Article on ECV use @ WDW for convenience

[Alex2kMommy]

I thought you guys might find this article interesting, since there has been a lot of discussion on getting glares for using an ECV when your disability isn't obvious. Apparently more people are using an ECV for convenience rather than real need, and Disney and other places are actually beginning to encourage it!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2003175744_scooters06.html

 

[Chuck S]

I don't know how you surmise from that article that Disney is encouraging it. The rental places are prohibited by privacy clauses in the ADA from inquiring as to the specific nature of a disability to qualify for a scooter rental. The law was written assuming most people would be "honest". Unfortunately, times have changed in America.

 

[justplaingoofy]

I don't agree with using one unless needed. My dad is an MS patient that is wheelchair bound and hardly ever goes out because he thinks it is"a hassle" for my mother.

I would be so upset if he finally went out someplace (whether it be Disney or Walmart) only to find that an abled body is tooling around in it to save up energy to go out at night. Because if he ever had a choice it would not be sitting in a scooter or power chair! Thats me and my two cents

 

[Schmeck]

So what if people of all abilities use scooters, especially at WDW? Why would someone have to be disabled to rent one? I don't get the reasoning here at all...

 

[BillSears]

So what if people of all abilities use scooters, especially at WDW? Why would someone have to be disabled to rent one? I don't get the reasoning here at all...

The problem I have with it is that there are limited resources for wheelchair and ECV users. Only 2 can fit on a bus at a time. Many rides limit you to one wheelchair/ECV user per ride cycle. There is limited seating at shows/parades/fireworks for wheelchairs/ECVs. The parks often can't handle the amount of disabled who need these accomidations and flooding the parks with more ECVs so people don't "have" to walk could be a problem for those of us who can't walk.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I don't know how you surmise from that article that Disney is encouraging it.

You're right, it said "big theme parks", not specifically Disney, and mentioned a vendor outside of WDW advertising to ride all day/dance all night. My bad.

 

[Schmeck]

Bill, thanks for the input. I guess I just assumed those that could get out of their ECVs would just park them outside of the attraction and queue with their family, in FP line if they had them, or in standby.

I also see the difficulty of using WDW bus transportation with a flood of ECVs. Doesn't WDW have other transport for families with wheelchair/ECV users that can be called if needed? I thought they had a van fleet that could fit more than 2 ECVs/WC.

 

[Talking Hands]

I also see the difficulty of using WDW bus transportation with a flood of ECVs. Doesn't WDW have other transport for families with wheelchair/ECV users that can be called if needed? I thought they had a van fleet that could fit more than 2 ECVs/WC.

Last time I visited WDW we were unable to use the special buses because they were both out of order. That's right. Only two in the entire Disney fleet can handle more than 2 w/c,ecv, powerchair. We were told that more are on order but who knows when they will arrive.

 

[Juliah]

I also see the difficulty of using WDW bus transportation with a flood of ECVs. Doesn't WDW have other transport for families with wheelchair/ECV users that can be called if needed? I thought they had a van fleet that could fit more than 2 ECVs/WC.

Also, we would like to be able to go to a bus stop on a whim just like anyone else and not always have to plan things out hours or a day in advance (which I presume one would need to do to be picked up by one of Disney's limited number of vans). We never know how our DD, who has cp & mitochondrial disease, will feel on any given day, or how our other DD, who has cp, asthma, & chronic pain will sleep (and therefore might need to sleep in), so arranging transportation in advance would be really tough. We rarely even make ADRs for restaurants.

 

[Belle1962]

You may take my place and ride all day if I can dance all night in your place!!

My ex-Dh and I used to go dancing at least 3 - 4 times per week, and even taught dancing, prior to my accident. I would love to be able to dance the night away again!

Of course you also have to take the the cigarette level, bu** view, invisibility shield that also comes with a wheelchair/ecv.

 

[waltfan1957]

So what if people of all abilities use scooters, especially at WDW? Why would someone have to be disabled to rent one? I don't get the reasoning here at all...

there are only so many to rent at disney if people who dont need them take them then what happens to the people who really need them, you even asking this question shows your lack of understanding

 

[chris1gill]

Also, we would like to be able to go to a bus stop on a whim just like anyone else and not always have to plan things out hours or a day in advance (which I presume one would need to do to be picked up by one of Disney's limited number of vans). We never know how our DD, who has cp & mitochondrial disease, will feel on any given day, or how our other DD, who has cp, asthma, & chronic pain will sleep (and therefore might need to sleep in), so arranging transportation in advance would be really tough. We rarely even make ADRs for restaurants.

Juliah, I never thought I'd see anyone else on the board with mito! Not that that is a good thing, but hey, I'm not alone I'm an adult with mito, but just wanted to say hello

I can't agreen enough with what BillSears said in his post....

 

[justplaingoofy]

I think some people just think that some people that are wheel chair bound "choose" to be in one...

I think there are alot of people out there that don't know anyone in a wheelchair. If they did they would not be asking these questions. They would know that if given a choice they would be up walking around!

 

[bumpysheep]

I think the people in the article using scooters because it's easier should be fined. Fine would be being disabled and NEEDING a scooter or wheelchair virtually round the clock for a month. Might be a good cure for their atditudes. That's like people who bring their pets around in capes because they like it, while giving service dogs a bad rep.

 

[Juliah]

Juliah, I never thought I'd see anyone else on the board with mito! Not that that is a good thing, but hey, I'm not alone I'm an adult with mito, but just wanted to say hello

Hi chris1gill! Nice to meet you. My DD is 20. She was diagnosed when she was 16 after five years of baffling all her doctors.

