The new ADA rules were officially published today

[Justin Jett]

Someone corrected him.

 

[jcb]

This is interesting:

http://www.wheelchairjunkie.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=3813&Number=30351#Post30351

All I have to say to this is "Meg Crofton."

 

[fakereadhed]

This is interesting:

http://www.wheelchairjunkie.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=3813&Number=30351#Post30351

Wow. After checking out that other forum I am comforted to know that all communities are ripping each other apart. The autism community does the same thing! Makes the DIS pool hopping and mug sharing and stroller debates seem like child's play.

 

[DisneyKevin]

This is interesting:

http://www.wheelchairjunkie.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=3813&Number=30351#Post30351

This person needs to get......................................................cake.

 

[wishspirit]

This person needs to get......................................................cake.

I would suggest pie, but cake will do!

 

[Justin Jett]

This person needs to get......................................................cake.

My Response:

http://www.wheelchairjunkie.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=3813&Number=30369#Post30369

I do not want to get this thread off topic, but I need to respond to your points to avoid any misunderstandings:
The “DIS Unplugged” web radio show is unbiased, and presents honest opinions of every aspect of a Disney experience. Reviews on the show and website are never dictated or skewed because of sponsorship or advertising. On the March 25, 2009 show, the podcast team had a discussion of my letter about DRAFT’s objection to the Segway settlement, the host of the show actually said the HE was a critic of Disney. Also, during the May 13, 2009 live show, there was a Q&A session with a Disney VIP. There were no restrictions put on what could be asked, and the DIS members did not hold back. They did not give the guest any slack at all.
These are only two examples, but the reviews and content are not dictated by advertising. If a sponsor is talked about on the show or site, the financial relationship is fully disclosed, but the opinions expressed are always honest. The shows that I have mentioned are available for listen, if anyone would like proof of these examples I have given.
The site is indeed independently owned. I am confused about why an ad would show otherwise.
Also, why should a person’s opinion be discounted because they are a blogger or moderator? Someone can disagree with something another person said, but to dismiss their opinion totally because they volunteer on a website is very unfair. I do not see what is funny about me not being the only disabled person that has strong feelings against Segways in a theme park environment.
In fact, a different lawyer than Jack came on the Disabilities DISboard today, and told us why Segways will be allowed under the new two-tier regulations. He also gave us an interesting perspective on DRAFT’s objection to the Segway settlement. He recently started posting on the DISboards, and is not a moderator. Differing opinions and negative comments are welcome, as long as the poster is respectful to other posters and readers. I encourage anyone who disagrees with the post that I linked to (for any reason) to go back and read the entire thread. There are many different opinions expressed in the thread
Lastly, I have referred to myself as a “disabled person” through my entire life. I’ve heard it used frequently, by disabled people and non-disabled people alike. In fact, a poster who supports the use of Segways for disabled people, used the phrases “Disabled Segway Users” and “disabled people” in his posts. It did not offend me, nor did it seem to offend anyone else on the Disabilities board. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37597404&postcount=56

 

[jcb]

As always, Skip, your response is very well stated. I am not sure why this person had to be derogatory to make their point.

Sticks and stones.......

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, I know the answer to that one, Jack! When people can't discuss or argue with or attack ideas, they move on to things, then people.

 

[Justin Jett]

Thank you both. Usually if things get to that point, I ignore it and walk away. However, his points could easily be proven false, and I thought it best to respond politely with facts and examples to back up my statements.

I have overcome so much in my life. I choose to be thankful and enjoy the things I can do, instead if wasting my time feeling angry about things I cant do. Life is too short for that.

I'd love to experience Space Mountain, but I do not go around complaining about how Disney should allow me to put an adolescent size car seat in the vehicle. If I did that, I may miss out on something special that I could do.

Bottom line....I, personally, appreciate the "crumbs" that I've been given.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Skip, you are awesome, and I hope you get to ride Space Mountain someday.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Skip, you are awesome

I could not agree more.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

:

 

[Belle1997]

I would simply cite (ii) in refusing all Segways. Yes, traffic fluctuates by season, day, even hour - what do you do when only 500 people show up at 9 AM, but by 11 you have 15,000? Eject all the Segway users? Err on the side of caution.

Walt Disney World won't let me use Tower of Terror's mainstream queue while on an ECV. I can do it. I have. I didn't know it wasn't allowed, and the Greeter was busy with other Guests, so I just rode on up. None of the other CMs even blinked an eye. But when I tried to do the same thing later in the week - nope. Turns out, because not ALLECVs can maneuver through the ropes, they don't allow ANY to try.

And that's my support for my decision

This happened to me too. I was so angry. I have my own scooter and it is a travel scooter it is smaller than most wheel chairs. I was furious to say the least. I have MS so pushing a wheel chair is not an option. They were rude too. They need to use brains to realize your own scooter then you know what you can do and not do. I am still writing a letter to WDW. I was disgusted with how they treated my personally own scooter!!!

