San Diego with A Wheelchair

NOTE: This article originally appeared in Exceptional Parent On-line in 2009. It has been revised and updated.

 San Diego – Let’s go!

My daughter Amanda has autistic behaviors as well as mobility and cognitive impairments. We’ve always loved to travel, but limited our trips to family visits as Amanda’s disability became less manageable. It just seemed like too much work to go very far with her. However, after our second daughter’s birth we realized that we shouldn’t shelter either of them.

Reasoning that the United States is more accessible than most foreign countries we decided to fly to San Diego. We lived there when were first married and loved the area. Even before we had a child with special needs it was easy to see that San Diego is a very accessible city. In fact, we had taken Amanda twice as a toddler.

This time before going I did a lot of internet research. We emailed Accessible San Diego , the nation's oldest center for information for travelers with disabilities. The center has an info line that helps travelers find accessible hotels, tours, attractions, and transportation. You can purchase a downloadable copy of Accessible San Diego’s annual guide online. In the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Dining and Accommodations guide, a wheelchair symbol designates places that are accessible.

In the past we’ve stayed at the La Jolla Shores Hotel. It’s a charming hotel right on the beach. It has ramps and elevators and is accessible. We love the view and the proximity to the beach.  We decided to  rent a 2 bed room ranch with ocean views for less than one room in the hotel would have cost. The rental house didn’t have an accessible bathroom, which wasn’t a problem for us but might be for some families.

Most of the city's major attractions are wheelchair friendly, including the walkways and museums of BalboaPark, the San Diego Zoo (which has bus tours to navigate the steep canyons), SeaWorld, the SafariPark, and downtown'sGaslamp Quarter. Take advantage of Balboa Park's "Free Tuesdays" if you can! Legoland is close by in Carlsbad.Old Town and the beaches require a little more effort, but are basically accessible.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy San Diego. The weather is great almost all year. There are lots of free outdoor activities, from beaches to public parks. At Ocean Beach, La Jolla Shores and other beaches a rubber walkway  allows limited access over the sand. A special beach wheel chair is kept at the main lifeguard station at most public beaches and is available on a first come, first served basis - for free.



Using the ramp at La Jolla Shores Beach

Our favorite beach is La JollaShores Beach. We went there nearly every afternoon. The rubber ramp is almost always on the sand so it’s easy for Amanda to get on to the beach. It has a fabulous paved walkway that runs the length of the beach where she can walk or be pushed in her wheelchair. Amanda loves watching beach volleyball and the Frisbee games played in adjacent KelloggPark. The park is also accessible and has grills, benches and picnic tables. Most of the parks and playgrounds in San Diego meet or exceed the standards laid out in the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the exception of some of the sand based beach parks.

The  Trolley is a fun way to see the downtown area, without having to walk. There are stops at a number of attractions including Old Town (the historic district) and SeaportVillage, a waterfront shopping and dining area. Riders with disabilities pay a reduced fare of $1.25 for the trolley. All MTS buses and trolleys are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

The Old Town section of San Diego focuses on Mexican heritage. It’s fun to explore the bustling Mercado with its eclectic shops. There are several restaurants, many which feature Mexican food. There is normally live music and it is absolutely free. The market hours are 9 am - 3 pm. Amanda has always enjoyed eating quesadillas and watching the mariachi bands in Old Town.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park has some interesting historic houses that you can visit during the day. Entrance to the Historic Park is free. However, there are uneven brick walkways, entry stairs, narrow doors and high thresholds. The Robinson Rose House, the current visitor center, is accessible, including the store. Other accessible areas include Seeley’s Stable Barn, the Casa de Estudillo and its garden, the Courthouse Jail exhibit, the Old Town Theater Barn and the Casa Machado de Silvas.

We like visiting Balboa Park. In addition to the San Diego Zoo there are beautiful gardens and 15 museums. Amanda’s favorite museum is the Rueben H. FleetScience Center. It has an IMAX theater as well as nearly 100 hands on exhibits, including computers! “Kid City” is a colorful, interactive space designed for young children to play and learn. The San Diego Model Railroad Museum has 4 enormous scale and model layouts depicting railroads of the Southwest.



View from Birch Aquarium



We also love the Stephen Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. Birch Aquarium is wheelchair accessible and wheelchairs are available for visitors' use. The Aquarium has sharks, seahorses, living coral reefs as well as a large Kelp Tank with a diving show. There are tidal pools where the kids can touch aquatic animals and one of the best views of the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla!

