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Disney Shareholders Reject Proposal for Independent Review of DAS Changes
In a decisive move, Disney shareholders have officially rejected a proposal to launch an independent investigation into recent changes made to the Disability Access Service (DAS). The vote confirms that the company will proceed with its current policies without a mandatory third-party audit, signaling shareholder support for Disney’s existing management of its accessibility programs.
Related – Shareholders Push Disney to Investigate Impact of Recent Disability Access Updates
During the Annual Meeting held on March 18, 2026, shareholders cast their votes on Proposal 7, a measure titled “Review and Report on Disability Inclusion and Accessibility.” This proposal, brought forward by shareholder Erik Paul, sought to mandate that Disney Parks hire an independent third party to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its disability access policies.
The requested audit was designed to assess these policies through the lenses of legal, financial, and reputational risk, with the goal of providing a detailed summary of the findings directly to shareholders. Just 5% of the shareholders voted to approve the audit.
While Proposal 7 didn’t demand specific operational shifts or guaranteed outcomes, it underscored the critical link between accessibility and brand integrity. Policies governing inclusion directly shape guest safety, regulatory standing, and long-term customer loyalty. When these systems are misaligned or applied inconsistently, the fallout reaches far beyond a single guest’s experience, creating significant operational and reputational risks for the company.
In early 2024, Disney overhauled its Disability Access Service (DAS) requirements for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, significantly narrowing eligibility criteria. Instead of providing DAS, the company suggested that some guests practice waiting in line at home or request return times directly at attractions—a shift that proved challenging as many frontline cast members had not been trained for these specific accommodations.
In response to these changes, disabled shareholder Erik Paul submitted a proposal late last year requesting that Disney hire an independent expert to evaluate the various risks associated with the new DAS policies. Initially, Disney petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to exclude the resolution, arguing it was “materially false and misleading” and related to “ordinary business operations.” However, an SEC policy shift just two weeks later removed the requirement for Disney to seek such approval.
Paul continued to push for the proposal’s inclusion, issuing a poignant statement:
“Disney has long told stories where the powerless rise, villains fall, and wrongs are made right… Yet now, in a twist worthy of its darkest tales, the company risks becoming the villain of its own story—using newfound power to silence the very shareholders it should be listening to. Disney now faces a clear choice: live up to the values it sells to the world, or step into the role of villain silencing the disabled community.”
Following this pressure, Disney ultimately agreed to include the proposal in its proxy materials and withdrew its “no-action” request, though it remained steadfast in recommending that shareholders vote against the measure.
While Disney has made minor adjustments to DAS since the overhaul—such as extending the service’s validity period and providing more clarity on the required pre-arrival video calls—significant tension remains. A class-action lawsuit alleging disability discrimination was filed against Disneyland in February 2025 and remains ongoing in the courts.
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