Changes To the Disability Services Offered at Universal

Here is what you need to know if you or a loved one are considering applying for Universal’s Attractions Assistance Pass. The program requirements have changed.

Universal’s Attractions Assistance Pass

Many guests may wonder what Universal does to accommodate guests with disabilities when they visit the theme parks. Universal’s Attractions Assistance Pass (AAP) is one such offering.

Essentially, Universal’s Attractions Assistance Pass is intended for Guests whose disability prevents them from waiting for extended periods in a conventional attraction queue environment. Universal designed it to provide equal access to attractions for these Guests.

It is not a way to bypass the Guests waiting in the traditional queue. However, it does allow these Guests to let their wait time elapse in an environment more appropriate for their needs.

Individual Accessibility Card Program

Last year, Universal Updated its AAP program by requiring all Guests who wished to apply to first register for an Individual Accessibility Card (IAC) through The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). You can read about its introduction HERE.

The organization created the digital IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC) as a free resource for individuals who need to request accommodations or assistance at participating amusement parks and attractions. According to the IAC, the card is for anyone “who is requesting accommodations – including but not limited to individuals who are autistic, use a wheelchair, are blind/low vision, deaf/hard of hearing, have mobility support needs, are accompanied by a service animal, have sensory sensitivities, cognitive disabilities, or have other needs and concerns.”

While IBCCES does not require applicants to disclose a specific medical or psychological diagnosis, Guests must upload documentation of their needs to the system.

Guests wishing to obtain a card must apply at least 48 hours prior to the conversation with the park they are visiting in order for the card to appear in the system.

Changes to Universal’s Program

Universal used to require the IAC to apply for the AAP. However, now it is optional, not required. According to Universal’s website, Guests requesting an attraction queue accommodation “may obtain the IBCCES” IAC.

Once the IBCCES approves the IAC for a Guest, a Universal Team Member contacts them to discuss accommodation. The card does not guarantee the AAP, and the Team Member will help determine what is most appropriate.

However, now Guests who are unable to register for IAC in advance now have the option of contacting Universal’s Guest Services team by phone or visiting Guest Services in person to discuss accommodations. Universal no longer requires IAC for the discussion.

The IAC is now optional for Universal Guests wishing to obtain the Attractions Assistance Pass.

Another Change

There is another change as well. Now, Guests who obtain the IAC and complete the conversation with the Team Member before they visit are being directed to a dedicated IAC fulfillment location to receive their accommodations once they arrive in the park.

This is great news for those who do exercise the option of obtaining IAC. Guests who have experienced long waits in the Guest Relations line know how excruciating that wait can be. It makes much more sense for Guests who have difficulty with traditional queues to be able to avoid a long queue to obtain the very pass that allows queues to be more accessible for them.

It also appears that Guests who already have been approved for the IAC and AAP in the past are still permanently approved so long as they renew the card each year. So far there is no need to reapply for each visit.

With all the controversy surrounding Disney’s DAS program, many Universal Parks Guests are doubtless concerned about whether assistance will become difficult to obtain at Universal. People are also worried restrictions will become tighter once Epic Universe opens. But, for now, the shifts at Universal appear to be positive.

Have you had any experiences with Universal’s Attraction Assistance Pass? Did it work well for you or your loved ones? What do you think of the changes to it? Let us know and be sure to share the information with the people in your life who are considering seeking accommodations at Universal.