A judge has ruled a federal lawsuit that demands people with autism to have the ability to go to the front of attraction lines at Walt Disney World is officially going to court next year.
First, beginning back in 2014, after Walt Disney World changed its policies for people with autism and other disabilities (after it was believed that some Guests were abusing the previous system), the plaintiff of the suit has finally been given an official trial from U.S. District Judge Anne Conway. The judge set a four-day trial in Orlando beginning February 18, 2020, which could drastically change a policy that has negatively affected some Guests with autism.
Related: Disney In Plain English – Disney World Goes To Court Over Disability Access Policy
Disney World’s current policy allows those with disabilities (including autism) to reserve rides and attractions in advance using a Disability Access Service Card. However, it’s been argued by some that the DAS assistance card is more similar to the standard wait time, and for those with severe autism, this can still be quite the struggle as a long wait time has been known to cause meltdowns for some Guests with the disability.
The lawsuit involves the unidentified plaintiff, who goes by “A.L.,” an Orange County man who filed the case when he was 22 after he claimed Disney World’s new policy altered his routine when visiting Magic Kingdom. When visiting the Park, “A.L.” would travel “in only one direction, stopping at only the same places, in the same order, every time.” However, when the new policy came, he could no longer go about this same method.
In a statement last year, the company spoke on the policy change affecting the accommodation of saying: “Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all our Guests.”
When the case goes to trial, “A.L.” will be represented by Tampa, Florida, attorney Andy Dogali, who believes Disney will not reach a settlement with the plaintiff before the February trial.
Source: Orlando Sentinel