Official Wheeled Vehicle Policy

[Cheshire Figment]

The following official Disney policy concerning wheeled vehicles for people with disabilities was announced on December 11, 2009.

Please review these guidelines regarding wheeled mobility devices that our Guests with disabilities are welcome to use while visiting our parks and resorts.

* All wheeled mobility devices must have 3 or 4 wheels and maintain stability and balance when unoccupied.
* The INDEPENDENCE iBOT mobility device is permitted for use throughout our parks and resort areas and can be operated in a two-wheel balance mode, but must be in four-wheel mode to board and use attraction ride vehicles and transportation vehicles.
* Devices must be single-rider. Devices must be used by the person with the disability and are not to be used to carry passengers.
* Devices may not exceed 36" in width. This dimension is in keeping with the size of our entrance gates.
* Devices must not be converted recreational devices. For example, pull wagons or coolers on wheels are not permitted.
* Devices are to be operated while seated. Devices that require the user to stand must be directed to your area Leader or Duty Manager for additional actions.
And it further indicates that:

• According to its manufacturer, the INDEPENDENCE iBOT is a FDA approved indoor/outdoor power mobility device that can rise to eye level, drive over uneven surfaces, climb curbs, and go up or down stairs.
• It is individually configured for its user and can be operated in standard, four-wheel mode or in a two-wheel balance mode.
• Also making it different than other two-wheel or stand-up devices, the unique operating and balancing systems of the iBOT™ allow the device to default to a four-wheel mode when it detects an error.
• Following the manufacturer’s guidelines, we require guests to be in four-wheel mode to board and use attraction ride vehicles and transportation vehicles.
• We rely upon our guests to use their best judgment and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on when to travel in the two-wheel balance mode when not on transportation or attraction vehicles.

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the update.
I will add this to the FAQs thread.

[BillSears]

That all sounds reasonable to me.

[KPeveler]

The only one that worries me is the one that says "must be operated by the person with the disability" - I know lots of people who switch off when they need a chance to walk. I know this is largely to keep untrained people or kids from the devices, but my wife drives mine all the time when i get on a ride and she doesnt. (i have a powerchair) Oh well... i guess since we are careful and dont act foolishly, it won't be a problem


Something else to mention:

My new mobility device will have 6 wheels, not 3 or 4 (getting a new Quantum 600, as soon as insurance is done being stupid). Not that I think anyone will stop me, but since there was already a problem with an approved device, perhaps the rule should be amended to include this...

[KPeveler]

I also wanted to say that i am VERY happy that disney reiterated that only ONE person is allowed on a mobility device at a time!! I saw SO many people using their laps as a way to transports multiple children, which is unsafe.

[SueM in MN]

The only one that worries me is the one that says "must be operated by the person with the disability" - I know lots of people who switch off when they need a chance to walk. I know this is largely to keep untrained people or kids from the devices, but my wife drives mine all the time when i get on a ride and she doesnt. (i have a powerchair) Oh well... i guess since we are careful and dont act foolishly, it won't be a problem


Something else to mention:

My new mobility device will have 6 wheels, not 3 or 4 (getting a new Quantum 600, as soon as insurance is done being stupid). Not that I think anyone will stop me, but since there was already a problem with an approved device, perhaps the rule should be amended to include this...
I think that the part I bolded was mostly so that they have a way to stop someone without a disability from 'joyriding' and acting in a dangerous way when the person with a disability may be not in the wheelchair for some reason. I actually often drive DD's power wheelchair from the side for her when she is tired or otherwise unable to drive.

And, I think they specified 3 or 4 wheels to rule out anyone using a device with less than 3 wheels (like the Segway). The other reason is that a device must have at least 3-4 wheels to be self supporting.
http://www.fda.gov/ucm/groups/fdagov-public/documents/image/ucm082387.gif
The iBot actually has 6 wheels, as do mid wheel power wheelchairs like the Quantum you are getting and my DD"s Invacare TCX wheelchair.

[mickeysaver]

Devices must be single-rider. Devices must be used by the person with the disability and are not to be used to carry passengers.


