New pamphlet handed out yesterday...3/3/2012

[A Mickeyfan]

There are some scooters that go 5 mph and weigh up to 450 lbs (or more). Going at 5 mph and weighing 450lbs (plus the weight of the guest) can do a lot of damage to the person it hits as opposed to the average double-wide stroller average weight under 25lbs & the weight of the child (and most only hold up to total weight of under 100lbs) and normally do not go 5 miles per hour (unless in a marathon). The scooters are much more dangerous compared to a stroller. I am not saying that a stroller will not hurt, but they cannot kill, a scooter can.



http://www.consumersearch.com/double-strollers/side-by-side-double-strollers


http://www.spinlife.com/PaceSaver-BOSS-4.5-Heavy-Duty/High-Weight-Capacity-Power-Wheelchair/spec.cfm?productID=77901#.T1aRH3lAGSo


I don't think that Disney is singling out a Disability, after all, not everyone in them have the same Disability. Not all in them are completely immobile. I do think it is because there are some legal ramifications involved. I do think somewhere along the line, a guest may have been injured and is pursuing a case against Disney. By handing out these flyers to the users of these may be placing some of the legal responsibility onto them. Think about it for one minute instead of taking offense to it. WE all have to adhere to their speed limits in their parking lots, are they targeting us drivers as opposed to their guest who use their transportation? If we hit someone with our car, we are responsible, not Disney. These scooters have a motor on them making them a danger.

Disney also doesn't allow wheeley shoes .. they are basically telling parents of children what their children cannot wear. Does that mean they are targeting children? Yes, I know... no comparison but in a way it is. Disney can easily say no electric scooters. ADA states equal.. and a manual chair is equal, electric is much easier true, but manual is all that ADA standards will back anyone on. They cannot force Disney to take the electric.. or at least I don't think they can.

Please don't take this post as offense, I don't mean it to be. As others have said, those that need the flyers are not those that post here. I am sure all of you do watch what you are doing and where you are going and YES, those walking cut in front of you. There are however, more that go than are on these boards who do not watch what they are doing, more that have never used one before and don't know how to handle them.. or really could care less how to either.. such as those who place their own family members in danger by allowing what we all see... ie: children on laps, on shoulders etc... These are the ones who need these flyers but Disney cannot just single them out. That is discrimination! As I have been told by many on here to hang in their while the kinks are worked out at the HM with the GAC card for those with invisible disabilities, I am asking you all to hang in there with this flyer. Give Disney a chance to see if it helps those who really need these... not you.. you all know the right way to use them

 

[cmwade77]

Honestly, they need to hand pamphlets out to those that are not in wheelchairs/ECVs reminding them to be mindful of those that are. I have seen too many people stopped off to the side of the walkway that get rammed into by a person walking.

Also some reminders to those that use strollers would be great as well (I have scars on my ankles from when Disneyland used to have strollers with the metal shelf on the bottom).

I have some knee issues myself; however, I am fortunate to not need an ECV or wheelchair and will gladly move out of the way of one as it is far easier for me to do so than it is for them and that is with the knee issues that I have.

 

[bedogged]

There are some scooters that go 5 mph and weigh up to 450 lbs (or more). Going at 5 mph and weighing 450lbs (plus the weight of the guest) can do a lot of damage to the person it hits as opposed to the average double-wide stroller average weight under 25lbs & the weight of the child (and most only hold up to total weight of under 100lbs) and normally do not go 5 miles per hour (unless in a marathon). The scooters are much more dangerous compared to a stroller. I am not saying that a stroller will not hurt, but they cannot kill, a scooter can.



http://www.consumersearch.com/double-strollers/side-by-side-double-strollers


http://www.spinlife.com/PaceSaver-BOSS-4.5-Heavy-Duty/High-Weight-Capacity-Power-Wheelchair/spec.cfm?productID=77901#.T1aRH3lAGSo


I don't think that Disney is singling out a Disability, after all, not everyone in them have the same Disability. Not all in them are completely immobile. I do think it is because there are some legal ramifications involved. I do think somewhere along the line, a guest may have been injured and is pursuing a case against Disney. By handing out these flyers to the users of these may be placing some of the legal responsibility onto them. Think about it for one minute instead of taking offense to it. WE all have to adhere to their speed limits in their parking lots, are they targeting us drivers as opposed to their guest who use their transportation? If we hit someone with our car, we are responsible, not Disney. These scooters have a motor on them making them a danger.

