Universal now requiring documentation be sent to a third party for accessibility

[lanejudy]

I get it, people have concern about their private information. Some folks are much more willing to share than others. Those with concerns, I recommend you contact the company (IBCCES in this situation) to ask specifically about whatever scenarios are a worry to you.

While neither IBCCES nor theme parks are covered under HIPAA, HIPAA is not the only law in place regarding PHI (Protected Health Information). Any organization that collects PHI is required to have appropriate safeguards in place that encrypt and limit access to any information kept/stored/maintained. There is likely some statement you agree to when setting up an account that you allow sharing of basic identifying information (name, address, email, etc.) with the partnering business (in this case Universal). And as long as the information is stripped from any identifiers, it can be aggregated and used as data by the company collecting it -- for example X requests with an autism diagnosis, Y requests with a diabetes diagnosis, etc. It is up to each and every individual to decide whether they feel comfortable sharing any information.

Though I will say it seems to me it's probably more secure than in-person conversations about DAS at Guest Relations which can be overheard by any Joe Smoe within hearing distance.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Security
IBCCES takes precautions to protect your Personal Information. When you submit Personal Information, your information is protected both online and offline. IBCCES uses encryption to protect your Personal Information transmitted online. Additionally, only employees who need the information to perform a specific job are granted access to your Personal Information. The computers/servers in which IBCCES stores your Personal Information are kept in a secure environment.

Yeah, I've had Personal Information breached more than once by places such as my employer (us govt), a dr office and my health insurance co. IBCCES gives me no reason to think their precautions are any better.

 

[JLTraveling]

We always had called 30 days before, gotten "reapprooved" and just told the park Gues Services person our case number. It was simple and fast.

We've had permanent approval for several years, and also just given GS the number. But my understanding is that was only available for passholders/frequent visitors/some other unclear criteria. Now it will be available for all, even if they come for 2 weekends just under a year apart and stay offsite.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Yeah, I've had Personal Information breached more than once by places such as my employer (us govt), a dr office and my health insurance co. IBCCES gives me no reason to think their precautions are any better.

Totally understand - I posted this in response to a PP saying they had no way of knowing how it's secured.

 

[yaddo121]

I can understand people being concerned about the short notice of the changes, but I don't understand all of angst over the "what ifs". If someone needs the AAP, they should apply, and if denied, then look at what next steps are for appealing/reviewing that decision.

So here’s my struggle with it - let’s say I go through this process to obtain the IBCCES card and am successful in being given a card. For me that first step would mean making an appointment and paying a good amount of money to obtain a letter from my doctor. The first step alone is a struggle that could take me weeks to go through with. Next, I submit my personal private medical information to an online third party company inducing more stress and anxiety. Finally, I have a conversation with an UO TM (you guessed it - stress and anxiety) and am ultimately denied accommodations.

Personally, if I went through those first steps only to be denied at the end after spending time and money and triggering my mental/emotional health negatively, then I’d probably be pretty upset and wonder why on earth I went through any of that? It’s also likely that the chance that I would ask for a review or appeal is slim to none given the mental gymnastics I go through just to ask for accommodations in the first place.

I don’t know, it just makes me wonder if it really worth putting disabled people through extra steps only to be turned down. Couldn’t they just turn you down without the middle man hoop jumping?

And yes, there is the the steps at Disney and the possibility of rejection (believe me, each time I renew I go in with the expectation of being turned down). But the stress and anxiety of a 2-3 minute in person conversation is significantly less than going through a doctor’s appointment, then giving my private medical info out, and then having that same 2-3 minute conversation.

 

[greeneyedchick]

First, the IBCCES isn't determining the accommodations, they're just confirming that the person has a disability. Of course not everyone with the same diagnosis needs the same accommodations, and that's where Universal will be the final arbiter. No one ever said that just because someone has a disability they need accommodations. So in your example, IBCCES could certainly validate that an alcoholic is disabled, but that doesn't mean they need or will receive accommodations.

