Theme Parks With Special Needs Access Passes

 

An increasing number of theme parks, including Disney World and Disney Land, have changed their policies for guests with disabilities, cancelling the access passes that allow guests with disabilities to bypass queues for amusement park rides. Additionally, several large theme parks, such as Legoland California, Universal Studios and Dollywood do not publicly post their policies on access passes.

 

The reason for these changes is that the policies were being abused by tour guides with disabilities who charged a large fee to wealthy families to skip those long lines. [It was reported that] some individuals also attempted to fake having a disability to acquire a coveted access pass.

 

Quite understandably, this news is very upsetting to individuals with disabilities and their families, who - like my own family - often plan their vacations around theme parks. The good news is that there are many theme parks that welcome guests with disabilities and make special accommodations for them. Some of these are big-name parks with multiple locations, others are small, family-owned parks highly rated by theme park aficionados. A big bonus is that the whole family can have a great time at a fraction of the cost of [some of the biggest theme parks]. Here’s a list of 39 theme parks:

 

 

1. Morgan’s Wonderland

Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas, is still the first and only theme park in the world where all of the rides are fully accessible and sensory-friendly. The park was designed and constructed for the purpose of full inclusion. Morgan’s Wonderland is a non-profit organization, and admission is free to guests with special needs ($15 per day for adults, $10 per day for children).

 

 

 

 

 

2. Holiday World

Holiday World is located in the middle of a corn field in Santa Claus, Indiana, 3 hours south of Indianapolis and 90 minutes west of Louisville.

Don’t let the location discourage you—this park repeatedly wins awards for being the cleanest and friendliest park in the world. It also earns rave reviews from serious roller coaster enthusiasts and families with young children.

In addition, Holiday World welcomes 2,500 children with special needs and their families for a reduced admission fee once a year, and for the rest of the season offers a boarding pass to individuals with disabilities. The boarding pass allows an individual with up to 3 companions to pre-schedule a boarding time for a specific ride without waiting in line. Matt Eckert, president of Holiday World, has said, “At Holiday World, we strive to be a park where children and adults with physical and mental disabilities can feel comfortable and safe, and have a really fun time.”

 

 

3. MarineLand

MarineLand Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario, offers a discounted admission fee to individuals with disabilities. Guests with disabilities can check in at the Guest Services office to receive a ride wristband that allows the wearer and one caregiver to bypass lines. In addition to roller coasters and family-friendly rides, MarineLand features shows with dolphins, orcas and beluga whales, and it’s less than one mile from downtown Niagara Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Knoebels

Knoebels Amusement Resort is a family owned and operated theme park in the beautiful forested hills of Elysburg, Pennsylvania, just off Interstate 80 about 2.5 hours northwest of Philadelphia.

There is no admission fee—guests buy tickets for the rides. Guests with disabilities can receive a Courtesy Pass at the first-aid station, which will allow the individual and up to 3 companions to bypass all lines and enter the rides through the exit gate.

Picnic pavilions are available to all guests on the grounds, and there is a campground adjacent to the park. When my family visited Knoebels, we were surprised at the ample shade in the park, as well as its relatively peaceful environment—not too loud and busy like other theme parks. We enjoyed a very happy day at Knoebels!

 

 

 

5. Sesame Place

Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, (about 30 minutes northeast of Philadelphia) offers a Ride Accessibility Program that allows guests with disabilities to wait for a ride in a "virtual queue" with a pre-scheduled boarding time. Guests may enroll in the Ride Accessibility Program at the Welcome Center when entering the park. Sesame Place features low-thrill family rides and non-scary Halloween attractions, so it’s perfect for a family with very young children.

 

 

6. Legoland Windsor

Legoland Windsor, located in the United Kingdom about 50 minutes west of downtown London, offer a Ride Access Pass to guests with disabilities. The Ride Access Pass allows the guest with up to 3 companions to bypass the queues on 10 rides in a single day.

The Legoland website also has detailed information about food allergens at all of the restaurants inside the park. Legoland California and Legoland Florida do not post information about a ride access pass on their websites, instead encouraging guests with disabilities to contact Guest Services two weeks before their arrival to plan for their visit.

7. Sea World San Diego

Sea World San Diego provides a Special Access Pass to guests with disabilities, which places the guest in a "virtual queue" with a prescheduled boarding time for each ride. Sea World also provides sign language interpreters for shows and tours, as long as the guest contacts Guest Services two weeks before the visit.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Darien Lake

Darien Lake Theme Park Resort in Darien Center, New York, (about halfway between Buffalo and Rochester) has priority access entrances for its most popular rides.

Guests with disabilities may bring up to 5 family members to the priority access entrance, where the ride attendant will assign a boarding time. The guest then returns at the assigned time for immediate boarding. Darien Lake also has allergen-free menus at its on-site restaurants, as well as an accessible hotel and accessible RV campground at the park.