There are a number of discount passes available for San Diego’s major attractions. We purchased a 3-for-1 pass that allowed us unlimited access to the Zoo, the Safari Parkand SeaWorld for 5 consecutive days.

Our first stop was the Safari Park in Escondido, which is 45 minutes north of the city. There is plenty of handicapped parking. The Safari Park walkways are completely paved and easy to access. The Park offers informational pamphlets, including scripts for the hearing impaired and a special map for guests with walking disabilities. A free shuttle is available to the Heart of Africa and Condor Ridge exhibits.



Safari Park



The girls enjoyed seeing the animals in natural environments. There is a petting “kraal” where they could pet baby deer and an area where they could feed lorikeets. Our favorite part was the Journey into Africa Tour (which was included with our passes, but isn’t included in all value packages). It was a 25 minute electric “train” ride through the Park’s African savannah. There are giraffes, rhinos, elephants, Cape buffalo and other animals, roaming free in the nearly 1000 acre enclosure. The train attendants were very friendly and even allowed us to pre-board.

The girls’ favorite attraction was Sea World San Diego.  There is a lot of walking and people with mobility impairments should either bring or borrow a wheelchair. There is an on-line accessibility guide with detailed information about their services. We went to as many shows as we could – from Shamu to Pets Rule! The girls both loved seeing the animals perform. The theaters all had special seating areas with good viewing angles.

We had so much fun at Sea World and the beach that we went back every day. We never made it to the world famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. That leaves something to look forward to on our next trip to San Diego!

Preparing Your Home for a Home Health Care Provider

Preparing Your Home for a  Home Health Care Provider

When you decide to employ a home health aide there are a number of changes that you need to consider - both in your home and in your lifestyle. What will it be like having another person in your home for hours or even days at a time? If you are a private person it may feel like an invasion. On the other hand, for some folks its welcome companionship - someone they can rely on to visit  daily.

You need to make your home as safe as possible for both your family member and their caregiver. Remove objects that may be easily broken. Prevent tripping by removing small rugs, runners, electrical and phone cords from pathways. Place non-skid adhesive strips to non-carpeted stairs. Make sure that your home is well lit - especially stairs and hallways.

You may need to purchase items that you don't already have. Things you should have include, but aren't limited to:

• smoke detectors
• carbon monoxide detector
• nonslip bath rugs
• nonslip stickers or mat in the bathtub or shower
• grab bars by the toilet and in the shower/tub
• flame resistant potholders
• fire extinguisher

Having help when you have a family member with a disability can be a blessing. Another set of hands to help with care giving and household tasks can seem like a dream come true at first.

However, anyone who has employed a home care worker knows that the honeymoon period wears off.  My initial reaction was to treat the person like a member of the family while they were in our home.  I did this in part because I saw my parents struggle with the aides who cared from my mother.

My parents were very private people. They were brought up in a different era. The combination of these factors meant that they didn't want their live in aide dining with them. There was one fundamental problem with this idea- they only had one table. There was no where to sit and eat in the kitchen. Those poor women had to stand in the kitchen to eat their meals.

My parents wanted their aide to be "on call" but essentially out of sight. That meant that they were relegated to spending large parts of the day in their room or on the back deck, waiting for my parents to page them. Being a home health aide is a difficult, physically demanding job. The pay is poor and there are often no benefits. Adding social isolation must have made the job so much harder.

My mother was a little confused toward the end and some of her aides took advantage of her. While I was visiting one afternoon I saw her "tip" the aide five dollars three times for filing her nails that day. After my mom passed way small pieces of jewelry and other items were missing. I think that if my parents had been even a little more tolerant these small abuses might never have occurred.

On the other hand, I've learned that without some boundaries people may also take advantage of your good-nature. My daughter's aide is generally included in everything we do. She eats with us, hangs out in the living room and watches TV with us, etc .

In the past I've been so casual that people forgot they worked for us. Some have wanted to watch graphic crimes dramas with my daughter in the room. I didn't realize that one woman was using my laptop for online shopping until I went to several websites and the "Your Store" zip was set to her town. We've had aides show up with their children and their dogs.  One showed up before a job interview so she could use our shower!

