Alton Towers to remove disability pass for people with ADHD and anxiety

[AnitaRita]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gwgj4xreo
Too many people wanting to join the "Fast pass queue" so you actually end up with two queues rather than one queue and a fast entry! Got to agree with them - if you're too anxious to queue then a white knuckle ride is probably not for you!

Surely we know enough about ND to know that it presents differently in every individual? I despair of the “I’m alright Jack” comments or the total lack of empathy for the struggles of others. The level of ignorance and ableism in these comments and those I’ve seen elsewhere online is utterly disgusting. This impacts those with Autism as well and anyone dismissing the difficulties conditions such as Autism and ADHD cause should count themselves lucky they can live in ignorant bliss. It is no coincidence that Autistic individuals are up to 7 times more likely to commit suicide and those with ADHD are 3 times more likely. It is incredibly difficult to get a diagnosis of either and contrary to the options of the ill-informed oiks rejoicing on many major news outlet posts about this, most people with these conditions do not qualify for PIP. They are, however, classed as disabled.
People should make an effort to actually educate themselves before wading in on issues they don’t know anything about.

Theme parks should offer reasonable adjustments. Some children with fairly profound disabilities still love to go on rides. The problem is, in the same queue you had children who simply have an ADHD diagnosis but can absolutely queue, with those who cannot physically stand for long, have bladder issues, and who have severe neurodivergence. Sadly the latter now miss out because many people took the piss.

Those saying their queue is made longer etc realise that if you access via RAP entrance and the queue is an hour long you cannot access the next ride for an hour?

Your queue is the same as theirs just those with RAP virtually queue in a round about way.

My ds has a RAP (wheelchair user).

If they made all ride entrances level access or accessible with lift at end for those on wheelchairs etc then they would join the general queue and this would allow those who can’t actually queue due to their disabilities to have a quieter shorter queue and those like my ds who could queue if it was accessible can queue with everyone else. I know my ds would much rather have more wheelchair accessible things to allow those with cognitive, neurodivergent etc disabilities to also access the rides.

edit to attach quote

Surely it's discrimination? My daughter has severe Autism, she's non-verbal, can't follow the simplest instructions, doesn't understand the concept of queueing. Queueing for even a few seconds in shops is an absolute nightmare, she isn't able to wait because she just doesn't get it and standing still is literally impossible for her. She loves rollercoasters, theme parks are the one place I feel comfortable taking her, we can't just do a quiet day at the beach or a stroll around the shops, we're already limited in places for her. Yes, there are fast passes you could buy, but that's charging people with certain disabilities more just to allow them to access the same things as people with physical disabilities or no disabilities at all. Fast passes often sell out if too many have been sold for the day so won't always be possible to purchase anyway.

I think it's so sad that people don't understand neurodiversity in this day and age. My 8 year old cannot dress herself, cannot communicate in any way apart from pulling me to where she wants to go, cannot use the toilet, cannot regulate her emotions at all. I just hope other theme parks don't follow suit, I think it's a massive step backwards for people with these extremely limiting disabilities.

And yet there are posters saying that their DC would not be able to queue, but could enjoy the ride itself. My nephew would be the same. The queue wouldn't be manageable for him - he gets incredibly anxious, tearful and stressed standing in crowded places with people all around him, even with headphones etc. He would love to go on the ride as he finds them exciting. The two things are not comparable in terms of his experience of them.

You appear to lack any meaningful understanding of neurodiversity.

Went to Chessington a few years ago. The queue for disability was just as long as the regular queue. The worker was letting so many of the disability queue in. When we questioned the worker, she said disabilities are hidden. Yes some are, but most of those children she was letting through seemed completely normal. There's no way there'd be that many children with disabilities needing to skip the queue.

Well it is I suppose- it’s equal opportunities. If something is preventing you from accessing something everyone else can access then it is an issue. And it’s a bit of a sad take to say that anxious people should just not go a theme park. They would like to be able to enjoy things as much as anyone. It’s hard enough getting ND kids out on days out and this will make it harder

Oh, I can answer it but I won’t engage in any more dialogue with you.

Well, that’s enlightening.

Oh dear, so much ignorance on this thread. I thought most people could differentiate between a queue and a ride but there you go.

It’s why I don’t bother going to these places anymore.

Wow, thank you for these wise words. I agree, some of the comments which I’ve read on this thread are truly disgusting. Life is so, so hard for people who are autistic or have ADHD or other “invisible” disabilities. It so hard for their families too. I would never wish the heartache, trauma and despair we’ve experienced ,as a family, on anyone. But how comes we have more empathy and compassion in our little fingers than some of these posters have in their whole bodies? 💐

They've probably had to do it as there were getting to be so many people in the fast queue, people in the slow queue were never getting a go.

Just awful. No checks to see if anyone was actually immobile?

Cripes - how on earth do you expect a theme park worker to check if someone in a wheelchair is actually immobile?? Aside from the fact these workers are often kids themselves with zero authority and little experience, there is no way to challenge someone in a wheelchair at that point and shouldn't be, piss-takers notwithstanding.

Yes, that is what DLA/PIP is there for.

I’m sorry but no one wants to queue for 2hrs for a ride disabled or not. People are saying there is more people in the RAP queue than the normal queue.

all I am seeing is people saying they can’t now go because they can’t have the pass, no one seems willing to learn coping techniques or paying to skip the queue.

If over 50% of visitors are disabled that means they have twice as many people in rap queues compared to the normal ones. It doesn’t make any logical sense. I get they have implemented new accommodations that no one seems to like but no one seems prepared to try them

people shouldn’t be excluded from something if a disability can be accomodated but lets be honest expecting accommodations when you don’t actually need them is people thinking they are entitled to special treatment, hence why so many people with autism/adhd in the thread & over social media are agreeing its the right move

I don't anymore. It's got worse over time. But if she absolutely loved rides I don't think she should be unable to access them because of her autism. You don't tell people in wheelchairs not to go anywhere with stairs, do you?!

Sadly the genie+ is gone and the new system isn’t anywhere near as good.

Exactly

So you've read the thread, can see that the consensus from some is that the queue is over stimulating for some people, but the ride isn't, and draw the conclusion that people with invisible disabilities therefore can cope with the queue. Even though you've been told why they can't?

No, I already use the DLA to feed and cloth them because they need full time care, can't access childcare and can't attend school full time, meaning so I can't work.

How far do you actually think the £74/week really goes towards raising a disabled child.

Yes, because THEY are capable of queuing. Just because they are, doesn't mean everyone is, especially children. DLA/PIP is there to support you in delivering the extra support you or your child needs on a day to day basis. Do you have any experience of that at all? You post would suggest not. And where on earth did you get the 50% of visitors with disabilities figure from?

No, but I’d suggest anyone avoided completely voluntary experiences they found terrifying?
Hardly comparable.

When we were in Disney land who have more of a skip the line pass than Merlin parks as their is no virtual waiting we genuinely would just got to the exit and be allowed straight on. There was a family who happened to seem to be at every ride were were on and we would go on straight away eventually she spoke up and got angry. Along the same lines as you said “ she looks fine “
I didn’t respond or even engage I didn’t defend myself or shout out in front of a huge group of people that she what you can’t see has Iv lines , feeding tubes and stoma under her clothing.