Family 5k NOT open to the disabled?

[Jessica14]

I'm thinking of training for the Family 5K on Marathon Weekend. My kids are joining me, but I would love it if my DH could too. He has mild cerebral palsy and wears leg braces and walks with crutches. The website for the race said that no crutches were permitted. I wondered if that meant for a temporary injury or no one period. I can see with that amount of people it may be dangerous, but on the other hand, its how he gets around all of the time. Any info would be appreciated!
Jessica

 

[maroo]

I would call Disney and ask them...

It may be a hazard to the other runners...I doubt they would think that he would injure himself, but I can see how it could be an issue for someone running beside him...not to see them and trip??

I am totally with you on this, though, I hope they let him participate!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I imagine no crutches period for safety reasons because of concerns around people not seeing the crutches and either being tripped or tripping the person using the crutches.
Here’s what it says about items that are not allowed:
Safety Reminder:
For everyone’s safety baby carriers, baby backpacks, inline skates, motorized scooters, bicycles, skateboards, canes, crutches, walkers, walking sticks and animals of any kind are prohibited from the course.

They don’t make any mention of wheelchairs and I know that people using wheelchairs often run in races, so I wonder if he would consider racing with the rest of your family using a wheelchair?

Not sure if this link will work:
http://www.active.com/framed/event_detail.cfm?EVENT_ID=1942511&CHECKSSO=0
There is a “Contact Us” link on that page that you could use.
My guess is that they won’t allow crutches, but that 'Contact Us’ would probably be the best place to ask.

 

[Jessica14]

Thank you! I absolutely understand the danger of it for others. It just seems a shame that everyone can't participate. I doubt very much if he would use a wheelchair. He never wants to look like he needs any assistance.

I just e-mailed them by using the above link. If he can't participate, he can't. It just seems ashame that there is not place for those who may need wheelchairs, service animals, etc. I really get the safety aspect, but those with disabilities really should be able to be with their families in the Family event.
Jessica

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know for the Marathon (and half-Marathon) they allow wheelchairs and they start before everyone else as they tend to be faster and don't interfere with the runners.

And, to expand on what Sue has said, Disney considers Guest Safety to be of overriding concern over everything else. This is why, for safety reasons, they prohibit all sort of stuff (as stated above) from the course.

 

[crashbb]

I know for the Marathon (and half-Marathon) they allow wheelchairs and they start before everyone else as they tend to be faster and don't interfere with the runners.

And, to expand on what Sue has said, Disney considers Guest Safety to be of overriding concern over everything else. This is why, for safety reasons, they prohibit all sort of stuff (as stated above) from the course.

I was going to say the same thing (your first paragraph), *IF* they allow wheelchairs, they will likely have them leave before the runners.

Another thing that I've seen races do (mainly 5Ks) is to have people with strollers start at the back of the group (so that other people don't have to pass them). I've never seen crutches specified, but that may be something that WDW is willing to try.

 

[Mary976]

Just agreeing with PPs. At one race I saw, wheelchairs being self-propelled by the wheelchair user started first, and then wheelchairs being pushed by someone else (like a parent pushing a child, for example) started in the back with the strollers.

Also, it doesn't sound like the wheelchair is a good option for the OP, but if it is, some races require wheelchair users to wear helmets while racing. I've seen plenty of people using everyday wheelchairs in races, but the rec center where DD does adaptive sports will loan out racing wheelchairs to people who want to race but don't own a specialized chair. I don't know that any of this will be helpful to the OP, but I hope they are able to figure something out with Disney!

Mary

 

[bookwormde]

call explain the situation and Disney should be able to accomodate you in your standard mode of mobility

 

[disfan07]

call explain the situation and Disney should be able to accomodate you in your standard mode of mobility

Not if it puts the other guests at risk. Their response will probably something involving her DH using a wheelchair instead if he would like to partcicpate.

They are providing resonable accomodations and if crutches could put others at risk, they won't bend on that rule.

 

[crashbb]

Not if it puts the other guests at risk. Their response will probably something involving her DH using a wheelchair instead if he would like to partcicpate.

They are providing resonable accomodations and if crutches could put others at risk, they won't bend on that rule.

