In 2011, IDA Founder and President, Wayne Connell and his wife, Sherri needed to travel to California for medical reasons, so they decided to stop in Disneyland first. Due to her illness, disability and chemical sensitivities, Wayne needed to consult with Disney representatives to see if the visit would even be possible.
One of the concerns Wayne addressed was the automated air fresheners in the bathrooms. Wayne provided information from IDA’s Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign regarding the prevalence of chemical sensitivities, asthma and allergies and how the sprayers can pose a blockade of accessibility to the restrooms.
The outcome was not what Wayne expected. Not only did Disney agree to make a special accommodation for Sherri, but they changed an entire policy in order to remove a barrier for thousands of others who would like to enjoy the parks.