Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Disney Shareholders Reject Proposal for Independent Review of Disability Access Service

CEO Josh D’Amaro defended an expert-guided approach to accessibility, signaling no commitment to undo the 2024 DAS overhaul.

Overview

  • Proposal 7, filed by shareholder Erik Paul, sought a third-party evaluation of Disney’s accessibility practices focused on legal, financial, reputational and enterprise-risk issues.
  • Approximately 5% of votes supported the measure at the March 18 annual meeting, aligning most investors with the board’s recommendation against it.
  • Disney previously asked the SEC to allow exclusion of the resolution, later withdrew that request, and included it in proxy materials while urging a no vote.
  • Disney tightened DAS in 2024 to focus eligibility on guests with developmental disabilities like autism, with approvals capped at one year and reapplication via a required video call.
  • An ongoing class-action lawsuit challenges the policy changes as Disney implements incremental guidance tweaks and critics report denials and impractical staff advice.