The people with bladder and digestive issues weren't denied by IBCCES, who correctly noted that they have a disability, they were denied the AAP by Universal. Two totally different things. Like it or not, and I know most people won't (and I can certainly understand why), Universal's accommodation for those with bladder and digestive issues may be that they are permitted to leave and then return to the line. As inconvenient as it may be, it is an accommodation, and no one is entitled to their preferred accommodation.

Has Universal said what someone with bladder issues is supposed to do if they are travelling alone or going on a ride by themselves? There's no one to hold the spot.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Has Universal said what someone with bladder issues is supposed to do if they are travelling alone or going on a ride by themselves? There's no one to hold the spot.

They could do a lanyard program, handing someone in your spot a lanyard that matches yours, so you know where to come back to.

They could let you re-enter through child swap, thus effectively moving you up in line for the time you are away.

They could decide to issue a 1 person pass.

They could do a lot of things. When this program officially starts running, they may actually try all 3 to see what works best, or even another option I haven't listed (like putting bathrooms in queues, which may be a thing at the new park).

 

[notatallmagic]

Instead of being upset about they could do or might do, or what they could approve or not approve, or what they could say or not say, if you go to Universal and need the AAP, then why not apply and see what happens?

I can understand people being concerned about the short notice of the changes, but I don't understand all of angst over the "what ifs". If someone needs the AAP, they should apply, and if denied, then look at what next steps are for appealing/reviewing that decision.

The issues are multiple but in our case we are out of state Annual Passholders that invested a lot of money in passes, airfare, and hotels for trips we may now be unable to take. We cannot navigate parks without accommodations and have several situations that have shown that.

I would never have purchased Uni Annual Passes had this process been in place, and am super pissed that I have six months left where I can't plan any visits until I wait an indeterminate amount of time for a call and decision from some random person who has the power OVER a medical doctor specialist as to what accommodations my kid can have. And I did learn that Uni is unwilling to refund any portion of our APs. So we can't plan trips and/or use our passes until they wade through the "extensive and lengthy" backlog they creates with this stupid move.

No AP renewal for us.

 

[OurBigTrip]

The issues are multiple but in our case we are out of state Annual Passholders that invested a lot of money in passes, airfare, and hotels for trips we may now be unable to take. We cannot navigate parks without accommodations and have several situations that have shown that.

I would never have purchased Uni Annual Passes had this process been in place, and am super pissed that I have six months left where I can't plan any visits until I wait an indeterminate amount of time for a call and decision from some random person who has the power OVER a medical doctor specialist as to what accommodations my kid can have. And I did learn that Uni is unwilling to refund any portion of our APs. So we can't plan trips and/or use our passes until they wade through the "extensive and lengthy" backlog they creates with this stupid move.

No AP renewal for us.

And you e dealt with a “random person “ previously who had the same decision making power…

 

[DisneyOma]

Honestly, I don't know how so many people are comfortable using this third party company. Who are these people that we are handing over our medical information to? How are they securing it? Who are these people to decide what kind of disabilities they think should get accommodations and which shouldn't? What are their qualifications? The whole thing sounds like a bit scam that these theme parks have fallen for.

I've found, through decades of working in the field of public education, that the majority of companies that want to get involved in certification, training, etc, especially related to autism, are scams.

With regards to declaring a disability exists, if the letter explains how the individual is impacted by the diagnosis that should give enough info to IBCCES to make the determination that it qualifies as a "disability." (see post above for definition.) If the documentation is denied, I think I've heard you can resubmit. But remember that IBCCES is NOT determining accommodations, just that a disability exists. Accommodations are determined by Universal directly.

Read below:

. IBCCES approved me for all the accommodations I requested, even though they weren't all mentioned by the form I used.

First, the IBCCES isn't determining the accommodations, they're just confirming that the person has a disability.

Read above!

 

[OurBigTrip]

I've found, through decades of working in the field of public education, that the majority of companies that want to get involved in certification, training, etc, especially related to autism, are scams.