Disney also doesn't allow wheeley shoes .. they are basically telling parents of children what their children cannot wear. Does that mean they are targeting children? Yes, I know... no comparison but in a way it is. Disney can easily say no electric scooters. ADA states equal.. and a manual chair is equal, electric is much easier true, but manual is all that ADA standards will back anyone on. They cannot force Disney to take the electric.. or at least I don't think they can.

Please don't take this post as offense, I don't mean it to be. As others have said, those that need the flyers are not those that post here. I am sure all of you do watch what you are doing and where you are going and YES, those walking cut in front of you. There are however, more that go than are on these boards who do not watch what they are doing, more that have never used one before and don't know how to handle them.. or really could care less how to either.. such as those who place their own family members in danger by allowing what we all see... ie: children on laps, on shoulders etc... These are the ones who need these flyers but Disney cannot just single them out. That is discrimination! As I have been told by many on here to hang in their while the kinks are worked out at the HM with the GAC card for those with invisible disabilities, I am asking you all to hang in there with this flyer. Give Disney a chance to see if it helps those who really need these... not you.. you all know the right way to use them

I don't know about the children part. My husband has been threatening to purchase a pair of wheelies so he can grab hold of my ECV for a ride. It broke his little heart when I told him that they were not allowed in Disney

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I don't know about the children part. My husband has been threatening to purchase a pair of wheelies so he can grab hold of my ECV for a ride. It broke his little heart when I told him that they were not allowed in Disney

I am sure it has been done before.. just because they aren't allowed in, parents still sneak them in.. I know, I have seen (or should I say) seen people almost get run over by the wheelie shoes hmm haven't seen skateboards in there yet... yet I do say.. wonder if that will be the next discussion....

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Honestly, they need to hand pamphlets out to those that are not in wheelchairs/ECVs reminding them to be mindful of those that are. I have seen too many people stopped off to the side of the walkway that get rammed into by a person walking.

Also some reminders to those that use strollers would be great as well (I have scars on my ankles from when Disneyland used to have strollers with the metal shelf on the bottom).

I have some knee issues myself; however, I am fortunate to not need an ECV or wheelchair and will gladly move out of the way of one as it is far easier for me to do so than it is for them and that is with the knee issues that I have.

I don't see how that would help as a lot of the time when someone steps in front of a wheelchair, ECV or stroller they may not have noticed it coming. As an example one time a couple of years ago I was exiting DCA (Disney California Adventure) I had to step to my left to avoid walking into one of the concrete letters that used to be in front of it when someone with a stroller who seemed it was more important that they get out then anyone else ran over my foot with her stroller and didn't say anything to me and I'm sure they felt the bump as it went over my foot too. I personally think that everyone needs to watch out where they are going in the park no mater if they are walking, pushing a stroller, wheelchair or using a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

Three points - well 4

1) the person driving an ECV would be legally liable if they hit someone. that someone may try to sue Disney, but unless it was a Disney rented ECV and there was some negligence on Disney's part, it would be hard to blame them (like had not shown the person how to stop it or the brake was broken).

2) WDW already can 'single out' those who are driving an ECV in an unsafe manner. The ADA protects people's need/rights to use mobility devices. It does not protect their rights to use the ECV in an unsafe way.
I don't have time right now to look up the ECV / wheelchair citations, but I have frequently provided links to Service Dog information and I know there are links to it in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. The SD guidelines state that a SD user can be asked to remove their dog if the dog is disruptive and the user is not taking effective steps to control it. The SD user has the option to leave with the dog and not return or to remove the dog and return without the dog. Same type of thing for someone operating a mobility device in an unsafe manner.

3) IMHO, None of the egregious things people have mentioned seeing ECV users doing would be solved or changed by a pamphlet.
Most of them are people doing stupid things because they chose to do stupid things -
like the guy I mentioned, who was purposely running into a woman I think was his wife, the person driving an ECV with a child on his shoulders, driving under the influence, or my personal favorite - a man who had a full grown woman riding on is shoulders.
I don't think a pamphlet would stop any of those people.