In addition to making sure your aide knows what you want done, be clear about what NOT to do as well. While I don't want to create a feeling of distrust I do want to maintain a semblance of privacy in my home.  Some of these suggestions may make you feel ridiculous, but consider the alternatives. Be specific about any areas that are for family-only. I would rather hang a sign on my door than find someone up to their elbows in my underwear drawer. Let the person know if they are welcome to watch your TV (and what shows you would prefer they not watch), use your computer, etc. Here are a few tips based on my experience:

• If you don't want your aide to pry into your bedroom, master bathroom or office, you need to clearly post a "PRIVATE" sign on the door.
• Password protect your computers and cell phones. Lock file cabinets. Consider blocking unwanted content on your TV.
• Label dresser drawers, kitchen cabinets, etc. to prevent "I was just looking for..." If everyone knows where to find necessary items there is no reason to look elsewhere. Most people will respect your privacy, but there is always one person that wants to go through your pantry or medicine cabinet.
• If you have cherished heirlooms or valuables, move them out of sight or store them safely somewhere else. A spilled drink can accidentally ruin an antique table that looks "second hand"to an aide.

Be sure to interview any person or agency carefully before you hire them!



For more information on home safety for the elderly or individuals with special needs please go to http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/FCS-461.pdf

How to Write Instructions for your Home Health Aide

Home Health Aide Daily Care Plan & Instructions

When we first had a home health aide for my daughter the job seemed obvious to me. Not so to the various care workers who were assigned to her. Truthfully a home health care aide or companion typically has very little to do. A live-in aide can retire to his/her room and read or watch TV until you need their help. A part-time aide is in an awkward position because there isn't much to fill the time. I don't mind if the aides read, text or use their laptops - provided they meet my daughter's basic needs in a timely manner.

Do your homework when you hire an aide. It turns out that most people will only do exactly what is asked of them - no more, no less. For instance, with an elderly parent if you ask the caregiver to make a pot of coffee it is very possible that they will only make coffee on the day that you make that request. If your parent wants a pot of coffee made every morning with breakfast that needs to be specified. You need to prepare your home when you have someone working in it so they can find the things they need.

Review the instructions on equipment and procedures. Make sure that the aide has the written instructions available for any unique equipment like a lift. WATCH them perform complex tasks at least once to make sure that they are being thorough and safe. Don't trust that "showering" means the same thing to everyone. Some people may spray your family member down quickly, others may sit them in the shower and walk away for 10 minutes. Be specific about your expectations.

Review and provide instructions for all medications that the patient requires. Don't forget non-routine medications. For instance, if the person has an Epi Pen make sure the aide knows where it is and how to use it.

If you expect the person to prepare meals or snacks, make sure that they know where the ingredients are as well as what food preferences or allergies the person may have. When in doubt, provide a printed recipe including the location of all ingredients. Decide if the person will be eating with your family member and provide adequate quantities of food (obviously live-ins expect meals).

While it seemed ridiculous at first, I learned to provide a detailed list of each task that I wanted done every day.  Each task is described including the timing (after school, at dinner),  tools to be used (special cup, broom, etc.)  and the frequency (daily, weekly, etc.). I also include check boxes so the person can keep track of what has been completed each day.

The last section of my daily list includes safety instructions. Make sure that you have your address written down in the event of an emergency. You'd be amazed at how many people simply follow their GPS and have no idea where they are. If you are not going to be there at all times include your contact information on this page as well.

Here is an example of a daily care plan for a 4-hour after school shift for our daughter. Your plan may be more detailed depending on medical needs and the extent of home care tasks you expect.


Daily Home Care Plan for __________________      Date:  _____________

Tasks include, but are not limited to:

Personal Care

         Meet & get her off school bus using wheelchair

         Change clothing if wet or dirty immediately after school

         Toilet or/change Depends every 2 hours   

o   Completed  at     time _____________       time _____________   

o    Check  Depends immediately after school. Change after shower & before bed

o   Thrown wet/dirty Depend in kitchen trash can

         Provide afternoon snack (prepared in frig) Complete at time _____________   

         Assist with ambulation around house (maintain contact guard at all times)

         Assist with TV remote, computer, etc.

         Shower daily    Completed at time _____________   

         Brush hair daily after shower

         Wash hair on Wednesdays   Completed date _____________   

         Assist with feeding during meals & snacks

o   Cut food into bite sized pieces for finger feeding

o   Assist with use of spoon or fork (may need to feed her)

o   Place dirty dishes, cups and utensils in the sink

         Provide companionship & supervision at all times

     Maintain safe environment while parents are away or otherwise occupied.