:worship:::yes:: This is my first post after returning home. I got home about 15 minutes ago. My largest peeve about the trip was the number of people that I saw this week with one or two children riding on ECV's with them. :mad: I sincerely hope the CM's start addressing this particular behavior, even if it's not a scooter that Disney owns and rents. I was shocked at the huge increase in this particular behavior. I have seen only one or two EVC drivers in all of my past trips that had their kids on their scooters, but this time, there were at the very least 20 scooters carrying 1 or 2 kids in addition to the adult driver. :sad2: While I don't envy the CM's for having to say something about it, I do applaude those that do make the effort because those kids need to be safeguarded, even if their parents are too ignorant and/or stupid to do so.

[SueM in MN]

:worship:::yes:: This is my first post after returning home. I got home about 15 minutes ago. My largest peeve about the trip was the number of people that I saw this week with one or two children riding on ECV's with them. :mad: I sincerely hope the CM's start addressing this particular behavior, even if it's not a scooter that Disney owns and rents. I was shocked at the huge increase in this particular behavior. I have seen only one or two EVC drivers in all of my past trips that had their kids on their scooters, but this time, there were at the very least 20 scooters carrying 1 or 2 kids in addition to the adult driver. :sad2: While I don't envy the CM's for having to say something about it, I do applaude those that do make the effort because those kids need to be safeguarded, even if their parents are too ignorant and/or stupid to do so.
Even worse than the people having their kids riding with them on their ECV are the people who have their children in their laps and the children are driving the ECV.
We were behind a woman using an ECV a few trips ago in Epcot who kept looking to the side, not the direction she was going. Her ECV seemed to be swerving all over. As we got closer, I saw it was not that she wasn't watching where she was going - she was not driving. The small child in front of her was driving. He was standing to be tall enough to see over the tiller and could not have been more than 4.:scared1:

I have seen too many people to count who have a child on the ECV with them, but I've actually seen 10-15 with the child doing the driving.

[BillSears]

I do agree about the ECV and a child. But as a fulltime wheelchair user I carried my DD in my lap from when she was an infant. I realize that in dealing with such a large and diverse crowd of people WDW needs to make some choices. But not all lap kids are bad.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2/BillSears/BillCacie3.jpg

[cmwade77]

My concern is the 36" rule, I know plenty of people who have and need approved devices wider than 36", I think Disney would be hard pressed to enforce that one if one of them showed up.

[syko]

I'm 36"+ and just got home from the MK.
I do not fit through the main gates and have to go through the large ones in the middle.......no problem getting in, but the lead (CM) did not want to let me out!!!!

[bookwormde]

I think the focus on safety is excellent. The wording and order is not ideal, but since it is a guideline giving it the “’legal” wordings would have made it harder for many to understand. Quite honestly they did not need the first line if they had made the safety mode in the second line generic.

It sets model for other devices with 2-wheel capabilities that if a manufacturer can design a “safe” one specifically adapted to individuals with a disability then this is certainly within the “spirit” of the guidelines.

There are certainly some word and items that are not within the ADA guidelines, like limiting the device to 36” (which should have been worded just that these devices will not fit through standard ADA openings and may limit access for the individual) and the standing device review should say safety review and potential additional actions, but I whole a good step forward in ensuring that the safety of WDW will improve, in so much as mobility devices are concerned.

bookwormde

[Schmeck]

Where was this announced? - the OP has cut/pasted but I can't seem to find the original source.

[KPeveler]

Sue - I know you have posted it before - What are the ADA guidelines for what an "approved medical device" width and length? I know there is a maximum size that businesses (including disney) MUST accommodate - not that they do not let the larger ones in, but i know that there is a maximum size for things like wheelchair lifts and stuff...

[OneLittleSpark]

CF, thanks for posting this! It all seems to be fairly sensible stuff, and hopefully will be enforced with common sense by all CMs :thumbsup2.

I do agree about the ECV and a child. But as a fulltime wheelchair user I carried my DD in my lap from when she was an infant. I realize that in dealing with such a large and diverse crowd of people WDW needs to make some choices. But not all lap kids are bad.