Many of the other problems come from people who don't Know how too drive -
like the woman getting on the bus who was driving on full speed, Someone who hit a queue divider, backed up and hit it again.
I don't think a pamphlet would help any of those people either. Every time we have shown someone how to change from Rabbit to Turtle, they have been surprised that there was any adjustment possible. If they had read a pamphlet that said to go slow, they would not have thought it applied to them - they were riding the slowest possible on Rabbit.

4) the different people using mobility devices all have different reasons for using it, but they belong to the class "users of mobility devices". It doesn't really matter that they all are using the device for different reason, it is treating all users as if they are likely to do something bad.

If I really thoughts pamphlet would have any value, I would not be against it, but as I said before, it's mostly so Disney can say to someone (don't know who) that they are doing something (not sure why).

.

 

[cmwade77]

I have to say that I haven't seen too many ECV users doing these stupid things as of late at Disneyland, Sea World, Universal Studios, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park (all which we currently have passes to and go to frequently). What I see more is them being respectful of others and then the others running into them.

Now, I am not saying that no one using an ECV does stupid things, I am sure they do, everyone does at times, but I am saying that I haven't personally seen it much lately. It used to be quite frequently that I would see someone allowing a child to drive, etc. I do not know if there have been laws passed in California that forces these issues more or what, but I have definitely seen it reduced.

I have looked at the San Diego Zoo's and Safari Park's policies. It is their policy to hand out a pamphlet like this as well. They say they do this due to past injuries, many of which were caused by ECV brakes failing, so I am wondering if Disney has had similar incidents that we haven't heard about. Especially at Epcot, thinking about the entrance and exit at the Land, it has a really steep hill, so it may have been an issue there, I don't know.

The difference being is that the zoo and Safari park focus on more on how to stay safe with the devices, i.e. avoiding the failures and not acting like they are doing something wrong just by using an ECV, which is the impression that I got about this handbook.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have to say that I haven't seen too many ECV users doing these stupid things as of late at Disneyland, Sea World, Universal Studios, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park (all which we currently have passes to and go to frequently). What I see more is them being respectful of others and then the others running into them.

Now, I am not saying that no one using an ECV does stupid things, I am sure they do, everyone does at times, but I am saying that I haven't personally seen it much lately. It used to be quite frequently that I would see someone allowing a child to drive, etc. I do not know if there have been laws passed in California that forces these issues more or what, but I have definitely seen it reduced.

I have looked at the San Diego Zoo's and Safari Park's policies. It is their policy to hand out a pamphlet like this as well. They say they do this due to past injuries, many of which were caused by ECV brakes failing, so I am wondering if Disney has had similar incidents that we haven't heard about. Especially at Epcot, thinking about the entrance and exit at the Land, it has a really steep hill, so it may have been an issue there, I don't know.

The difference being is that the zoo and Safari park focus on more on how to stay safe with the devices, i.e. avoiding the failures and not acting like they are doing something wrong just by using an ECV, which is the impression that I got about this handbook.

Good point - it's all about the presentation, both what is in it andvhowit is handed out.

There IS a lot of useful information that they could give, like
- some of the inclines can be difficult to stop on, especially when crowded.
- some surfaces can get very slippery when wet and will require more stopping distance (area between the Electric Umbrella and Mouseworks, for example).
- safely crossing the trolley tracks at MK
- reminding people there are curbs in some locations
- going thru puddles is not a good idea.

If the 'Target audience' for the pamphlet can see some value added in reading it, it will get read and the information will get out. Especially, if it is presented with a smile and a 'here's some safety information for you.'
presenting even a good pamphlet as etiquette that 'you need' insults the people you are trying to reach.

I will be interested to see what it says, but the way it was presented to the OP would be enough to get many to throw it away unread.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Three points - well 4



2) WDW already can 'single out' those who are driving an ECV in an unsafe manner. The ADA protects people's need/rights to use mobility devices. It does not protect their rights to use the ECV in an unsafe way.
I don't have time right now to look up the ECV / wheelchair citations, but I have frequently provided links to Service Dog information and I know there are links to it in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. The SD guidelines state that a SD user can be asked to remove their dog if the dog is disruptive and the user is not taking effective steps to control it. The SD user has the option to leave with the dog and not return or to remove the dog and return without the dog. Same type of thing for someone operating a mobility device in an unsafe manner. That is only if a CM is observing them doing so. By handing out the flyer, they are already giving a warning to everyone covering all basis.