Home Care

         Make bed daily    Completed at time _____________   

         Fold & put away laundry as needed (2-3 times a week)

         Dust & vacuum bedroom on Mondays (weekly)  Date _____________   

o   Use Swiffer dusters and Shark carpet sweeper

         Clean bathroom on Fridays (weekly)    Date _____________   

o   Use disinfecting wipes to wipe down toilet & bathtub

o   Lift no slip mat and place on shower chair to air dry

Safety    I can be reached at 555-555-1234

Never allow her to walk around the house alone – be with her at all times.

Watch for choking while eating and drinking.

In the event of a clonic/tonic seizure (grand mal):

1.    Ensure her safety - roll her to her side, if possible

2.    Call 911 The address here is 123 Main Street Anywhere,ST

3.    Administer medication per instructions on label (outer pocket of blue backpack)

For insights on the aide's perspective please go to http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/advice-from-a-home-health-aide/

Questions to Consider Asking a Home Health Care Agency

Questions to Ask a Home Health Care Agency

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a lawyer or insurance professional. Please check the local laws and regulations in your state.

We've had a home health care aide for my child with special needs for roughly 10 months. We located an agency through a list of state -approved providers. However, some of the caregivers they sent were completely unsatisfactory. For instance, one casually mentioned during a family dinner that her own family had called child protective services on her several times.

Another time an frail woman who appeared to be about 70 showed up. I was afraid she'd fall and break a hip! I ended up making her tea and letting her watch TV until the end of her shift. In my opinion, she couldn't handle the physical challenge of working with a 125 pound, autistic and mobility impaired person.

I finally discovered that the agency (which was approved by my state Medicaid) hired through Craigslist. Applicants were required to pay for their own background checks, but were allowed to start assignments before providing the agency with the results.

The agency was hiring them as independent contractors. These individuals had no worker's compensation insurance. Several told me that they had no personal health insurance. What would have happened if they were hurt on the job in my house? Most likely we would have been sued.

When I contacted the home health care agency I asked about these issues (none of which they refuted.) I also asked if they had any general liability insurance in case my child was injured by one of the people they sent to our home. The answer was that the business was insured, but the coverage only extended to their physical place of business (the office.) If my child was hurt or abused by someone they sent over I would be free to sue the individual involved!

These practices put both my family and the caregiver at risk. I had to ask the state to help me locate a more suitable agency. Rest assured that I asked A LOT of questions before I agreed to a new agency!

So, as a precaution to others I've compiled the following list of questions.

If you have a home health care or home care worker in your home, consider asking the agency* the following questions:

Are the workers you send to my home employees or independent contractors? This is important because the agency isn’t paying payroll taxes on independent contractors – including worker’s compensation insurance.

If an independent contractor is hurt on the job in your home or driving on your business you can be sued for medical costs and lost wages. Do not rely on Homeowners Insurance coverage to protect you, unless the insurance carrier has confirmed coverage for this risk. Many insurance companies have specific riders that can be added – at a cost- to cover in-home caregivers

Does the agency have general liability insurance?
In the event that your child or family member is injured while being cared for by an employee of the agency does the agency have coverage to pay for related medical expenses? Ask to see the documentation.

Does the agency have theft insurance?
Have employees been bonded? In the unfortunate case of theft by a caregiver is there insurance coverage to help you recover financially?  Ask to see the documentation.

Has the applicant had a criminal background check, drug screen and employment (not personal) references contacted?
Just because caregiver is provided by an agency or registry doesn’t mean that adequate screening has occurred. A number of smaller agencies recruit though Craigslist. Applicants may or not have been interviewed in person. 

Is the worker First Aid/CPR certified?
Tell the agency what your specific needs are. Don't assume that the worker will know how to operate your equipment, assist with transfers, etc.

Ask things such as: Has the caregiver had any specialized training (familiarity with equipment/supplies, received training in a specific illness, etc.)?  Are they capable of meeting any lifting requirements?

Does the caregiver have adequate auto insurance coverage?
If not, and the caregiver gets in a car accident in the course of running errands on your behalf, then you may be held liable for the damages caused by the caregiver.

 *If you hire an in-home caregiver yourself ensure that you have similar coverage!