This was the one thing I was thinking about with that rule, too. I don't yet have kids, but when I do, they're going to ride on my lap at least some of the time. Hopefully Disney will understand this, and CMs won't stop people in this situation, as long as they are safe.

I completely understand on the ECV front, of course; I've seen a few kids hit the controls or the driver's arm in their excitement, and send the ECV lurching off in some random direction :scared1:. I've also seen one or two kids driving, but thankfully I've not seen any accidents as a result.... yet.

Bill, just got to say that picture of you and your DD when she was little is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for posting it :goodvibes

[SueM in MN]

Where was this announced? - the OP has cut/pasted but I can't seem to find the original source.

He is a CM and I'm quite certain it is from the CM website.
I imagine it will eventually end up on the WDW Guest website with the disability information, but I don't have time to look if it is there yet.

[Cheshire Figment]

Where was this announced? - the OP has cut/pasted but I can't seem to find the original source.
This was announced in the internal (passworded) site as it is providing guidance for Cast Members. I imagine that some similar public announcement may be forthcoming but probably requires more wording approval from Legal.

[KPeveler]

CF, thanks for posting this! It all seems to be fairly sensible stuff, and hopefully will be enforced with common sense by all CMs :thumbsup2.



This was the one thing I was thinking about with that rule, too. I don't yet have kids, but when I do, they're going to ride on my lap at least some of the time. Hopefully Disney will understand this, and CMs won't stop people in this situation, as long as they are safe.

I completely understand on the ECV front, of course; I've seen a few kids hit the controls or the driver's arm in their excitement, and send the ECV lurching off in some random direction :scared1:. I've also seen one or two kids driving, but thankfully I've not seen any accidents as a result.... yet.

Bill, just got to say that picture of you and your DD when she was little is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for posting it :goodvibes

I think that it depends on the device and the user - kids will also be on my lap with my powerchair, but we with manual and power wheelchairs do not have controls in front of us - it is much harder for kids to accidentally hit the controls for a manual chair! ;)

[Schmeck]

Even if you think your child will not interfere with the safe use of a wheelchair or ECV, what do you think happens when the child loses balance? Either you keep your hands on the controls/wheels/brake, etc., and the kid tumbles off onto the pavement, or you let go of the controls and grab the kid.

Or think of it this way - would you drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic with your toddler in your lap?

[SueM in MN]

Sue - I know you have posted it before - What are the ADA guidelines for what an "approved medical device" width and length? I know there is a maximum size that businesses (including disney) MUST accommodate - not that they do not let the larger ones in, but i know that there is a maximum size for things like wheelchair lifts and stuff...
The ADA includes guidelines for length, width and occupied weight.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (49 CFR Parts 27, 37, and 38) defines a "common wheelchair" as a mobility aid belonging to any class of three or four-wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed for and used by individuals with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered. A "common wheelchair" does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length measured two inches above the ground, and does not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied.

For some perspective, my DD's power wheelchair, which looks truly huge to me is less than 25 inches wide and less than 39 inches long.
The WDW rental ECVs look very large, but I measured one the last time we were at WDW and it actually was only 24-25 inches wide also.

My concern is the 36" rule, I know plenty of people who have and need approved devices wider than 36", I think Disney would be hard pressed to enforce that one if one of them showed up.
They would not need to be accommodated per the current ADA Guidelines, so even though they may bring it in, they may not be able to use it in lines, stores, attractions because it is bigger than the size of doorways and access routes required by the ADA. There are specific measurements in the ADA Architectural Guidelines that say how big spaces need to be. If someone has a device larger than that, their device does not have to be accommodated - a 36 inch wide doorway would be large - many are that wide, but I am fairly certain that the requirement is only for 32 inches wide.

Disney lists their standard bus lift as being 32" wide x 48" long and does say that any mobility device needs to fit on the lift without forcing in order to board the bus. That size comes from the ADA/Federal Transportation Laws regarding access.

