Draft:DAS Defenders

• Comment: Doesn't meet WP:ORG. Safari Scribe^{Edits! Talk!} 09:47, 26 October 2024 (UTC)

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DAS Defenders

DAS Defenders is a community-driven advocacy group focused on improving accessibility at Disney parks for disabled guests. It was formed in April 2024 in response to restrictive changes in Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) program. DAS Defenders serves as both a support network and a powerful voice for disabled Disney fans worldwide. With over 16,000 members, the group brings together disabled Disney enthusiasts, their families, and allies to advocate for accommodations that ensure safe, dignified access to Disney parks for all, regardless of disability.

History

The DAS program was initially created by Disney as a system to assist guests who are unable to wait in traditional queues, allowing them to experience the parks with alternative wait options, such as virtual queues. However, recent modifications to the DAS program led to significant changes in eligibility criteria and administration, prompting frustration and concern among disabled guests. Reports emerged of guests with physical disabilities, chronic conditions, and neurodiverse needs being denied access to accommodations. DAS Defenders was founded to address these accessibility gaps and to advocate for a program that genuinely supports all disabled guests.

DAS Defenders quickly gained traction, growing from a small group of advocates into a large network, now with thousands of members who share similar experiences of restricted access. Through community support and coordinated advocacy efforts, the group has amplified the voices of those affected by the changes, calling on Disney to return to a more inclusive DAS system.

Impact

Since its formation, DAS Defenders has made significant strides in raising awareness and driving public discourse on accessibility issues within Disney parks. Some of the group’s key impacts include:

• Petition Campaigns: DAS Defenders launched a petition on Change.org that has gathered over 32,000 signatures, demanding improvements to the DAS program and urging Disney to prioritize accessibility for all disabled guests.
• Media: The group has engaged with prominent media outlets to share the challenges faced by disabled Disney guests, securing coverage that has helped increase public pressure on Disney to address the limitations of DAS.
• Community Events: DAS Defenders has organized community events where disabled guests unite at Disney parks in blue attire -- similar to Gay Days -- to celebrate inclusion and remind Disney of the need for accessible accommodations. DAS Defenders organized a mobile billboard display featuring personal stories of individuals, including veterans, children, and terminal cancer patients, who were denied access to Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS). The display was showcased outside Disney's D23 conference in Anaheim.

Positions

DAS Defenders advocates for an accessible Disney experience that accommodates all disabilities, with specific positions on various aspects of the DAS program:

• Inclusive Access for All Disabilities: The group maintains that DAS should accommodate all types of disabilities, including physical disabilities and terminal illnesses, and that restrictive eligibility policies create unfair and unsafe barriers for many guests.
• Safety in Accommodations: DAS Defenders opposes current alternative accommodations that are potentially hazardous, such as requiring parents to leave children unattended or directing guests to exit queues during health episodes. They emphasize that every DAS accommodation should be designed to prioritize guest safety and dignity.
• Training and Sensitivity: The group calls for comprehensive disability training for all cast members, particularly those involved in DAS evaluations, to ensure that interactions are compassionate, knowledgeable, and free from bias or judgment.
• Streamlined, Dignified Application Process: DAS Defenders advocates for a DAS application process that minimizes re-traumatizing requirements, is sensitive to guests’ privacy, and avoids unnecessary re-evaluation for guests with long-term disabilities.

Criticism

Some Disney fans have criticized DAS Defenders, describing the group’s advocacy as entitled and arguing that not every disability should automatically require accommodations. In particular, the Disney fan site Inside the Magic published concerns that DAS Defenders events could overwhelm certain areas of Disney parks, potentially leading to delays, restricted access, and even temporary ride closures due to increased crowd control and security needs. According to Inside the Magic, DAS Defenders gatherings, such as meet-ups and group photos, could attract large numbers of participants, adding to the demand for Disability Access Service (DAS) accommodations and increasing crowd congestion in critical areas.