Disney Reverses Course on DAS Proposal, Allows 2026 Shareholder Vote

Written by Joshua Posted January 19th, 2026

Story updated on January 22, 2026

Last December, shareholder Erik G. Paul submitted a proposal asking Disney to take a closer look at its Disability Access Service (DAS) policies. The proposal called for an independent review of Disney’s broader accessibility and disability inclusion practices.

At the time, Disney asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for permission to exclude the proposal from its 2026 annual meeting materials. According to a report by WDWNT, Disney has reversed course and withdrawn that request. Shareholders will now be able to vote on the proposal at the 2026 meeting.

Here’s Paul’s original request:

Shareholders request that Disney commission an independent review, conducted by a qualified third party, of the company’s accessibility and disability inclusion practices. This review should assess legal, financial, and reputational risks; evaluate Disney’s policies against international accessibility standards and competitors; and identify opportunities for leadership improvement. Shareholders further request that the Board provide a public summary and internal briefing on the findings to ensure accountability and transparency.

Disney shareholders are expected to receive a formal letter outlining the company’s change in position soon.

Accessibility advocate Mariann Bell welcomed the decision to allow the proposal to move forward:

“I strongly believe that the current DAS guidelines, while well-intentioned, are not inclusive enough. As a result, Disney parks are not fully accessible for guests whose disabilities make waiting in long queues challenging or impossible. I welcome this review and hope it leads to meaningful changes in how eligibility is determined moving forward.”

While the shareholder vote doesn’t necessarily mean changes are coming to DAS, it does signal Disney’s willingness to review its policies. For guests who have raised concerns about how DAS currently operates, it represents a potential step toward greater inclusivity.

Update: Disney recommends voting against the DAS proposal

In newly released proxy materials, Disney is now recommending that shareholders vote against the Disability Access Service proposal submitted by Erik G. Paul.

While the company previously reversed course and agreed to include the proposal in its 2026 proxy statement, Disney is making it very clear it does not support the measure. In its recommendation, the Board argues that the proposal fails to meet the requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8 and characterizes parts of the supporting statement as “materially false and misleading.”

Disney also contends that the proposal addresses ordinary business operations and says the underlying concerns have already been “substantially implemented” by the company.

In other words, Disney is allowing the vote to proceed, but only after exhausting its options to block it and while actively encouraging shareholders to reject it.