As for passengers on ECVs, power or manual wheelchairs, I imagine they will be very black and white; keeping it no passengers. If you actually go back to the operator's instructions for any of those things, I'm very sure there is something in the book that says "no passengers" or "don't allow anyone to ride with you."
For power devices, it is a safety issue for other guests, so they would be within their rights to ask anyone (even someone with a personal ECV or power wheelchair) to not have any riders. If they get 'gray' and say that they will enforce it for guests who are renting ECVs in the park only, they will get lots of complaints from those guests when they see other people doing it. And to be honest, most of the people I have seen with extra passengers or child drivers have not been using WDW park rental ECVs. And, a child falling off of a moving ECV or power wheelchair could be badly hurt and WDW would have some liability if they saw and didn't stop.

As far as manual wheelchairs, I'm sure they are concerned about lawsuits - if a child being held falls out of the wheelchair, I am sure there are people who would sue because the pavement is uneven or something else. Again, it would be much easier for CMs just to have the rule black and white.

[OneLittleSpark]

I think that it depends on the device and the user - kids will also be on my lap with my powerchair, but we with manual and power wheelchairs do not have controls in front of us - it is much harder for kids to accidentally hit the controls for a manual chair! ;)

Ooh, are you two talking kids already, or is this just 'for the future'? With a power chair, you have the option of putting the child on the other side from the joystick, so they can't reach out and whack it :scared1:. Obviously this wouldn't work for all powerchair users, as someone with limited movement in one arm (from a stroke, for instance) might not be able to hold a child with their weaker arm.

Even if you think your child will not interfere with the safe use of a wheelchair or ECV, what do you think happens when the child loses balance? Either you keep your hands on the controls/wheels/brake, etc., and the kid tumbles off onto the pavement, or you let go of the controls and grab the kid.

Or think of it this way - would you drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic with your toddler in your lap?

I've actually got fairly good at stopping my wheelchair with my elbows now, if I need to catch something with my hands. It's not great for your clothes, and can give you some interesting rope burns, but works at a pinch. I also make sure to leave a decent stopping distance between me and the person in front, just in case I have any problems stopping. With a power chair, if you take your hand off the control, it will put on the breaks immediately (at least all of the power chairs I've come across, please someone correct me if I'm wrong). That means you could catch the child, and the chair would stop itself - everyone's happy :goodvibes

Besides, there will always be 'ways around' these problems which can be explored. I don't have kids yet, but when I do, I am going to want to go out with them, without having to rely on my fella to carry them / push a buggy (stroller); if that means they ride on my lap, then we'll find a safe way to do that.

As for passengers on ECVs, power or manual wheelchairs, I imagine they will be very black and white; keeping it no passengers. If you actually go back to the operator's instructions for any of those things, I'm very sure there is something in the book that says "no passengers" or "don't allow anyone to ride with you."
For power devices, it is a safety issue for other guests, so they would be within their rights to ask anyone (even someone with a personal ECV or power wheelchair) to not have any riders. If they get 'gray' and say that they will enforce it for guests who are renting ECVs in the park only, they will get lots of complaints from those guests when they see other people doing it. And to be honest, most of the people I have seen with extra passengers or child drivers have not been using WDW park rental ECVs. And, a child falling off of a moving ECV or power wheelchair could be badly hurt and WDW would have some liability if they saw and didn't stop.

As far as manual wheelchairs, I'm sure they are concerned about lawsuits - if a child being held falls out of the wheelchair, I am sure there are people who would sue because the pavement is uneven or something else. Again, it would be much easier for CMs just to have the rule black and white.

I can understand their concern for safety, and also worrying about lawsuits (there are people out there who will sue for just about anything, nowedays :sad2:). It's not an easy issue to deal with, as you've got to ensure everyone is safe, without unfairly restricting disabled Guests. I'm sure the majority of people using mobility aids in the park will be safe and sensible, but then again, that's no consolation to the person who gets run over by a 4 year old on an ECV. I can easily see both 'sides' of the discussion; it's not an easy one to make a call on. I really don't envy Disney having to make and enforce these rules, and I wish them all the best. :thumbsup2

Anyway, I'm off to bed now, night all!