3) IMHO, None of the egregious things people have mentioned seeing ECV users doing would be solved or changed by a pamphlet.
Most of them are people doing stupid things because they chose to do stupid things -
like the guy I mentioned, who was purposely running into a woman I think was his wife, the person driving an ECV with a child on his shoulders, driving under the influence, or my personal favorite - a man who had a full grown woman riding on is shoulders.
I don't think a pamphlet would stop any of those people.

Many of the other problems come from people who don't Know how too drive -
like the woman getting on the bus who was driving on full speed, Someone who hit a queue divider, backed up and hit it again.
I don't think a pamphlet would help any of those people either. Every time we have shown someone how to change from Rabbit to Turtle, they have been surprised that there was any adjustment possible. If they had read a pamphlet that said to go slow, they would not have thought it applied to them - they were riding the slowest possible on Rabbit. We don't know for sure that not everyone will adhere to the flyer, there may be some that will stop their stupid actions. You cannot speak for all.

4) the different people using mobility devices all have different reasons for using it, but they belong to the class "users of mobility devices". It doesn't really matter that they all are using the device for different reason, it is treating all users as if they are likely to do something bad. And yes, this brings me right back to my problem at the HM that many scooter and wheelchair users don't seem to comprehend here. While I have an invisible disability, mine is my "vision". I am being lumped into any other disability that can "walk" and am being "expected" to go through the dark holding room. Get the picture now? While I am being told to accept this change and wait till the problems are ironed out, why can't everyone here do the the same. Isn't it ironic that those here cannot, but those who are mobile with a hidden disability can be lumped together and are told to be patient? I don't mean any disrespect, but there seems to be a double standard by some on this board. We all have reasons why we can or cannot do something, we all should be treated equal. One disability doesn't out weigh another

If I really thoughts pamphlet would have any value, I would not be against it, but as I said before, it's mostly so Disney can say to someone (don't know who) that they are doing something (not sure why).

.

There are many reasons why Disney can hand this flyer out.. and safety is one of them....
I hope you can see my points in this post.. because for some reason, many cannot see my points about the HM, unless they walk in my shoes..

 

[Mrsjvb]

I

I have looked at the San Diego Zoo's and Safari Park's policies. It is their policy to hand out a pamphlet like this as well. They say they do this due to past injuries, many of which were caused by ECV brakes failing, so I am wondering if Disney has had similar incidents that we haven't heard about. Especially at Epcot, thinking about the entrance and exit at the Land, it has a really steep hill, so it may have been an issue there, I don't know.

The difference being is that the zoo and Safari park focus on more on how to stay safe with the devices, i.e. avoiding the failures and not acting like they are doing something wrong just by using an ECV, which is the impression that I got about this handbook.

Interesting.. last Summer when I was in SD I did NOT get a pamphlet when the Offsite WC I had rented blew a tire. while DH ran it back out to the car, I got a replacement one. Maybe because it was a chair and not an ECV? and for anyone who has not been to either the Zoo or Safari park.. can we say hills?! Lots of them and some are wicked steep. there were several areas I could not access due to the steepness of the hill( and DH was NOT happy about me wanting to see the polar bears) anyone who is not familiar with ECV use would certainly be in grave danger of killing themselves or someone else or at least doing serious bodily injury( we will not discuss me nearly getting sideswiped by a Mule deer and her fawns at Safari park)

 

[The_Evil_Queen]

I don't have a problem with this handout from what I've read about it. My daughter's foot was run over by the back wheel of a scooter - we were standing talking on the side near the Dole Whips in MK, not moving at all, and the scooter driver wasn't paying attention at all and ran over DD8's foot. When I brought it to a CM's attention, she stopped the scooter and told her what she had done. The CM apologized profusely but the scooter driver said nothing, no apology whatsoever. We had to go to the infirmary and get ice. DD8 was OK but would it have killed the driver to apologize!!!

Everyone needs to mind their manners and be considerate of others, no matter what your physical condition.

