Wow, you've totally misunderstood me if you think I'm bitter.
Yes I did get that from your wording when comparing my requests, demands as you stated, to you dealing with your DD
I wasn't putting you down for requesting accomodations. I do get frustrated with your tone though. In so many of your posts, you come across as very agressive and even derrogatory (not necessarily all of your posts, but there have been many). I can't help but wonder if you speak this way to CMs as well. You know the old saying about more flies with honey. The way you describe some of your situations is VERY demanding and hostile. Not being there obviously I can't say if you were different in the actual situations and you're just expressing your frustration here or if you were just as hostile towards the CMs you were encountering. Just something to think about. Maybe a different approach in general would be helpful.
I don't mean to sound offensive, demeaning or nasty, and no, I don't come across that way with the CM's at the HM until about 15 minutes into the trying to get more flies with honey act. I do know how to request and not demand. On the same token, when you have to stand there time after time and explain yourself over and over, which by the way, you are not supposed to have to even explain to them when you have the proper GAC card. That is my gripe. I even have low vision written on my card, not just the front row stamps for vision. I also have the alt entrance stamped on it as well. After 15 minutes or so of this one does tend to get a bit upset and rightfully so. Once I had to explain it to like 4 different CM's, one of them I had to wait for their arrival. Had I gone on the regular line, I would have been able to go around at least twice as there wasn't much of a wait. So they can see I wasn't trying to skip lines
All the issues you've listed that you encounter at parades are issues that I have with my daughter. I know I said we don't sit through parades because of the wait but there's a lot more to it than that. The close proximity to so many people is just not something she can cope with, especially not for prolonged periods of time. It's just her reality. If I plan strategically, I can actually get her a viewing spot that works and we have done that a few times in all of our trips. I just don't see why I should ask for an accomodation for something that I can do myself just like anybody else. Since I can do it, I try to remain respectful of those who have no other options and not take one of their limited spots. You said yourself that you can see the parades just fine during the day. This is just like my daughter being able to cope if I plan correctly and choose a parade time that's not as busy and choose a viewing area that's not as crouded (touring plan services really do help figure this kind of thing out). Yes, we're more limited than the majority of guests, but that's the fault of her disability, not Disney. That accessible viewing area actually is very crowded and will not prevent us from being bumped or crowded into a small space. Oh, and typically they won't allow a large group like you described sit in the accessible viewing area. If you do choose to sit in there and you're travelling with a group, be prepared to be separated from them. That's something that folks with mobility devices who sit in that area have to deal with right now so that will now be your difficulty as well. It's very unfortunate but the seating is limitted and it's the only way to ensure as many people as possible who need the accessible viewing area can use it.
The parade viewing is a big deal to others, not just me, it was in the lawsuit. I don't need to explain any of this to anyone. Sorry if that is rude, but true. It is now going to be mandatory for Disney to provide it. I also explained it to you in a previous post anyway.
In restaurants, I'm surprised that you've had trouble getting servers to read to you. They work for tips. When I worked in restaurants, I would have gladly read for a guest if asked. Personally, I'd always have a small flashlight to brighten my menu if I couldn't see in dark places but I also wouldn't be shy about asking for my server to read to me. If the server refused I'd ask to be moved to the station of a server who wants to work for their tip. That's what people who work in the service industry who rely on tips are supposed to do, provide service. What a poor server if they refuse.
As far as asking them to read it to me, sure, if they aren't busy they can. If they are busy, they won't and legally as per ADA guidelines they must provide for you with this. It isn't me making this up, it isn't me asking for something special. My 2 DD's are servers and they have read to those with vision impairments. My one DD had to go as far as taking the man's wallet and money to cover the check for him. He was totally blind. So yes, there are super servers out there, then there are the busy overworked ones who will not stop and take the time to read. yes, I do carry a small flash light, but the one I have isn't working for me anymore. It doesn't light up enough for me. I need something bright, not a small light. In fact, a friend of mine just got me a pen light to carry. I tried it at the MK to read my Sorcerer Cards..and it didn't work either, not bright enough unless I am under one of their lights in addition to the pen light. She had to read it to me.
I don't understand your reasoning for getting upset with people with other disabilities or difficulties that are accomodated. I get that you feel that you're not recieving acceptable accomodations and I'm not you and don't know what you go through. I do see you rant against others though as though you feel if you aren't getting what you need then nobody should. I'm really sorry that you feel this way and are this upset. Others receiving accomodations does not take away from your situation. If others were to lose accomodations that would not help you. You're directing your frustration to the wrong place. Those with other disabilities, whether temporary or permanent, whether fully legally recognized as disabled or merely having some problem that requires help, are not the problem.
I am not directing my frustrations out in the worng place, I am directing them at Disney, not the other people. It is wrong for Disney to do this, the others aren't the ones who set up the rules and areas. By me asking for what the ADA states I should be getting isn't asking for anything special, why would you even think that way? I used a sprained ankle or broken leg/foot as examples of conditions that are not covered under ADA guidelines, yet Disney allows for them to go on without being questioned. That is the point I am trying to get across, but I don't think you are getting that. Conditions that are under the guidelines are being questioned and not addressed, yet those that aren't under guidelines are treated as if they are. Do you see my point now?
I'm curious about something. In hotels around the country, does somebody give you a run down of locations in your room? I honestly can see how this could be immensely beneficial. I'm wondering if it's something that other companies do. Is this something that would really be required under the ADA? Again, I see how it would be really a great thing to do but I'm not sure I see how not doing it would be an ADA violation. The reason I'm asking if this is something that other hotels do is the I believe one of the things in the lawsuit was a requirement that WDW do this (maybe I remember wrong; I don't feel like going back and checking right now).
When I am in a hotel/timeshare condo alone, yes, I have them come in and show me. I also request for the 1st floor. I don't want to take the chance of a fire or other emergency at night and not be able to see to find my way down a flight of stairs. I learned to always request that due to my DH's experiences.