Do Medical Walkers Count As Mobility Devices To Be Loaded On First, On WDW Buses??

[GroovyWheeler]

My mom got our plane tickets for Disney World next year, and because of her severe back problem (fractured L-3, but she's doing OK), I told her that I decided to take my Kaye walker (a great walker, by the way) and rent an ECV at the parks (or wheelchair if I don't feel like driving). This will make it easier on her, because she won't have to worry about taking my wheelchair, too (which saves her from having to take it apart/put it back together at the plane gate).

Will they allow me to board first, with my walker, like they do with my wheelchair? Also, will they tie it down like a regular wheelchair, or would I have to fold it (which can be a pain sometimes, because the buttons that you push in to fold the walker, often "stick")? I know it's a medical device, but wasn't sure if it was "acceptable enough", to be considered to be loaded on first. I call it my "mini-wheelchair" because it can go where my 2 wheelchairs can't, and it has one of those fold-down seats that I flip down when I need to rest.

Thanks, Samantha

 

[dclfun]

Walkers do not get loaded on first as you would be expected to go up the stairs for your own safety vs. the ramp. In addition there's no way to tie down a walker safely and you'd need to fold it. For your own comfort you might want to consider renting an ECV- that way you can ride it into the busses. I would hope that people would be considerate and allow you to go first though with the walker, but I wouldn't count on it ( sigh ) ---Kathy

 

[GroovyWheeler]

I know that the city bus drivers here in town, have gotten the lift out for me, and let me ride up on it with my walker, as they would if I'm in one of my wheelchairs. Some would also tie it down as it is, or I'd have it unfolded in the wheelchair space, and hang onto it, if they didn't. I'm hoping my mom won't object to having to fold it, and carry it on the bus each time. We're planning to rent an ECV at the parks, rather than offsite, because there will be times where we'll have a rental car (even though we'll be staying at one of the All-Star resorts and using the bus system), and my mom didn't want the hassle of taking apart the ECV and loading it, especially in her condition, as we're planning to go to Universal again too.

I'm guessing that I'd be able to leave my walker at the park ECV/wheelchair rental place, where it can be stored until I'm ready for it again. My walker has a sticker with my name and address, along with the sticker of my DME's company name and address and also their phone number, so I'm not too worried about it being mistaken for someone else's. It's covered under my mom's medical insurance though, in case it does get lost/stolen.

Thanks, Samantha

 

[dclfun]

Samantha- you can certainly store the walker at the rental place. Riding a lift while standing is dangerous (but it must be tough to go up those steps. The busses at Disney are usually very crowded -not always but definitely in the morning and at closing or after a parade, etc. and folding the walker will allow more guests to board and be safer for everyone including your Mom. You will often find all the seats filled and people standing from front to back. BTW, I thought I heard about a new policy that will allow for reservations of ECV's at the parks. Perhaps someone else knows more about that and could chime in as it would be important to assure availability for one. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Federal Law (ADA) requires the driver to let you use the lift or rear entrance of the bus if you desire. The lift may not be the best for someone standing with a mobility device, but the newer buses have either fold out or slide out ramps, which would not be a problem. Here's the quote:

People using canes or walkers and other standees with disabilities
who do not use wheelchairs but have difficulty using steps (e.g., an
elderly person who can walk on a plane without use of a mobility aid but
cannot raise his or her legs sufficiently to climb bus steps) must also
be permitted to use the lift, on request.

And here's where it's from, TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION; Subtitle A--PART 37_TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA). It's actually in Section 37.165 Lift and Securement Use.
You would also be one of the people the signs on the bus are talking about when they say to offer certain seats to people with wheelchairs or disabilities.
I would probably print off a copy of the law, highlight the appropriate parts and bring it with you.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

Thanks Sue; I've been anticipating how it'll work out, although I'm hoping that the driver will let me use the lift, just as I would if I had my manual wheelchair (as the bus drivers do here). Of course, if the walker has to be folded once on board the bus, it's doable. With the huge size of the walker, it's very heavy to carry, especially since it has a fold down seat attached to it. But, we'll manage the best we can. We've traveled with it a few times on an airplane (both gate-checked, and checked it all the way through to our destination), and it's been easy for us.

One thing I'm worried about though, is people bumping into the back of me, in a crowded area. That's happened a few times, which (on those occasions), nearly sent me flat-faced into the ground, if I hadn't acted as quickly as I did, to catch myself from falling. They seem to see me, but don't see my walker.

Samantha

 

[SueM in MN]

One thing I'm worried about though, is people bumping into the back of me, in a crowded area. That's happened a few times, which (on those occasions), nearly sent me flat-faced into the ground, if I hadn't acted as quickly as I did, to catch myself from falling. They seem to see me, but don't see my walker.

Samantha

My DD also had a Kaye walker; it seems like people are kind of used to the front walkers and don't see the rear walkers. I wonder if you added something to it (like flashing lights - just kidding about that
But, maybe there is something that would make it more visible and not get in your way for using it or for folding it.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

One of the buses we used at WDW actually tilted so that the step was level with the sidewalk, and it was much easier for my mother and I to board, because you didn't have to step up, but I don't think all of them do that.

Good Luck

Suzanne

 

[SueM in MN]

One of the buses we used at WDW actually tilted so that the step was level with the sidewalk, and it was much easier for my mother and I to board, because you didn't have to step up, but I don't think all of them do that.

Good Luck

Suzanne

The newer ones with the ramps do.

 

[dclfun]

Also if you are in a bus queue, look for the area to stand where w/c's are loaded. This way at least you aren't bumped into in the regular line and the driver will see you standing there even though I've always heard the driver ask the person to use the stairs vs. lift. If a bus arrives with a lift vs. the ramp you can always request for the driver to call in a bus asap with a ramp. I've had some drivers refuse to allow my chair on the lift ( much less hassles lately) because I have to drive forward which is considered unsafe... and will then call for the ramp bus. Their biggest concern is safety. I've personally seen a driver refuse someone with a walker being able to use the lift type bus. He cited safety reasons if that person should fall. Sometimes the lift is a jerky ride up or it gets stuck, etc. so it made sense to me. I'd rather wait for a bus that would be comfortable vs. risk being injured. ---Kathy

 

[LindaBabe]

From personal experience, I'd rent the ecv from off site and save the walker for times when you use the car.