 

[dclfun]

We stayed at OKW for a long weekend and I just returned home. We visited MK and AK several times and I never got this pamphlet, thankfully. I have to wonder if Disney is having issues with all the rental companies and their policies. It is often mentioned on this board to rent from an outside vendor as the ECV's are less costly than those that Disney rents. As I mentioned last year, during one stay at Pop there were 14 scooters lined up to be picked up that day and a Walker van dropping off more. As they are handed out by Bell Services, the person receiving the ECV should be required to read any literature provided by the vendor and to sign that they agree to abide by the rules- no children riding tandem, etc. Meanwhile, it was as it always is during my visit to the parks this weekend- other guests ALWAYS crossed in front of my chair and not in front of my walking adult children, while looking me straight in the eyes. I have had people place their crotch over my joystick, drive my chair with their genitals, and then look back at me as if I'm responsible. I've seen it all. So I agree that if Disney is going to hand out a pamphlet, it should be to ALL guests as walking guests are just as guilty of causing a problem as those who drive mobility devices.

 

[Talking Hands]

There are some scooters that go 5 mph and weigh up to 450 lbs (or more). Going at 5 mph and weighing 450lbs (plus the weight of the guest) can do a lot of damage to the person it hits as opposed to the average double-wide stroller average weight under 25lbs & the weight of the child (and most only hold up to total weight of under 100lbs) and normally do not go 5 miles per hour (unless in a marathon). The scooters are much more dangerous compared to a stroller. I am not saying that a stroller will not hurt, but they cannot kill, a scooter can.



http://www.consumersearch.com/double-strollers/side-by-side-double-strollers


http://www.spinlife.com/PaceSaver-BOSS-4.5-Heavy-Duty/High-Weight-Capacity-Power-Wheelchair/spec.cfm?productID=77901#.T1aRH3lAGSo


I don't think that Disney is singling out a Disability, after all, not everyone in them have the same Disability. Not all in them are completely immobile. I do think it is because there are some legal ramifications involved. I do think somewhere along the line, a guest may have been injured and is pursuing a case against Disney. By handing out these flyers to the users of these may be placing some of the legal responsibility onto them. Think about it for one minute instead of taking offense to it. WE all have to adhere to their speed limits in their parking lots, are they targeting us drivers as opposed to their guest who use their transportation? If we hit someone with our car, we are responsible, not Disney. These scooters have a motor on them making them a danger.

Disney also doesn't allow wheeley shoes .. they are basically telling parents of children what their children cannot wear. Does that mean they are targeting children? Yes, I know... no comparison but in a way it is. Disney can easily say no electric scooters. ADA states equal.. and a manual chair is equal, electric is much easier true, but manual is all that ADA standards will back anyone on. They cannot force Disney to take the electric.. or at least I don't think they can.

Please don't take this post as offense, I don't mean it to be. As others have said, those that need the flyers are not those that post here. I am sure all of you do watch what you are doing and where you are going and YES, those walking cut in front of you. There are however, more that go than are on these boards who do not watch what they are doing, more that have never used one before and don't know how to handle them.. or really could care less how to either.. such as those who place their own family members in danger by allowing what we all see... ie: children on laps, on shoulders etc... These are the ones who need these flyers but Disney cannot just single them out. That is discrimination! As I have been told by many on here to hang in their while the kinks are worked out at the HM with the GAC card for those with invisible disabilities, I am asking you all to hang in there with this flyer. Give Disney a chance to see if it helps those who really need these... not you.. you all know the right way to use them

First the wheelchair you linked to is a power wheelchair not a scooter. People using these are not novices at driving them and are not the problem. Please do not lump them with the people that rent scooters onsite and offsite that never use them except at the parks.
Yes, I do think the pamphlet needs to be given to anyone in a rental scooter, but I don't think it will do much good.
Most of the problems I have encountered have been either with inexperienced scooter drivers or walkers who cut in front of me without warning. So maybe all need to receive this. I will certainly be following up with guest services after I am given one but it wouldn't be with those at the counters in guest services but with those who actually understand the issues of accessibility and ADA.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I was at work at AK Gate today. There were no pamphlets.

Before opening I talked to one of the managers and gave him a printout of this thread (lots of pages) so he could see comments/opinions. I raised the point to him, and he agreed with me, that it might be something to hand out at rentals in the Parks, or by Bell Services at the Resorts for rentals, but not really needed by people like me who have their own ECVs.

I hope that he will read what I gave him, but tomorrow is my last day at AK Gate; next week I am at a convention and then back to TL.

And if I am ever handed one in a Park I will pointedly ask why they are not also handing similar pamphlets to everyone with a stroller.

