
> cc:Thomas O. Staggs
> Chairman
> Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
> 500 South Buena Vista Street
> Burbank, CA 91521-4873
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Nancy
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> 
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> 
> 
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