If you hire a home care worker privately, you are not required to provide workers compensation (unless they are being paid through a funded program such as CCSP/PSS in Georgia.)

Like any employer, you must abide by the applicable disclosure and authorization provisions if you elect to perform a background check. You should only have a background check conducted by a professional third party. Do not attempt to do it yourself. If you elect to have a background check done be sure to adhere to all legal requirements regarding privacy and disclosure.

If you are hiring the worker privately be sure to have clear job guidelines including specific lifting requirements and safety precautions.

If the worker is injured lifting your family member, slips in a wet bathroom, etc. are you prepared for the financial costs of covering their lost wages and medical costs? What if they sue you – do you have an umbrella policy on your homeowners insurance that will protect you?

What if you are robbed by them? Will your insurance cover the damages?

If they injure your family member are you equipped to handle the related medical costs?

Be sure the worker knows what is expected of them while on the job in your home and that you have made your home safe for both the caregiver and your family member.

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a lawyer or insurance professional. Please check the local laws and regulations in your state.

Walt Disney World with a Wheelchair - Part 5 Rides

Walt Disney World with a Wheelchair

Getting on the Attractions (Rides)

Disney attractions fall into several categories when you're in a wheelchair: those you can stay in your chair for, those you must be in or transfer to a manual wheelchair for and those you must be able to transfer into a regular seat. In some cases you may need to transfer from your ECV to a manual wheelchair. And in some instances it may just prove impossible to access an Attraction. Cast Members are not permitted to assist with transfers, so if you can't transfer independently or with the aid of a member of your party, you'll need to skip that ride. It's a little complicated, to say the least. Before heading to the Parks you can search the Attractions at Walt Disney World Resort web site by entry requirements (i.e., "Wheelchair and ECV accessible".)

There is a wheelchair accessible Swan on the Carousel

There are 138 Attractions (rides) in the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney categorizes rides ranging from "Must be Ambulatory" to "Wheelchair and ECV Accessible" - and a number of transfer options in between. If you can't transfer comfortably you will need to do some advance planning to see what you can and cannot do at each park. You can check accessibility on the Disney website or you can download the Accessibility Guide for each park.

The percentage of fully accessible rides is truly amazing! There are only three Attractions that fall into the "Must be Ambulatory" category (all in the Magic Kingdom):

• Tom Sawyer Island
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority
• Swiss Family Treehouse

I know of four rides (although there may be more) where you must transfer onto the regular attraction seat. These are:

• Maelstorm
• Mission: Space
• Soarin'
• Spaceship Earth

That means that roughly 95% of the Attractions are fully accessible! Remember that in Disney-ese Attractions include the shows, parades, etc. - not just rides.  All of the various shows have wheelchair access. You will be typically be asked to park in the back row to avoid obstructing others' views, but the view is still good.

There is a wheelchair boat on Its a Small World

You can definitely get on most of the rides. You may have to wait for a wheelchair accessible boat or car. Rides that I know have wheelchair boats include Its a Small World and the Jungle Cruise in the Magic Kingdom. Newer rides actually have pieces that can be swapped out to accommodate an ECV or wheelchair. The first time I saw this was on ToyStory Mania. It was pretty impressive to watch the Cast members remove part of the ride and swap in another section.

Step in to seat on Dumbo

If you are in an ECV you may have to transfer to a manual wheelchair for some rides. Disney Cast Members are typically very good at politely asking if you can transfer. Waiting for a special vehicle may take a while, but transferring directly to the ride can be harder than you might imagine. It's rarely a simple step into a ride on the same level. Some of the rides have multiple steps up or down (Jungle Cruise). Others have awkward or dark space that you need to step into like Dumbo or Magic Carpets of Aladdin.

Step down into Jungle Cruise boat

Disney Cast Members aren't allowed to help with transfers. This is intended to protect your privacy. Therefore you need to travel with someone who can help you make these transfers if you can't walk independently.

We always help our daughter but as she gets bigger some of the rides become harder to access. We actually had very good luck transferring her on a seat for Spaceship Earth as the loading area is sort of a moving sidewalk that moves with the cars. We were able to push her chair right onto the ramp and help her in at her pace. On the other hand, Magic Carpets of Aladdin at night (in the dark) was nearly impossible.