So can wheel chairs maneuver through ropes Anyone can.

To make it worst I got stuck on Space mountain. My battery died. One Cm actually said no lie. We can not do anything to help you. You chose to walk or scooter into this park.

What I had not choice. I can not walk in the heat. They seriously need sensitivity training.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I just wanted to pipe in here now that she has posted. I am a longtime friend of Belle's and spent some time with her while at WDW two weeks ago. She was treated absolutely HORRENDOUSLY by the CMs at both ToT and SM. She is making light of what took place at SM, but I found it absolutely deplorable when I found out. To sum it up...

One of the nights I was visiting with friends, Belle and a few other DISers in the area went to MK. At one point, she left the group and went to SM during EMH at night. She was told that the lift was working for Space Mountain and soon discovered it wasn't once she got to the ride. I am not all that familiar with how that is set-up, so she can explain it better, but apparently her scooter died as a result of it having to exert extra power because of the lift mechanism not working. She said that this was dangerous because of the angle she was in; her scooter could have flipped over.

When she discovered her scooter died, the CMs were not very helpful at all. They were rude and condescending towards her. One even said that there might not be any way for her to get back to her resort as the buses would stop running by the time the manager was available. This was the part that absolutely infuriated me. How could someone who is wheelchair bound find a way home in a situation like this? She was stranded in Tomorrowland which is thousands of feet away from the bus area and she had no wheelchair or scooter to get her there. Why would a cast member even say something like this to her? Wouldn't that terrify her? OF COURSE!

She waited several hours, in tears, not knowing what to do or how to get home as she was by herself. The CMs did not show her any concern. Instead, they treated her as more of a bother than anything. The manager eventually showed up to the scene. He was not very compassionate either, but apparently an arrangement was made to get the scooter charged at some location and returned to Belle soon enough.

Eventually (several hours later, to be exact), Belle was able to leave the area. I'm not sure of the specifics of this so I am hoping she'll chime in here. The next morning, when I found out what had happened (Grr...you should have called me), I assumed Disney would be delivering the scooter to her. Unfortunately, they dropped the ball on this one again. Instead, they made her travel, without her mobility device, to TTC in order to pick it up. I'm fuming at this. All the while, Belle was more concerned about meeting up with a group of us at DHS for a get together. That's just the type of person she is --- putting others before herself. Disney should have treated her well here, not cast her aside.

Disney and its CMs made many mistakes here. They were rude, uncompassionate, and unprofessional. We experienced similar CMs at ToT who verbally embarrassed Belle at the queue line. I was there for this one and didn't want to overstep my grounds, but definitely showed my disgust. I'm shocked at how she was treated in both of these situations and can only blame it on the lack of CM training over the past few years. I'm hoping you write that letter, Belle. Something needs to be done.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Nikki, and Belle, that's absolutely ridiculous. You should definitely write a letter. I don't know all of the rules and procedures that Disney CMs have to abide by, but I can guess that no one would get called out for going out of their way to help a guest who needed it. Being stranded for several HOURS is crazy.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Guest Communications
Executive Offices
Post Office Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040



wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[wishspirit]

If I was a Disney CM, I would of got another ECV as quickly as possible and helped her transfer, then organise for hers to have been charged and returned to her resort.

Anything less is outrageous! I really do hope you write a letter Belle! Saying those things to scare you is beyond crazy!

When one of the powered wheelchairs at work ran out of battery, we ended up with four of us helping the mom get the chair into the van so she didn't have to wait for it to charge. Those things are heavy, but they can be moved!

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I hate no win situations that just make lawyers rich. If Disney says Segway's are a saftety hazard they get sued to prove it. If they allow them and someone get's run over they get sued.
Nobody wins and we end up paying for it through higher prices.
That guy on the other board needs to realize there is no "Whole Loaf". It's making the best out of a situation and by definition that can't be black or white.
From what I have read here on this new law Disney's best play is to continue to say they are a safety hazard and soak up those lawsuits. The alternative is allowing them, someone gets run over and the much bigger lawsuit that will result.
In the meantime we are all paying for either scenario as they keep raising ticket prices

 

[WDWAurora]

Skip, this is why you're such a good blogger-you're a very funny writer!! I think it's the honesty that comes across so well, and you just put such a humourous spin on things. I'm glad you stood your ground on the other board.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If I was a Disney CM, I would of got another ECV as quickly as possible and helped her transfer, then organise for hers to have been charged and returned to her resort.

Truly, something similar is what an area manager did for me when my rented ECV broke down inside Buzz Lightyear entirely accidentally. I'm SHOCKED that Belle was treated so horribly!!!