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In his first shareholder meeting, newly minted Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro was faced with a question about the controversial changes to the Disability Access Service (DAS) at the Disney theme parks. Earlier in the meeting, a shareholder proposal for an independent review of the DAS changes failed by a wide margin.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro Comments on Controversial DAS Changes
The question asked was “Would Disney consider restructuring the Disability Access Service program to ensure that it benefits everyone who needs it?”
D’Amaro noted that accessibility is a deeply personal topic and that being able to get access to accessibility services may be the only way that families can experience the theme parks together. D’Amaro says that Disney is focused on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
D’Amaro then talked about the current approach to the topic of accessibility, noting that the system is a result of extensive work with accessibility experts and medical professionals.
D’Amaro said that it’s important to Disney to have individual conversations to find the best match for a person in need of accommodations against Disney’s broad list of options.
D’Amaro closed by noting that Disney will continue to listen to feedback and that they will continue to learn and apply expert guidance in an effort to provide great experiences and support guests.
Here’s the transcript:
Okay, uh, I’ll address that question, and I’ll start with the fact that we know that accessibility is deeply personal, and for many families, our services for guests with disabilities, they make it possible to enjoy our parks together. And creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all guests, especially those with disabilities. This is, it’s foundational to who we are.
The current approach that we have with our disability access service, it reflects really extensive work that we’ve done with accessibility experts, and medical professionals, all in an effort to better understand individual needs, and then really thoughtfully match guests with the right levels of support.
It’s important to us that we have individual conversations with families, and that we have a broad range of accommodations that our cast members can recommend through these individual conversations.
Now, you know, of course, as we look ahead, as we always do, we’ll continue to listen, we’ll learn and apply expert guidance, we evaluate these accommodations over time, and we’ll always be focused on providing great experiences and designing these services to support our guests.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
I’ve had a Das pass for over 14 years. And now, I can’t have one, I’m very upset over it. It does make it harder for my family and me to get together on different things I don’t ride all big rides, but I do ride some rides that I’d like to ride with my family and having them go in line without me and me sitting there, waiting for them and then joining them in the line when they get to a certain point does not work. I feel left out.
You’re riding with your family and you’re waiting outside of the line, so what’s the problem?
It’s a reasonable accommodation, which is all that’s required.