Read below:



Read above!

I did read it, and I also read the IBCCES page where they say they don't approve accommodations, the park does. Which is why once approved by IBCCES, guests still have to speak with Universal in order to get a case number and accommodations.

 

[notatallmagic]

And you e dealt with a “random person “ previously who had the same decision making power…

No I actually didn't; I'm very risk averse and made sure I was 100% comfortable with the Uni process before we purchased Annual Passes for our family.

I visited the park prior to purchasing, reviewed their process with them, and was then assigned a case number that I referenced for each of our 3 visits 30 days prior. We even had our accommodations approved prior to actually paying for the pass. We then took that information/case # to Guest Services the first 5 minutes of each trip, and were immediately given the length of stay pass. I made it clear prior to purchase what my expectations were, and had an A+ experience for 3 trips prior to this news release.

 

[OurBigTrip]

No I actually didn't. I visited the park prior to purchasing, reviewed their process with them, and was then assigned a case number that I referenced for each of our 3 visits 30 days prior. We had our accommodations approved prior to actually paying for the pass. We then took that information to Guest Services the first 5 minutes of each trip, and were immediately given the length of stay pass. I made it clear prior to purchase what my expectations were, and had an A+ experience for 3 trips prior to this news release.

Well then, best of luck to you.

 

[notatallmagic]

Well then, best of luck to you.

Thank you.

 

[lanejudy]

Read below:

Read above!

Sorry but those posters are confused by the process. IBCCES “approved” (or accepted) the documentation submitted as proof that a disability exists. Now Universal will determine actual accommodations within their theme parks. The IBCCES card in and of itself does not grant accommodations; it says that right on the website.

note that the IAC does NOT guarantee entry to an attraction and any special accommodations or benefits provided are at the sole discretion of that attraction.​

​

• The IAC does NOT guarantee you any benefits or accommodations. All accommodations afforded to individuals with a need are at the sole discretion of the attraction
• Please present your IAC upon arrival at the park for details about what accommodations may be available

 

[Lilsia]

I've found, through decades of working in the field of public education, that the majority of companies that want to get involved in certification, training, etc, especially related to autism, are scams.

Read below:



Read above!

Literally anyone can make a company and website and say that they are Autism "experts" and give out advice. I am still trying to figure out how they went from giving out advice on traveling with autism to having access to people's medical information. What qualifies them to do this when clearly they have no background in medicine.

 

[yaddo121]

Literally anyone can make a company and website and say that they are Autism "experts" and give out advice. I am still trying to figure out how they went from giving out advice on traveling with autism to having access to people's medical information. What qualifies them to do this when clearly they have no background in medicine.

I was recently at an Accessibility Expo and one of the neurodivergent panelists explained that when it comes to Autism, “If you’ve met one autistic person, that means you’ve met one autistic person” and when I read about this company offering “expertise” on Autism that quote was all I thought of.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Literally anyone can make a company and website and say that they are Autism "experts" and give out advice. I am still trying to figure out how they went from giving out advice on traveling with autism to having access to people's medical information. What qualifies them to do this when clearly they have no background in medicine.

Perhaps you should actually read about who they are what they do. They are much more than just a travel agency (nothing wrong with travel agencies, but since that seems to be what you're hung up on).

https://ibcces.org/about/

 

[OurBigTrip]

I was recently at an Accessibility Expo and one of the neurodivergent panelists explained that when it comes to Autism, “If you’ve met one autistic person, that means you’ve met one autistic person” and when I read about this company offering “expertise” on Autism that quote was all I thought of.

The fact that every autistic person is different doesn't mean that there can't be expertise in the study of autism.

 

[Lilsia]

Perhaps you should actually read about who they are what they do. They are much more than just a travel agency (nothing wrong with travel agencies, but since that seems to be what you're hung up on).

https://ibcces.org/about/

None of what they do qualifies them to verify if your medical issues are covered under the ADA.