 

 

 

 

9. Six Flags

There are 18 Six Flags theme parks and water parks in North America, and all of them offer Rider Access Passes or Equal Access Passes for guests with disabilities. These passes allow a guest with up to 3 companions to schedule a reservation time for a ride without waiting in line. 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Cedar Fair

Cedar Fair is the parent company of 11 amusement parks, three separately gated outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels across North America. The largest and most famous of their properties is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, which has been named the “Best Amusement Park in the World” for 15 consecutive years by Amusement Today’s international survey.

In 2013, Cedar Fair uniformly modified its policies for guests with disabilities across all of its properties. Guests with mobility impairments or Autism Spectrum Disorder may enroll in the Ride Boarding Pass Program, which provides pre-scheduled boarding times via the exit ramp for the most popular rides.

Assisted listening devices and sign language interpreters are available at all theaters and shows, but sign language interpreters must be requested a few weeks before the visit. Additionally, the parks offer quiet, air-conditioned spaces - usually the first aid station or family assistance building—for rest and re-grouping. 

 

By Karen Wang, a FriendshipCircle.org blogger and mom

The Down Syndrome Program in the Developmental Medicine Center at Boston Children's Hospital

 

 

The Down Syndrome Program in the Developmental Medicine Center at Boston Children's Hospital offers multidisciplinary clinical evaluations for people with Down syndrome from birth until the age of 18. With each appointment, we are also able to make referrals and connections with any of the other specialty clinics at Boston Children's.  The Down Syndrome Program is more than a clinic, however. We strive to provide resources, advocacy, and supports to all families, depending on their individual needs.

Vision: All individuals with Down syndrome are physically and emotionally healthy, engaged at their highest capacity in school or vocation, have meaningful family and social relationships, and are valued members of their communities.

Mission: To partner with families, interdisciplinary providers, and researchers to evaluate, treat, and investigate medical, cognitive, neurodevelopmental, educational, mental health, behavioral and social needs of individuals with Down syndrome from the time of diagnosis until transition to adult care.

Team Members Include:

• Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician
  
• Nurse Practitioner
• Physical Therapist
• Speech Pathologist
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Nutritionist
• Dentist
• Orthodontist
• Audiologist
• Research Coordinator
• Program Coordinator
• Patient Liaison

http://www.childrenshospital.org/downsyndrome

 

https://www.facebook.com/bostondsp

 

 

 

 

Medicaid Waiver

Forty-four (44) states and the District of Columbia have received waivers to provide home- and community-based services to people with developmental disabilities (DD). Depending on each state's DD definition, these waivers may cover services to people with autism.

Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, and Wisconsin have waivers specifically addressing autism. They all limit waiver services to children. The first three states' waivers are only for children with autism. Wisconsin provides intensive in-home autism treatment under two broader waivers, one for children with DD and the other for children with social and emotional disorders. In Indiana and Wisconsin, children eligible for autism-specific services are also eligible for services under other Medicaid waivers.

All 50 States where interviewed about their programs for persons with developmental disabilities and asked the same 10 questions:                             

1. What Programs Are Available To Assist People With Disabilities in your state?
2. What number do you call to start getting services?
3. Who Qualifies For Assistance? (disability, age, and financial requirements)
4. How many people are currently waiting for services, and how many years should they expect to wait?
5. How many people are currently receiving services?
6. What assistance is available while you wait?
7. Does the state offer group homes and supported living?
8. Are there still state owned institutions? How many people are living in institutions
9. Do you have choice in providers?
10. What is the process to become a provider?

You can see the answers to these questions by clicking on the state you have questions about.

http://medicaidwaiver.org/index.html

Where to Start-Massachusetts

MASSACHUSETTES EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM

Early Intervention in Massachusetts is a statewide, integrated, developmental service available to families of children between birth and three years of age. Children may be eligible for EI if they have developmental difficulties due to identified disabilities, or if typical development is at risk due to certain birth or environmental circumstances.
EI provides family-centered services that facilitate the developmental progress of eligible children. EI helps children acquire the skills they will need to continue to grow into happy and healthy members of the community.


Call the Central Directory for Early Intervention at 1-800-905-8437 (1-800-905-TIES) or visit www.massfamilyties.org for a listing of certified Early Intervention programs serving your city or town. Call and speak with a local Early Intervention program to make a referral.

 

EASTER SEALS:

Easter Seals provides services to ensure that children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play.

You can also reach Easter Seals at:

Worcester: 484 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 800-244-2756 (voice) 800-564-9700 (tty) 508-831-9768 (fax) info@eastersealsma.org

Boston 89 South Street, 1st Floor Boston, MA 02111 617-226-2640 617-737-9875 (fax)

New Bedford
256 Union Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

508-992-3128 (voice)

MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM:

The CLTS MA Waivers support children who are living at home or in the community who have substantial limitations in multiple daily activities as a result of one or more of the following disabilities:

• Developmental disabilities
• Severe emotional disturbances
• Physical disabilities

http://www.compasswisconsin.org/index.php?page=clts-ma

TEFRA: (Tax, Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982)

Under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA), states may provide Medicaid coverage to children with severe disabilities, disregarding their family income, if these children require care at an institutional (hospital, nursing home or intermediate care facility) level.