[peemagg]

I know it is for safety sake, but I think by not allowing someone with a disability to transport their child in a way that they are able to is discrimination.

Let me put it in another way: An able bodied person can run around all day long carrying their child if they so desire. What if they step off the curb and the child falls to the pavement. Does this mean that because Disney allows them to be carried they have some responsibility for this and can be sued, even if there was nothing that they did wrong except to not stop the parent from carrying their child?

Sometimes I think people get so worried about lawsuits and such they don't see how they are discriminating against others.

Now don't get me wrong, I do think that if a person who is disabled is allowing their child to drive or are acting in a wreckless manner, then yes they should be stopped.

[KPeveler]

I know it is for safety sake, but I think by not allowing someone with a disability to transport their child in a way that they are able to is discrimination.

Let me put it in another way: An able bodied person can run around all day long carrying their child if they so desire. What if they step off the curb and the child falls to the pavement. Does this mean that because Disney allows them to be carried they have some responsibility for this and can be sued, even if there was nothing that they did wrong except to not stop the parent from carrying their child?

Sometimes I think people get so worried about lawsuits and such they don't see how they are discriminating against others.

Now don't get me wrong, I do think that if a person who is disabled is allowing their child to drive or are acting in a wreckless manner, then yes they should be stopped.



I think it will be a case-by-case basis. I fully intend to get one of those baby-carrying slings for an infant, and one of those "baby-backpacks" that you put on your back for a toddler, and wear it on the front. essentially, i am strapping the kid to me, and I am strapped to the chair, so that child is not going anywhere.

I dont know as driving an ECV with a child on your lap is ever safe, because the child must be between the controls and the driver.

Those of us who are wheeled everyday, whether in Disney or not, come up with ways of making things work, and we will deal with it as we need to.

OLS - No, we are not pregnant yet, but i expect we will be within a couple years :) My wife is almost 30, so we dont want to wait too long!

[Cheshire Figment]

My ECV is almost 200 pounds without me on it (almost 500 with me) and can do 4½ MPH. If I were carrying a child in such as position as that child could press the control bar and they should push it, the ECV could be driven off a curb, into a wall, or crush into someone! In any case, serious injuries to me, passenger and/or pedestrian(s) could happen.

[syko]

Officialy you are not allowed to push or pull anything from your wheelchair, but I push a stroller and have never had anything said for the last 3+ years.
If i'm just popping in for a little while, my Dd will sit on my lap.

If Disney want me to stop taking my Dd to WDW by myself then they can let me have a VIP guide for free and they can push her stroller!!!!!

[OneLittleSpark]

OLS - No, we are not pregnant yet, but i expect we will be within a couple years :) My wife is almost 30, so we dont want to wait too long!

:goodvibes:goodvibes:goodvibes:goodvibes:goodvibes :goodvibes

If Disney want me to stop taking my Dd to WDW by myself then they can let me have a VIP guide for free and they can push her stroller!!!!!

Hehehe, sounds like a good idea to me :thumbsup2

[bgohre]

Let me put it in another way: An able bodied person can run around all day long carrying their child if they so desire. What if they step off the curb and the child falls to the pavement. Does this mean that because Disney allows them to be carried they have some responsibility for this and can be sued, even if there was nothing that they did wrong except to not stop the parent from carrying their child?

Sometimes I think people get so worried about lawsuits and such they don't see how they are discriminating against others.

Now don't get me wrong, I do think that if a person who is disabled is allowing their child to drive or are acting in a wreckless manner, then yes they should be stopped.

I was thinking the exact same thing. If someone told me I couldn't carry my daughter I think I might get a little irate.

However, I think in the ECV cases it's the case of a few bad apples spoiling the whole lot. Those folks that follow the rules and drive in a responsible manner needs to say something to those that do not. Because of course, as someone who does not use any mobility device, for me to say anything would turn me into a bigot.

[Momelie]

I think for me the one that took the cake was the guy at DHS that was driving his Disney ECV with his wife on his lap! And they were old enough to have 20-something children with them. It was a sight to see...