Remember Disney isn't all about the rides! There are wonderful shows, parades, fireworks and dining experiences that are all accessible. Even if you avoid the traditional rides entirely you can still have a great time at Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair Part 4 Dining

Disney Dining When You're in a Wheelchair

Table Service Restaurants
Dining can sometimes be a challenge if you don't plan ahead. Many Disney restaurants are crowded and hard to maneuver with a wheelchair - particularly Character Meals where everyone is moving around more than normal. For instance our daughter once was asked to transfer into a regular chair at Akershus during the Princess breakfast. Her wheelchair was safely stored and returned to us at the end of the meal.

Also, due to the need for extra space you may not get the prime views that the restaurant is famed for. If you want a good seat or the view the restaurant is known for make sure to ask for it before you are seated! Otherwise you will most likely be stuck out of the way.

Don't count on there being room for a wheelchair in a table service restaurant if you try to walk in! When you can, make advance dining reservations and be sure to specify that you will have a Guest in a wheelchair dining with you. Hopefully if Cast Members know about your needs ahead of time that they won't try to seat your party in a booth or a hard to reach corner.

You can (and should) make reservations for Character Dining, Dinner Shows and Signature Dining. If you've used a travel agent to plan your trip they can also give you insights on restaurants and make your dining reservations for you. The service is free!

You can call 407-WDW-DINE yourself for reservations if you want. Cast members are always happy to help you with reservations. However, its just as easy to create your own reservations online.

After you chose your restaurant and time you will get a screen labeled "Guest Information". This will include the restaurant, time, number in your party, etc. You will need to fill in a phone number that you can be reached at while on vacation. Next - and most importantly!- click on the box to the left of where it says "I have special requests or a food allergy."

Once you have checked that box, another window will open allowing you to specify any common food allergies as well as the fact that you will be need wheelchair accessibility. Not only do we request wheelchair access, we have two food allergies to contend with so I always start here. If I have any other special requests I can follow up with a call to WDW-DINE. Don't be afraid to try booking your own dining reservations on line. It's easy!

We tend to eat light so we only have one or two table services meals per visit. We've eaten at Sanaa, Akershus, Nine Dragons, Cape May Cafe and Kona Cafe with no problems.
What about Quick & Counter Service restaurants?
There are lots of options when it comes to dining at Walt Disney World. How do you handle the places where you can't make a reservation? If you are on the standard dining plan chances you have one quick service meal, one snack and one table service meal per person per night. If you are paying for your meals out of pocket, you probably still don't want to make every meal a table service meal.

Not all Quick service restaurants are equal when it comes to wheelchair accessibility. Some counter-service locations have narrow lines delineated with rails that aren't wide enough for a wheelchair. You will need to send someone for food or contact a host or hostess for assistance. Our typical strategy is to send one person to place the orders, pay and carry the food as some of the places we're tried can't accomodate even a manual wheelchair.

Focaccio Sandwich at Starring Rolls - great if you can make it through the chair maze!

For instance, Starring Rolls Bakery in Hollywood Studios has great sandwiches, but the area is a little corner, which you have to navigate a series of tables and heavy metal chairs to get to. It's a lot of work but worth it for delectable bakery goods. An easier choice in the Backlot Express which is crowded, but roomy enough to navigate without much problem. The hardest part will be finding a free table!

In the Magic Kingdom Cosmic Ray's has a lot of seating, but railings separating the lines so again you will probably have to ask someone else to order. Casey's Corner has good food & a few outdoor tables, but the indoor seating is bleachers (super cute sports theme) so not accessible. We all love the Kiddee Cones at Plaza Ice Cream Parlour but it has such a narrow line that it won't accommodate a wheelchair. One of us waits in line and orders the cones while everyone else waits outside

An easier place to get ice cream at the Magic Kingdom is Storybook Treats. It is an outside location with a small covered waiting area. They have yummy soft serve cones, sundaes and shakes.

At EPCOT in Future World we tend to go for the Electric Umbrella as it is quick; however the lines are impossible with a wheelchair. You'll need to split up to place your order. our We've also eaten at Sunshine Seasons. It can be very crowded! Its cafeteria style so again, its a good idea to leave the person in a wheelchair gaurding your table while some one else picks up the food. A great option is to try the various snack carts around the World Showcase. You can order food and find a shady spot under a tree or by the lake to eat.

