Disney’s disability access service is in the national news this week after a recent move by an advocacy group to attempt to get Disney to roll back the program changes. An Associated Press story summarizing the changes, which went into effect over a year ago, and recent developments has been picked up widely across major media outlets.
Let’s get into this recent move by the advocacy group, DAS Defenders, and their recent attempt to push back on the disability access service program changes. Plus, how Disney responded already, and if anything could happen here. At Mickey Visit, we cover recent Disney news, including the announcement of a new Hallmark Disney movie collaboration and recent ride reopenings at Disney World. See new details on the Disney DAS disability pass shareholder efforts and a new update.
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Advocacy Group Keeps Spotlight on Disney Disability Access Changes
The advocacy group, DAS Defenders, has been actively pushing back on Disney’s changes to the disability access program since the changes were first introduced. Their mission statement describes them as “a grassroots group dedicated to promoting accessibility for individuals with disabilities, established in reaction to exclusionary changes to Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS).”
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DAS underwent a major overhaul last year to reduce overuse, misuse, and other challenges that were starting to undermine the program’s effectiveness. Since then, Disney has continued to refine the system, including updates to the online registration process.
One of the most widely discussed early-2025 changes was the removal of the word “only” from the phrasing that DAS is available to guests with “developmental disabilities or similar.” As we noted in our original coverage, this wording adjustment did not actually broaden eligibility for the program, even though some guests initially hoped it might.
The 2024 updates to Disney’s disability access program have significantly narrowed who qualifies for the service, which is why groups like DAS Defenders have emerged. These advocacy groups aim to push back on the new guidelines in hopes of broadening the eligibility criteria.
DAS Defenders have become a prominent voice in this advocacy movement and have constantly pitched reporters to keep these disability service changes in the national spotlight. We have received nearly 20 story pitches from the organization via email in 2025. Just this week, the program’s changes, despite taking effect back in June 2024, were covered in-depth by the Associated Press. That was partially due to a recent shareholder proposal.
Shareholder Proposal Introduced by Disability Advocates
The most recent move from advocates includes the introduction of a shareholder proposal that “urges The Walt Disney Company to assess the legal, financial, and reputational risks associated with its controversial Disability Access Service (DAS) overhaul.” Part of the language in this shareholder proposal attributed the recent dip in Disney Parks attendance, previously noted by executives on a February 2025 quarterly shareholder call, to the more restrictive DAS eligibility criteria.
A shareholder proposal is a formal recommendation that can be submitted by any investor of a public company that asks the company to take a specific action. These proposals are typically submitted for inclusion in the company’s proxy materials for a shareholder meeting. Shareholder proposals are typically motivated by governance, social, or environmental concerns. Companies must include proposals unless they meet specific legal exclusions, but recent SEC guidance is changing the process.
In November 2025, a new action by the Trump Administration led the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance to announce that it would no longer review company requests to exclude shareholder proposals, except in limited state-law situations.
As a result, the SEC will no longer serve as a “neutral referee” in the shareholder-proposal process. Experts on this policy shift point out that it may grant corporations greater authority to dismiss shareholder proposals. Since the SEC will no longer review most exclusion attempts, corporations can more easily argue that a proposal shouldn’t be included and leave it out.
According to DAS Defenders, this ruling has allowed Disney to more easily silence this recent shareholder proposal, which sought “an independent, board-supervised assessment of legal, financial, reputational, operational, and competitive risks created by the DAS overhaul, with findings reported to shareholders.”
Disney is about to vote on this newest proposal after now backing down from its move (below) to exclude the proposal.
Disney’s Response to Shareholder Proposal
The Walt Disney Company wrote in its response letter, available on the SEC website, that it intends to exclude this proposal from its proxy materials for the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders. Let’s break down Disney’s response, reading between the lines of all the legal jargon, to explain their denial of the shareholder proposal and outline their counterargument.
1. The proposal is “materially false or misleading” (Rule 14a-8(i)(3) / Rule 14a-9)
Disney disagrees with the assertion that their “brand and financial stability are under strain.” They state that the attendance decline in early 2025 was attributed to hurricanes and not the disability-access changes, as we covered here. Disney also argues that the characterization of the survey mentioned in the proposal is misleading.
The survey cited by the proposal claimed that “over 85% of disabled Disney guests … are unlikely or refuse to return due to the changes.” Disney counters that the survey lacks disclosed methodology, many respondents had not yet applied under the new system, and the survey was limited to just one park.
According to Disney, due to these “misleading statements,” the proposal violates proxy-solicitation rules and so may be “excluded in full under Rule 14a-8(i)(3) and that the Proposal is materially false and misleading in violation of Rule 14a-9.”