He kept asking me how much my little personal ECV had "set me back" and if it "kept my dogs from barking at the end of the day."

Sigh......

My disease was diagnosed nearly 6 years ago, and I've been pretty much confined to an ECV at Disney for 5 full years, my own for 4 of those. In the beginning, my youngest was just 6, and probably would have loved to ride on my ECV, but it took about 5 nanoseconds to see just how dangerous it would be with my arthritic hands and her lightning quickness. Bad combination!

I think my biggest complaint with the whole situation is that I can't think of a single instance where I've ever seen a cast member approach and/or remove a double rider from an ECV, or even give a warning. NEVER. And I'm there about 6-7 days a month on the average. You would think in the 5 years that I've actually been paying attention that I would have seen it happen at least once. Has anybody else ever seen it? Am I just always in the wrong place and time? I'm probably oblivious, but I do see some people riding around like that more than once in a whole day, sometimes in more than one park.

Or is this posted regulation a new procedure that will now enable cast members to correct these situations? I was under the impression that the rule had been in place for quite some time, just never enforced.

[SueM in MN]

I think my biggest complaint with the whole situation is that I can't think of a single instance where I've ever seen a cast member approach and/or remove a double rider from an ECV, or even give a warning. NEVER. And I'm there about 6-7 days a month on the average. You would think in the 5 years that I've actually been paying attention that I would have seen it happen at least once. Has anybody else ever seen it? Am I just always in the wrong place and time?
I have seen CMs caution people a number of times (we are usually in WDW twice a year for 10-12 days at a time).
Several times I have seen the child get off and then the parent/grandparent put them back on again as soon as the CM had gone out of sight.:sad2:

[Momelie]

I have seen CMs caution people a number of times (we are usually in WDW twice a year for 10-12 days at a time).
Several times I have seen the child get off and then the parent/grandparent put them back on again as soon as the CM had gone out of sight.:sad2:

Ah! Now THAT (unfortunately) sounds all too much like the typical behavior of the average double rider!

[dclfun]

We are at WDW right now and I had my 2 year old grandson by myself in a park on several occasions for short periods of time or riding w/in the resort. He has ridden in my lap since he was old enough to sit independently and knows full well that he cannot touch Grandma's joystick or even squirm around- he is perfectly behaved when he's alone with me. I was given grief only by bus drivers who called managers who then admitted that he was safer on my lap than falling asleep while standing up ( there were no free seats that time) or sitting away from me where he *could* get up and walk around to try and get to me. I didn't want a stranger grabbing him either or being responsible even though another guest offered to watch him. While safety should be first and foremost, there is also common sense. Those of us who live in w/c's and are familiar with our chairs and families, having a child on our lap, esp. when we are the only adult with that child, is the safest thing to do. Those who rent ECV's and as such otherwise have *never* travelled on one with a child would be a little more questionable. Allowing a child to drive an ECV ( or power chair) is absolutely irresponsible and should be stopped immediately by a CM- and that person should be radioed in so that they can be watched and asked to leave the park or turn in the ECV if they continue the behavior and endanger themselves as well as others.---Kathy

[peemagg]

I think it does sometimes need to be a case by case basis.

I have been in situations with my young niece and nephew before where the only way for me to keep him under control was to put him on my lap on my scooter. When ever the kids do need to ride with me they are not allowed to touch the controls and they know it. We also are not going at the fast setting. If I did not do this, then I would not be able to do things with them alone. The way things stand right now about riders on scooters and wheelchairs, then no one who is handicapped with small kids could go to the parks or whereever alone with the children. They are forcing us to pay more and bring assistants with us that just are not needed. That is a form of discrimination!
If I want to take my young nieces and nephew to WDW or anywhere else, I shouldn't be forced to bring someone else with me, just because they are afraid of lawsuits.

[Schmeck]

If I want to take my young nieces and nephew to WDW or anywhere else, I shouldn't be forced to bring someone else with me, just because they are afraid of lawsuits.

No, but you should bring someone with you if you cannot keep them safe - and riding an ECV or propelling a manual wheelchair with a child on your lap is not safe.