I can't say that we've eaten at every Quick/Counter Service restaurant or snack cart. I wish I could give you a detailed list of your best choice when it comes to accessible casual dining, but it's nearly impossible. So much depends on the size of your wheelchair or ECV, whether you are traveling alone or with companions, your own food preferences...

For a complete list of Quick Service Restaurants, go to the Walt Disney World website. All I can say is that if you want to eat somewhere and find that you can't access it with your wheelchair, flag down the nearest Cast Member and politely explain the problem. Most Cast Members will be happy to help in anyway they can - from getting the host or hostess for you or even carrying your meal if you can't. Just be nice and ask - you might be amazed by the magical response!

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair Part 2 Getting Around

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair

You're At WDW - Now what?

Getting Around the Parks
Disney does a lot of things right when it comes to accessibility. They have ample disability parking. They provide ramps into all forms of transportation from the boats at EPCOT to the trains at the Magic Kingdom. There are lifts on the buses. There are companion bathrooms.

Much of the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act. Navigating Walt Disney World pushing a stroller is tricky. Navigating pushing a wheelchair is even harder. The streets and pathways are crowded. The lines are long. It's hot. Disney has ramps into almost every ride and restaurant, but there are still steep ramps, hills and long distances to contend with as well as the crowds.

Don't try to push a wheelchair down the center of Main Street in The Magic Kingdom - stay on the sidewalks or travel through the shops. There are a series of grooves in the pavement intended for the various Main Street Vehicles that will catch your wheels. Also, The Magic Kingdom has very few curb cuts - and they aren't painted white - so you may have to bump over a curb. The Cast will wave glow sticks if you're about to crash off a curb during a night parade. In all of the Parks Guests may block curb cuts-especially around parade times!- not realizing that you have no other way on or off the sidewalk.

What is a Guest Assistance Pass?

Once you have a way to get around the next thing you will need is a Guest Access Card (GAC). If you are in a wheelchair the Cast Members are supposed to help you find an alternate entrance to rides, etc. and you don't necessarily need to get a GAC.

In our experience its best to take the few minutes at the beginning of your first day to stop by Guest Relations and get a Guest Access Card (GAC), particularly if you are using a non-standard wheelchair like a Convaid or other adult stroller. Guest Relations will provide you with an GAC as well as a tag for your Convaid that says "May Use Stroller as Wheelchair." You only need to get the GAC once - its good at every park for the length of your visit or for up to three months with an Annual Pass. The card is valid for the holder and up to five companions.

Notice the red sticker on her Convaid stroller

The Guest Assistance Pass is typically an alternate entrance pass. On many rides you will wait in the same line as any other Guest - the only difference being that when you get to the end you will enter through a gate rather than a turnstile (just like at the entrance to the Parks.) For instance if you don't have a FastPass for Toy Story Mania you will be sent to the StandyBy Line - at the end there is a gate to accommodate a wheelchair. At many popular Attractions such as Dumbo, Aladdin and Disney Junior Live on Stage you'll wait in the regular queue; there is no alternate access.

On other rides the alternate entrance will bring you to a separate loading area. This is the case at Spaceship Earth. If you enter through a separate entrance, a number of people from the regular line will board the ride, then a few from the alternate access line will be allowed on, in repeating sequence. A GAC will not necessarily get you on to the rides any faster. Your best best is to split up into small parties of two as they place those faster than larger groups on popular rides, regardless of which entrance you use.

Tell Guest Relations if you or your child can’t wait in line for medical reasons (heart condition, autism, etc). They may be able to provide you with a pass that will provide other accommodations such as allowing you to wait in a separate area.

Alternate Access line at Spaceship Earth - about 60 people ahead of us

When you can - use a FASTPASS! (If you aren't sure how to use your Fastpass, please follow the link.) A GAC is not a replacement for a Fastpass. Go ahead and get your Fastpass for the ride or attraction and return at the stated time. You will be escorted to the alternate entrance and admitted.

Also, be prepared to hear some grumbling from other Guests who think you are getting special privileges using your GAC. We've occasionally heard some ugly comments from other Guests. Try to remember that everyone is hot and many people are impatient. If they see you entering through another door they naturally think you are getting ahead of them in line.

There are amazing shows, parades, tours and special experiences you can enjoy that don't have any kind of barrier to entry - try to see Dream Along with Mickey in the Magic Kingdom! It's performed on an elevated stage in front of Cinderella Castle and everyone has equal access to "good spots."