Disney Lawsuit

[puppet]

Disabled people are suing Disney because they are not permitted to bring their Segways into the parks. The guests can stand, but apparently cannot walk very far.
Now I mean NO offense to those who are disabled, but I take issue with this because...
1. Segways could cause accidents. From someone who has been on a Segway multiple times AND has gone on both tours at WDW, I can tell you that it isn't uncommon to see people bump into one another by accident. On the tours, they take you around for the most part in places where there are no people, such as World Showcase before 11:00 openning and the Fort Wilderness trail. In close quarters, a PERFECT driver could accidently bump into something or someone! Imagine a crowded walkway where there are people everywhere, such as a parade route or a narrow path..anything could happen!
2. Segways need to be leaned on something, like a wall or rail.
3. Disney HAS provided alternatives in the form of ECVs, which are easier to maneuver in a crowd because you are not elevated above everyone else. I have traveled to WDW with someone who can stand and not walk very far, and they did just fine with an ECV. Because of these alternatives, this lawsuit seems frivolous.
4. Is it fair to all of the children that they can't see shows because people on Segways tower over them?
5. I'm pretty sure that a Segway doesn't have the power to last a day at WDW, especially if you're hopping.
6. Crash with an ECZ, it's a little bump and you stop immediately. Crash with a Segway, and a person who can stand but not walk (who would surely have poor balance) would fall with their Segway ONTO a person.

Your thoughts?

 

[julie007]

Gotta agree with you. There are other alternatives that are safer. I sure hope they don't win. Why would those be allowed and not the skate shoes. I agree also with the sight factor with their height. Get a friggin wheel chair or the ECV why are people so suit happy!!

 

[hildarumpole]

I'm sympathetic to the needs of the disabled and their desire to enjoy life to the fullest, including Disney, but this lawsuit is absolutely ridiculous. It's not as if these people have no alternative means of moving around the parks. Plus, the non-Disney Segways travel at a faster pace, which intensifies the risk of injury to bystanders. If these people don't want to ride an ECV or wheelchair, they don't have to go to Disney.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Anyone can rent a wheelchair or ECV at WDW, if this passes, everyone and their brother will be, either renting them, or bringing their own and using it. It's like the threads of old of teenagers and adults renting evc's just to save their feet and legs, not medically needed. Bring on the segways, whoses to say they are medically needed. this is going to cause a bigger problem then the EVC's, I hope the suit is won by WDW. If you are physically challanged, use the scooters, EVC's or wheelchair, segway are a stand up device, to me more physical than them.

 

[fla4fun]

Segways are expensive like ECV's are (and even more so) so I can't imagine that there would be an overabundance of them if Disney changed their rules. The big catch is the fact that they move faster than scooters, which could be very dangerous in a crowd. So far as I am aware, Segways are not classified as a disabled mobility device, as only vehicles of three or four wheels, running in a certain speed range, are classified for use as a disabled mobility device (I've been doing a lot of research for my mom). They are still considered a recreational or transportation vehicle.

There are three wheel mobility scooters made that you can either stand or sit, which would be more appropriate for a theme park setting. Perhaps Disney could start offering some of those for rent alongside the ECV's and manual wheelchairs. The three wheel ones are supposedly more stable and I'm sure they can be set to run at specific maximum speeds. It might be a good compromise.

I sympathize with anyone who has a disability, but since there are alternatives available, I can totally understand Disney's position on this one.

 

[siugoalie78]

Might as well allow 4 wheelers, motorcycles, and cars too, right? Those are all vehicles that the disabled can use. Wouldn't have to worry about a shortage of handicapped parking spots when you can just drive your car right onto space mountain.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Moving this over to the Disney News & Rumors board.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[KYMickey]

this radius to be closed since it is redundant with another larger thread that's already exists in the rumors and news board!