When a child receives extended care in an institutional setting, family income is disregarded as a qualification for Medicaid. The TEFRA State Plan Option makes it possible to do the same for a family whose child requires care at the level provided in an institution, but who choose to care for their child at home. Currently, 18 states and the District of Columbia have chosen to implement the TEFRA State Plan Option. Because states vary widely in the availability of institutional care for children and the clinical criteria for admitting children to these institutions, the numbers of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) who receive Medicaid benefits under this option also varies widely from state to state.

Please check with your state office to see if TEFRA is offered in your state.

GENETICS TESTING & COUNSELING AT UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO HOSPITAL

The Genetics Program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children specializes in the evaluation and care of patients who may have health problems with a genetic or metabolic basis.

55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114

617-726-2000

http://www.massgeneral.org/children/services/treatmentprograms.aspx?id=1632

COMPREHENSIVE DS PROGRAM AT DUKE UNIVERSITY

The Duke Comprehensive Down Syndrome Program was developed to provide family-centered medical care for individuals with Down syndrome. Using the guidelines developed by the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group for systematic, preventative care, our physicians work in conjunction with the patient's primary care provider. The clinic team focuses on maximizing the development of individuals with Down syndrome by managing medical issues, connecting them with community resources, and teaching families to advocate for their children. The clinic has provided specialty care to over 1,000 patients and their families since its inception in 1995.

Lenox Baker Children's Hospital

3000 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27705
Tel: 919-684-6669

Hours: First and third Thursdays of each month, 8 am - 3 pm

MASSACHUSETTS DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS

Mission Statement

To ensure individuals with Down syndrome in Massachusetts are valued, included, and given the opportunities to pursue fulfilling lives by providing information, networking opportunities, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome and their families, educators, health care professionals, and the community-at-large.

Mailing address:
The MDSC
20 Burlington Mall Road
Suite 261
Burlington, MA 01803

Email: mdsc@mdsc.org

Telephone: 781-221-0024
1-800-664-MDSC

http://www.mdsc.org/aboutus/MissionVisionPurposes.cfm

MORNING TRAVELERS

In early 2003, three mothers with infants born with Down Syndrome met at the Professional Center's parent support group on a Wednesday evening. Although the adult conversation was helpful, the mothers - still overwhelmed by their new situation - decided to schedule a playdate so that they could get together with their children to focus on celebrating their new babies. Almost one hundred playdates later, Morning Travelers now serves more than one hundred families in the Merrimack Valley.

Contacts:

Sharon Randall 978-974-0191 morningtravelers@yahoo.com

Maura Fitzpatrick 978-251-9621 maurakfitz@gmail.com

Kathy Healy Norton 978-273-8994 healynorton@yahoo.com

http://www.morningtravelers.org/about.html

BRIDGING THE GAP FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP FOR THE SOUTH SHORE AND CAPE COD

Bridging the GAP of EA/TEF (BTG) Support Group is devoted to fostering an ongoing relationship between family members and medical professionals. Esophageal Atresia/TreachoEsophageal Fistula is a rare birth defect in which many families are not prenatally diagnosed and even more so few physicians and medical professionals have knowledge of this birth defect. Because of the rarity and varying severity of this birth defect family members feel isolated and confused about how to deal with the condition. Likewise, some medical professionals, have difficulty in dealing with the diagnosis and treatments of this rare birth defect.

Infants and their families affected by EA/TEF need a support system to help them deal with the many issues surrounding the diagnosis of EA/TEF and other birth defects which may have formed.

Physicians and the medical community also need support in dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of EA/TEF. Many physicians and medical professionals will see very few if any patients with this birth defect. Because of this, EA/TEF is not a major part of medical school training. Therefore, physicians and medical professionals, as well, need support with these patients if they suspect a diagnosis and potentially must begin treatment.

The goal of the BTG Support Group is to gather information from each group of people involved (Family Members, Physicians, OB/GYNs, medical facilities) and disseminate that information to all. The BTG Support Group is an information center and a "Helping Hand" for affected people. It is only through the efforts of Family members and Physicians/Medical Professionals that BTG can reach many more people in need.

By sharing information, resources, and support the BTG Support Group will create a "Circle of Hope" for those affected by EA/TEF.

http://bridgingthegapofea-tef.com/home

DS RESOURCE GROUP OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

The Mission of the Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Massachusetts is to discover, encourage, and embrace the potential of ALL individuals with Down syndrome. We will accomplish this by supporting the individual, their families, caregivers, and communities through outreach, unity, resources, community involvement and education.

220 Brookdale Drive Springfield MA 01104-3210

(413) 562-7395

http://www.dssupport.org/

SUPPORT, EDUCATE, MOTIVATE, ADVOCATE (SEMA)

60 Sullivan Avenue, Somerset, MA 02725

774-644-0356

srfamily@verizon.net

THREADS

4 Southwich Street, Apt. 1, Middleboro, MA 02346

508-947-8497

wingnut1974@comcast.net

THE ARC OF MASSACHUSETTS

The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We accomplish this through advocacy of supports and services based in the community.

217 SOUTH ST, WALTHAM, MA 02453
781-891-6270 | arcmass@arcmass.org

http://www.arcmass.org/