Walt Disney Parks and Resorts implemented a major overhaul of its Disability Access Service (DAS) policy in 2024. This change was implemented to address rampant fraud and misuse. The service’s usage had reportedly tripled over the past decade. While intended to restore the program’s integrity, the new rules immediately sparked major backlash and are now the subject of a high-stakes class action lawsuit filed in California.
The Narrowing of DAS Eligibility
The new policy drastically restricts eligibility. Disney now limits DAS eligibility to primarily serve guests with a developmental disability, like autism or similar. These are guests whose condition prevents them from waiting in a conventional line. To qualify, guests must now complete a mandatory live video chat screening with a contracted health professional.
This restrictive language is the core of the legal dispute. The lawsuit claims the new policy systematically discriminates against individuals with physical disabilities and other non-developmental conditions who previously qualified. The plaintiffs allege these changes violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Unruh Civil Rights Act.
Legal Battles and Privacy Concerns
Plaintiffs brought the class action lawsuit, titled Malone vs. Disney, against Disney and its screening partner. The complaint includes serious privacy allegations. It claims that the required virtual screenings force guests to disclose sensitive medical information (PHI). This public process allegedly raises HIPAA and privacy violation concerns.
Disney maintains its official stance that the claims are without merit. The company argues that it continues to offer a broad range of effective disability accommodations. Furthermore, Disney asserts that the ADA does not require identical accommodations for every different type of disability. The outcome of this lawsuit will set a significant precedent for accessibility and operational integrity in theme parks nationwide.
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