 

[disney david]

do you think this cm might have made a mistake of handing them out to the op and may be they was being made for rentals at the park. and some how this cm got them and misunderstood what they was for and thought they was supposed to hand them out to every guest in a ECV and that why her dh and no other diser yet has gotten one.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

First the wheelchair you linked to is a power wheelchair not a scooter. People using these are not novices at driving them and are not the problem. Please do not lump them with the people that rent scooters onsite and offsite that never use them except at the parks.
Yes, I do think the pamphlet needs to be given to anyone in a rental scooter, but I don't think it will do much good.
Most of the problems I have encountered have been either with inexperienced scooter drivers or walkers who cut in front of me without warning. So maybe all need to receive this. I will certainly be following up with guest services after I am given one but it wouldn't be with those at the counters in guest services but with those who actually understand the issues of accessibility and ADA.

I don't know the difference between the ones that are rented out and the ones that aren't. I just used this to show the weight and speed. What is the difference between this and the the ones rented outside? Like I said, I used only to show the difference in the weight & speed as opposed to a stroller.
I also stated, that those here, are not the problem.. I am sure all here do watch where they are going, as they are conscious to what they are doing. It is the "others" that aren't. the flyers may help some out, we cannot say it won't. There may be some that feel if they were given the flyer, they are being "watched" .. sort of a psychological tactic. No, not all will stop. It may also be covering Disney's butts as well. By handing them out to those in the scooter/ECV is not discrimination. It is giving it to those that use them. Like I said, I am wondering if they are giving them to the manual wheelchair users.. I am thinking they are only giving to the electric as they have a motor.. the motor is what makes the danger.

When you guys are feeling singled out, discriminated against.. think of us with other disabilities .. again, I will bring up the HM. I know you understand that portion about me with it. I have been told by posters here to deal with it, it is only a dim room, have a friend go with me Yes, by posters on this sub forum. Someone with low vision is to deal with going into a dark room until Disney can iron out the problems, but everyone here is up in arms over a piece of paper I (and those like me) can literally fall over a wheelchair in that dark room with my vision, and I am told to deal with it until Disney figures out how to fix it, but those here are ready to write, call, complain about being handed a piece of paper I don't get it.

In all honesty, I think I would just wait and see what comes of this flyer. I do think someone was hurt and Disney must hand them out. Maybe they stopped doing so already as it seems they aren't doing now All it is is paper, it isn't something that is going to hurt anyone such as the HM can do to some disabled guests.. that is a safety hazard for some.. but we must "deal with it" until it is figured out..

 

[Chickenlady]

As I stated way back on pg 1, I also received a pamphlet when we visited Epcot last week (Friday). I was in my scooter and neither my DS nor DH received one.

As for the average scooter weight....I'm not sure of the exact numbers but this trip my DS and DH lifted my rental scooter in and out of the rental SUV several times a day, without too much whining. Up until this point, I was always the one to help DH lift the scooter in, so they can't weigh that much.

Also, a scooter can be dangerous, but one of the things my DS (and the D doesn't stand for dear, in this case) liked to do this trip to freak me out was to put his foot in front of my rear tire so I would run over it. I always thought I hit someone or something, until he laughed. He is only 14 and weighs 125 lb...he's not a muscle man...but it obviously didn't hurt much, since he kept doing it. And I can prob. say that I weigh more than the scooter, so our combined weight is prob. hefty.

But in all cases...your mileage may vary.

 

[bouncycat]

A Mickeyfan, I remember your post about the HM, and the bad posts you got on there. People can be so mean, and not all disabilities require a scooter or power chair. In my case, mine is a power chair, and it does drive MUCH different than a scooter.

With my chair being a power chair, it doesn't have a light on it, so HM is very tricky, as is the Nemo ride in Epcot. I wear glasses, and they're the transitions, so I gotta either deal with extra dark until they change, or take them off and drive with everything fuzzy. I always tell my dh, when I get into my pity party mode, that it can always be worse for me. My body is the one that doesn't work, but my sight, hearing, and smell senses are all intact, and for that I'm thankful. I commend anyone with any sensory issues, as I do not know how well I'd deal with that.

Also, whenever you come back this way, let me know, maybe we can meet up at a park one day!! We're living close to the parks until the first week of June, then we move close to Disneyland!!

Chickenlady, I don't know how much my chair weighs either, but I know I cannot get it in and out of the car. My hubby can, but he grunts and groans when he does get it in and out. Me and my DS can do it, but it takes time. I have a Jazzy 1113 chair.