There was another mom around here with a DD who has mito, but I don't know if she's still active on the boards.

 

[Schmeck]

there are only so many to rent at disney if people who dont need them take them then what happens to the people who really need them, you even asking this question shows your lack of understanding

If someone knows that they definitely have to have an ECV, especially at WDW, then they know not to depend on getting one at WDW, and rent from an offsite company.

I don't qualify for any kind of disability, but I have a large chunk of flesh missing from my left leg. I can walk WDW, but I'd be more comfortable at the end of the day if I used an ECV. So, do I "deserve" one or not? Who's going to play god and decide who "really" needs one or not?

What if I wake up with leg cramps the next day - that's happened to me even before my cancer surgery. Can I have an ECV then?

I think that those people who claim to be "lazy" and use ECVs are actually people who are out of shape/not healthy, and I think they have a right to use ECVs too. Why can't they take it easy in the parks, and have the energy to enjoy a night of dancing afterwards? What's wrong with that?

 

[BillSears]

If someone knows that they definitely have to have an ECV, especially at WDW, then they know not to depend on getting one at WDW, and rent from an offsite company.

Actually I don't think eveyone knows that. All of us here certainly do but some people don't really research before going to WDW and just assume they can get an ECV once they are there. Also alot of people don't want to deal with the bus transportation problems with an ECV so they just rent at the parks.

I don't qualify for any kind of disability, but I have a large chunk of flesh missing from my left leg. I can walk WDW, but I'd be more comfortable at the end of the day if I used an ECV. So, do I "deserve" one or not? Who's going to play god and decide who "really" needs one or not?

What if I wake up with leg cramps the next day - that's happened to me even before my cancer surgery. Can I have an ECV then?

I think that those people who claim to be "lazy" and use ECVs are actually people who are out of shape/not healthy, and I think they have a right to use ECVs too. Why can't they take it easy in the parks, and have the energy to enjoy a night of dancing afterwards? What's wrong with that?

I've learned not to judge people on what they decide that they need to handle thier disability. If you feel the need for you to get an ECV because of your leg then please get one.

However I'd prefer that people not use an ECV unless they have some sort of disability. The reason WDW allows ECVs in the parks is because they are covered under the ADA laws. Once able bodied people use them they're abusing the system.

Many years ago WDW had wheelchair users enter through the exit for most rides. This lead to many abuses by people who would rent a wheelchair for the day to avoid lines so WDW then made almost all lines wheelchair accessible. If too many people use an ECV for convenience instead of need WDW may have to make changes to accommodate the change in numbers of ECVs. Maybe WDW will eventually require those using a wheelchair/ECV for disability reasons to obtain a GAC and those without a GAC will have to park outside of all rides or shows. Of course if this is done then parking areas for ECVs will have to be added. Maybe the busses will need to eventually be changed to handle 4 ECVs, maybe 6 ECVs all depending on how popular this becomes and of course this will not be popular with the non ECV using public. ECV use won't be just one or two people in a family but all members of the family will use them so they're all well rested. There are probably many issues I haven't thought of that might happen with even 10% of guests using ECVs.

Right now WDW doesn't allow guests to use Segways in the parks because of similar problems above. I'm sure it would be alot easier for people if they could bring thier bicycles into the parks too but it's not allowed. Darn why can't I just drive my car up and down Main Street, it sure would be easier for me.

 

[Nanajo1]

I have tried to respond to this post but I find myself getting so angry. I have always be a big advocate of 'If you need help then get it. Don't be concerned about what other people think.' Now I'm afraid there will be more judging if someone "really" needs the ECV. I feel people who take unneeded advantage of the strides the disabled have made to get accommodations so life is a little easier are mocking me. I know this hostlity I feel will pass but I had to vent.

 

[justplaingoofy]

I have tried to respond to this post but I find myself getting so angry. I have always be a big advocate of 'If you need help then get it. Don't be concerned about what other people think.' Now I'm afraid there will be more judging if someone "really" needs the ECV. I feel people who take unneeded advantage of the strides the disabled have made to get accommodations so life is a little easier are mocking me. I know this hostlity I feel will pass but I had to vent.

I posted a reply on this thread and cannot condone a healthy person using it just to "save their energy" when someone that needs it may have to go without...
with that being said.... disabilities come to all genders, ages, shapes & sizes. I don't think twice when I see someone using one. I just assume that they need it...... I hope everyone that "needs" one can get one!

 

[Figment's friends]

My mother will be in an ECV on our trip. She has a neuromuscular disease and her mobility will never get better. I will also have one rented as I have had recent knee surgery(ACL reconstruction) My knee feels pretty stable, but then I am still limping and doing 2 hrs of physio a day. My Dr. told me this was the only way I could insure I would not overwork my new ligament. I look healthy and would really love to try to walk the parks, it just isn't worth the risk for me. I will use it to go between but will park it and walk into restaurants and into ride lines. My mother doesn't have that choice. I am renting from offsite so I will not be taking away from anyone needing one at the parks. I have worked so hard to mend this knee the right way, I am going to take my Dr.'s advice and protect it.
If my recovery is good enough by the time we go and I get approval from my DR. I will gladly cancel my ECV and hoof all over the place. If not I will be one of the people getting sneered at for being "almost able". I have no malicious intent and have no plans of taking advantage of anything. I just want to enjoy Disney in a safe way.