Disney Shareholders Reject Proposal to Review Disability Access Service (DAS)

Last December, Erik G. Paul, a Disney shareholder, submitted a proposal requesting an independent review of Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) policies. Disney initially resisted adding it to the ballot before ultimately relenting. In the end, it didn’t matter. The proposal failed, earning just 5% of the tabulated votes.

It’s a tough outcome for those hoping for broader DAS coverage. The service will continue to be limited to guests who can’t wait in lines due to “a developmental disability such as autism or a similar disorder.”

Mariann Bell, our resident disability and accessibility expert, shared this after the vote failed:

“It’s very disappointing that the majority of shareholders are unwilling to even explore the implications of the current DAS policies.”

D’Amaro addressed the proposal during the Q&A portion of the meeting, reiterating that Disney’s DAS policies were developed in consultation with medical experts and families. He added that the company will continue to listen and remain open to changes if needed.

Disney does offer other accommodations for guests who have difficulty standing in long lines, including its Attraction Queue Re-Entry and Meet-Up options.

Mariann also shared a helpful tip for anyone planning to ride Haunted Mansion. Guests can request to bypass the stretch room (even without DAS) if that pre-show is overwhelming. If that applies to you or someone in your party, simply let a Cast Member know you’d like to “skip the stretch” when entering the attraction.

While the DAS proposal’s failure keeps Disney’s current DAS policies in place, conversations around accessibility clearly aren’t going away.