Here's a pic of the bottom...

I like to think it's unique like me!!!

Anyways, we wrote a letter, it wasn't bad, just letting Disney know that it wasn't cool, and griped about the lady in GS. Clueless people should not be in GS!!! So, we'll see what happens, I don't want any compensation, just awareness. Is that too much to ask for?

 

[disney david]

A Mickeyfan, I remember your post about the HM, and the bad posts you got on there. People can be so mean, and not all disabilities require a scooter or power chair. In my case, mine is a power chair, and it does drive MUCH different than a scooter.

With my chair being a power chair, it doesn't have a light on it, so HM is very tricky, as is the Nemo ride in Epcot. I wear glasses, and they're the transitions, so I gotta either deal with extra dark until they change, or take them off and drive with everything fuzzy. I always tell my dh, when I get into my pity party mode, that it can always be worse for me. My body is the one that doesn't work, but my sight, hearing, and smell senses are all intact, and for that I'm thankful. I commend anyone with any sensory issues, as I do not know how well I'd deal with that.

Also, whenever you come back this way, let me know, maybe we can meet up at a park one day!! We're living close to the parks until the first week of June, then we move close to Disneyland!!

Chickenlady, I don't know how much my chair weighs either, but I know I cannot get it in and out of the car. My hubby can, but he grunts and groans when he does get it in and out. Me and my DS can do it, but it takes time. I have a Jazzy 1113 chair.

Here's a pic of the bottom...

I like to think it's unique like me!!!

Anyways, we wrote a letter, it wasn't bad, just letting Disney know that it wasn't cool, and griped about the lady in GS. Clueless people should not be in GS!!! So, we'll see what happens, I don't want any compensation, just awareness. Is that too much to ask for?

i hope they respond to you and talk to you about this because your right gs should have been able to handle the problem. It good for them to hear from guest because in meeting they my not understand this might be taking the wrong way now they will have a chance to know it not being received as positive as the though it might be. no awareness is never to much to ask may be after they explain what they had in mind when they thought of doing this. I like the paint on your chair dose tiger go crazy when he sees it.

 

[SueM in MN]

do you think this cm might have made a mistake of handing them out to the op and may be they was being made for rentals at the park. and some how this cm got them and misunderstood what they was for and thought they was supposed to hand them out to every guest in a ECV and that why her dh and no other diser yet has gotten one.

I don't think so because I have heard from other people on different days at Epcot who were given a pamphlet under the same circumstances.
For whatever reason, they were handed out for only a short time.

My guess (and strictly a guess) is that enough people complained very quickly to make them change.

I was at work at AK Gate today. There were no pamphlets.

Before opening I talked to one of the managers and gave him a printout of this thread (lots of pages) so he could see comments/opinions. I raised the point to him, and he agreed with me, that it might be something to hand out at rentals in the Parks, or by Bell Services at the Resorts for rentals, but not really needed by people like me who have their own ECVs.

I hope that he will read what I gave him, but tomorrow is my last day at AK Gate; next week I am at a convention and then back to TL.

And if I am ever handed one in a Park I will pointedly ask why they are not also handing similar pamphlets to everyone with a stroller.

Thanks, Mike.
Very helpful, as usual.

For those of you who don't understand why this has upset some people - please re-read my prior posts where I tried to explain.

Some have implied ( or even wrote) that 'certain disabilities' are taken more seriously than others. To that, I say that my reaction would be the same if WDW was handing out an etiquette and manners pamphlet:
- to people who are visually impaired, telling them to keep their distance from others so that they don't bump into them or trip them with a cane.
- to people who are hearing impaired, telling them that since they can't hear, they need to keep their distance from other people and watch out so that they do not bump someone coming behind from them
- to people with service animals, telling them to keep their distance from orhers to sure that no one trips over the animal, gets scared by it or stops traffic trying to pet it
- or to people with other disabilities who would get a manners pamphlet aimed at them.

I still maintain that it is discrimination to hand something out to everyone in a class, without them doing anything wrong 'just in case' .
If someone does something that causes a problem, they need to be stopped, talked to and dealt with.
But, as I already posted, I have seen multiple situations where people were stopped and as soon as the CM went away, they went back to going the same thing. If they didn't stop after a personal interaction with a CM, I don't see why a paper would stop them.

Courtesy is a 2 way street and involves everyone, not just certain groups.