2. The proposal deals with ordinary business operations — not a proper subject for a shareholder vote (Rule 14a-8(i)(7))
Disney also argues that “decisions about accessibility, accommodations, and how it runs its parks are fundamental business/operational matters,” and these are matters management is best positioned to handle.
Disney calls out a long-established precedent here that shareholder proposals that seek to micromanage day-to-day operational decisions or require detailed management actions (like an internal review and policy changes) can be excluded.
The response also calls out the ongoing litigation related to its disability access changes and argues that this shareholder proposal would interfere with its litigation strategy and could undermine legal defenses. Ideally, both executives and shareholders are working toward the same goal of the company’s overall success.
3. Disney says it has already “substantially implemented” the proposal (Rule 14a-8(i)(10))
In its final response, Disney argues that it already offers a wide range of accommodations for guests with disabilities, and that the changes to its disability program reflect its ongoing efforts to manage access responsibly. Since these objectives are already being addressed, Disney argues that the proposal is moot or redundant. You can see more information on the additional accessibility services introduced as part of the change here.
Are Disney DAS Changes Coming?
So what does all of this mean for the future of the disability access service at Disneyland and Disney World? In all likelihood, this filing will not directly drive a change. Disney’s coordinated legal response to the shareholder proposal, paired with the recent SEC policy shift, has almost certainly ensured the proposal will be excluded from the upcoming shareholder meeting.
Even if the proposal were included in the meeting, it would still have to be voted on by shareholders. That space would give the issue a platform, but it is unlikely for this proposal to pass a vote based on past precedent set by previous proposals.
We’ve seen a few small tweaks to the disability program since the new restrictions were introduced, but I don’t believe these signal any broader rollback of the service. However, the opposition here is organized and vocal, so I imagine we will continue to see a spotlight on the impact the disability program restrictions have had on the Disney community.
We will continue to cover any changes to the Disney DAS offering to keep you up to date.
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I have 2 kids who previously qualified for DAS. If they do not qualify for my next trip in Dec/Jan when my passes expire, I will not renew my pass or go again. Probably ever. I have spent so much money for our family for passes and food and merchandise. But I cannot and will not afford lightening lanes. Although they make no sense with their rules, as people with life threatening issues are denied, and some autistic adhd kids are denied all the while some are. It’s literally at the RUDE cast members discretion. There is no real set of rules they follow. It’s shady. Just my view. The guy who interviewed me was super rude and short with me.
Ok they are saying because of Hurricans so Fl is the reason, but about Disneyland.?
There should be a petition or something for people who had qualified for DAS before and don’t now. I use to and have been to the park since the change, I refuse to go back until this is fixed. The new DAS policy is so limited and outrageous.
There is a petition in change.org
I am a native Floridian who has visited WDW repeatedly since 1971. So many people take advantage of disability “perks”. The accommodations are not PERKS. It is a way to level the field so everyone can play. Rather than reduce accommodations, WDW should invest in ensuring that the accommodations fit all who need them and exclude those who do not need accommodations.
Moreover, the “magic” is no longer “preserved”. Those who remember pre-COVID, WDW’s slogan was “preserve the magic”. Now, it is clearly about preserving the stock prices. High prices, long lines, fewer employees, and those who work (the younger generations) are so entitled that WDW should pay consumers to visit.
Disney’s plan has always been to slowly push everyone off DAS and make everyone pay for lighting lane. The only thing Magic about Disney is them turning everything into money.
My husband is disabled. His left side is partially paralyzed. The first time we went together, we went to the Office right inside the park. He had to prove that he is disabled. He did and they gave him a DAS pass for the entire time he was at the park. Just because someone rides on an electric cart does not mean they are disabled.
Anyone can rent one.
I’m not sure why they stopped doing the questions in the office. People have misused that DAS pass or whatever it is called.
I hope that Disney gets it right and help the people that actually need help. The misuse really is bad, and I thought that BEFORE I brought my husband to the park.
I am almost certain that the lower attendance has more to do with the higher ticket prices and having to spend all day on your phone trying to manage your return times and reservations rather than enjoying time with family.
Still way too crowded. The Crowds need to be thinned out more. Especially costing a family of
4 thousands to attend. Do what you need to do Disney or we won’t be dropping our 10k every
spring.
I had a annual passes for years I’m also a 100% disabled veteran this year I didn’t renew our passes because I was not allowed my das pass that I’ve had for years to be able to go to the park I had to buy lighting lanes for my wife and myself I never had a problem buying an accommodation for virtual queues that I didn’t get as everyone had that issue but I refuse to pay for a simple accommodation that should be available the first day i tried to use their alternative accommodation the experience was so horrible we ended up buying lighting lanes by noon I will never go back to Disney until the change there attitude toward the disabled we now go to universal studios it was a simple accommodation and worked wonderful