GAC abuse

[mechurchlady]

There is a clause in the law that staes that if a provider is offering something above and beyond what other guests get then they can ask for proof of disability.

Since Universal offers a head of the line pass and the disabled guest is getting that same service for free then Universal can ask for proof of disability.

however if Universal is required to provide access and the GAP is the only answer then they cannot ask for proof. They could give a GAP holder a stamped cardstock with a time and have the guest come back later like I did iwth Tower of Terror at DCA. I did not get head of the line rights but I did have to come back later. It was easier than standing in line and I got to potty break, snack, and see the animation building.

[Anna]

I'd like to accept that, and apologize for making the mistake. HOWEVER, I can't do that, considering my party has consistently had issues with Universal Guest Relations requiring documentation.

I'm not calling you or your friend a liar. I am just stating the policy. I know because I work for GS and am also a trainer there. If someone does ask for documentation from you or your friend again, please ask to speak to the supervisor. It is against the policy.

Since Universal offers a head of the line pass and the disabled guest is getting that same service for free then Universal can ask for proof of disability.

They may be able to do that legally but it is against company policy. Ask to speak to a supervisor if anyone is asking you for proof of medical issues.

[Anna]

I meant to edit this into the last post but i guess I missed the timeframe to edit in.

You friend with MD: if they put the info into her Annual pass they should be able to scan the pass each time she goes and re-issue the GAP. I can't imagine what that wasn't taken care of. She shouldn't have to go through that each time she comes to the park. :(

And for the friend with agoraphobia, the only pass that would work for her would be the family room GAP. The express GAP would not help her as those lines can also become crowded. So to meet her needs, the family room would be offered that way she would not be subjected to crowded lines.

[Goofyernmost]

Normally, I am a strong advocate for legitimate needs and requests, but in the case of the individual that has the "fear of crowds" problem. Give me a break. Is the next step...clear the parks, I want to go in and I can't handle other people being there? Some disabilities are just that...disabilities. If they didn't hinder one's ability then they wouldn't be disabilities would they?

If a person has that problem yet insists on going someplace that is crowded, oh well, I guess that was pretty predicable. And because of the nature it is also very suspect. Would someone that really, really has that problem ever go to a place with large crowds. I think common sense has to enter these decisions. Unfortunately, ADA doesn't understand or even know the definition of common sense. To them it is participate at all costs, even if it kills you.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Thats why some small stores had to close there doors here. A lawyer would send letters telling them to comply with the ADA or face a multi-million dollar lawsuit (oh, and send him some money to settle out of court!).

The problem was, the stores were in historical buildings and they were not allowed to modify them without losing their lease.

some stores had been in business for thirty to forty years or more. Some had been in the same family for several generations.

any other persons doing that, it would be called extortion.

Do you think that a lot of ill feelings were created toward the ADA and the greedy lawyer? you bet!

Do you think that the ADA must be re-written to protect from abuse?

I know there are a LOT of people who are getting fed up with this type of abuse, hiding behind an act that was supposed to improve life for those with disabilities.

[Lasolimu]

Thats why some small stores had to close there doors here. A lawyer would send letters telling them to comply with the ADA or face a multi-million dollar lawsuit (oh, and send him some money to settle out of court!).

The problem was, the stores were in historical buildings and they were not allowed to modify them without losing their lease.

some stores had been in business for thirty to forty years or more. Some had been in the same family for several generations.

any other persons doing that, it would be called extortion.

Do you think that a lot of ill feelings were created toward the ADA and the greedy lawyer? you bet!

Do you think that the ADA must be re-written to protect from abuse?

I know there are a LOT of people who are getting fed up with this type of abuse, hiding behind an act that was supposed to improve life for those with disabilities.

That kind of thing is really funny when the building is ADA compliant and they never checked in the first place. I don't remember what town it was, but a lawyer visited for couple days and sent a couple hundred notices to that effect and the businesses were ADA compliant. Some of them didn't want to deal with him so they paid, some fought and probably won I don't know how it turned out.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

That kind of thing is really funny when the building is ADA compliant and they never checked in the first place. I don't remember what town it was, but a lawyer visited for couple days and sent a couple hundred notices to that effect and the businesses were ADA compliant. Some of them didn't want to deal with him so they paid, some fought and probably won I don't know how it turned out.

Well, some did have ramps built outside the stores, but the lawyer is confined to a wheelchair, so he would go to the store and have an assistant video him trying to get in the door, go down the aisles, etc.

He would raise the issue that they were not compliant under ADA because he could not enter and shop as easy as others.

One judge threw out some of the lawsuits as unfounded, but he just goes to the next jurisdiction and re-files.

[Lasolimu]

Well, some did have ramps built outside the stores, but the lawyer is confined to a wheelchair, so he would go to the store and have an assistant video him trying to get in the door, go down the aisles, etc.

He would raise the issue that they were not compliant under ADA because he could not enter and shop as easy as others.

One judge threw out some of the lawsuits as unfounded, but he just goes to the next jurisdiction and re-files.

Maybe he's looking for people to rush out at the sight of him and essentially lay down in the mud for him, but I don't think that is anywhere in there.

They guy I was talking about had nothing to even attempt to prove his claims and he must have just taken the entire time he was there just taking down names of businesses to send letter to.

[hobie16]

Thats why some small stores had to close there doors here. A lawyer would send letters telling them to comply with the ADA or face a multi-million dollar lawsuit (oh, and send him some money to settle out of court!).

There was a guy on Kauai working that scam. Last we heard he'd moved to LA for more fertile fields of opportunity. Look Out!!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

There was a guy on Kauai working that scam. Last we heard he'd moved to LA for more fertile fields of opportunity. Look Out!!

This guy was working the San Diego area. The slimeball was slapped down a couple of times, but keeps doing it again!