Unless he starts before the runners, a wheelchair is a much bigger risk to other runners than crutches would be; I don't think that anyone has
confirmed that the 5km race provides options for wheelchair athletes.

I do agree, however, that the safety of all runners/walkers is the most important factor for WDW.

ETA - I looked at the registration for the 5K and found a few things.

1) There is a "Stroller Division" - this suggests, to me, that there is a section of the race where the rules posted by Sue (which includes "no baby carriers") are not enforced. Perhaps this division would also allow crutches.

2) If you select the 5km race (either divisions), one of the questions is "Will you be participating as a wheelchair athlete", so they do seem to have provisions for wheelchair athletes.

 

[cmesq61]

Thought I read something about the new ADA regs recently released by the feds do not offer as much protection for ECVs and some other types of assistive devices. Maybe Sue M knows something about it?

 

[bookwormde]

They cannot require change in a persons standard method of adaptation for their convenience. Yes if safety is an issue and all resonable ways af making it safe have been thought trough and none are found to to allow a safe condition then yes they can deny, but is can not be presumptive using only one methodology.

bookwormde

 

[livndisney]

For safety WDW can set limits. To clarify they do allow disabled people to participate in marathons.

http://www.army.mil/article/49888/wounded-vets-to-compete-in-disney-marathon/

They also can and do have pacing requirements.

"The pacing requirement for the Stroller division is the same as the 5K (maintain a pace of 16 minutes per mile or faster)."

 

[disney david]

Thought I read something about the new ADA regs recently released by the feds do not offer as much protection for ECVs and some other types of assistive devices. Maybe Sue M knows something about it?

Got this of the federal transit administration web page regarding the confusion with the new rules that went into effect in march 2011.

Technical Assistance Note
No Change to US DOT ADA Regulations for Service Animals and Mobility Devices

FTA has become aware of various inquiries from transit operators and members of the public concerning “new ADA regulations” that went into effect on March 15. Of particular interest have been various provisions relating to service animals and how “wheelchair” is defined.

Please be advised that the U.S. Department of Transportation has issued no changes to its ADA regulations, which cover transportation provided by both the private and public sector.

The cause of any confusion has been a Final Rule issued several months ago by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which made a number of changes to their ADA regulations that went into effect on March 15, 2011. While the purpose of DOJ’s revisions was to adopt the 2004 accessibility standards (which DOT did in 2006), they also contained language amending provisions for service animals and introduced a new distinction between “wheelchairs” and “other powered mobility devices” or OMPDs.

These changes to DOJ’s regs do not affect the DOT ADA regulations, which cover transportation (both public and privately-operated). The DOJ regs do not compel transit operators to make any changes to their service animal policies or the manner in which they regard mobility devices, nor should transit operators elect to make any changes on this basis. In fact, because the DOT and DOJ regulations now read differently in this regard, changes to accommodate DOJ regulations could result in a grantee being out of compliance with the DOT ADA regulations.

Any amendments to the DOT ADA regulations would be announced in the customary manner – through publication of rulemaking documents in the Federal Register, with an effective date. Unless and until such documents are published, the DOT regulations remain unchanged.

 

[cmesq61]

Not sure a road race is considered public transportation subject to DOT, or whether a WDW road race is in the general category of a place of public accommodation and thus subject to the ADA. In any event, I suppose, as has alwasy been the case, an entity like WDW can make a determinaiton that it will not allow a particular accommodation, like crutches, if the entity has specific safety concerns related to the accommodation.

 

[disney david]

Not sure a road race is considered public transportation subject to DOT, or whether a WDW road race is in the general category of a place of public accommodation and thus subject to the ADA. In any event, I suppose, as has alwasy been the case, an entity like WDW can make a determinaiton that it will not allow a particular accommodation, like crutches, if the entity has specific safety concerns related to the accommodation.

Sorry your right found this and thought that what you meant about he Ada changing things. Sorry for the confusion I may have caused and sorry to the op for going of subject.

 

[welovedis]

Hi-
Don't post here very much anymore but I completed the 2003 1/2 marathon and a participant in the race used forearm crutches for the entire thing. She started at the back and then moved up as the crowd thinned out. I remember eating her dust near the end , then she cheered me on as I finished!