RANT re ECV's and comments form other "civilised" people

[Sarabi's Cubs]

This thread just makes me ill. That being said, I am grateful for posts like this and Kevin's comments on the podcast that have made me more aware of the challenges faced by those with disabilities in the parks.

 

[KPeveler]

I've been reading some of these posts and I can't believe some of the things people have said. Kevin has said it best by sayin that it's none of our business why they are in a wheelchair or ECV or whatever the reason is.

With that being said..I wonder if Disney has ever considered a seperate bus service for those wonderful people who may need assistance

We have a service called TARPS which stands for Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service and people who are in wheelchairs, have any kind of disablilty..can call and arrange for rides and stuff. It's a wonderful service that my Mom used to work for and so does my Uncle. My mom met some very sweet and special people as well as I have!! There's things they have to go thru or do in order to live that I know that I COULD NEVER go thru in a million years.

I'm not trying to say that people with disabilities should be sepreated from the rest of us...but with more and more people at the parks are in these situations. I think it would be a wonderful idea for them and their families. They could ride in peace without having to worry if they pissed someone off or offened them because they had to wait an extra 10mins or 140mins total for the whole trip!! WOW..a whopping 2hrs and 20mins over the course of a week you had to wait in extra time!! Be glad you even get to afford something like that..let alone BE GLAD that you're ABLE to walk..run..skip or whatever with your children. I guarantee that alot of people would gladly trade you...even if it's only for a day.

I hope those of you who are in this situation don't take offense to me suggesting another personal transportation for you. I just know from experience with my Mom working a system like that and actually being able to ride with her sometimes and getting to know these people..you might feel more comfortable

Sorry certain butt people have to be mean...but you all have plenty of support and you definitely have support and honor coming from me. You are truly remarkable people!!!!!

The problem with a separate service is that it has to be scheduled, and with my disability, I cannot schedule things. I can be fine one moment, and unable to sit up the next. Unfortunately, I must use a power wheelchair (not an ECV), and I have to use buses as it does not fit into cars (my chair weighs 325 lbs and does not come apart). I really do not think it would work out, and I for one would refuse to be separate from the general population.

In the US, the paratransit you described is required of any public transportation system, even if the regular buses are accessible. Also, new buses have to be accessible, so as many disabled people can ride the normal routes as possible. Paratransit here is generally for things people with disabilities need to do off-route. Also, you have to call 2 days in advance, and they prefer a week notice. I have no idea what I am doing in a day, much less a week!

Also, can you imagine the fights breaking out when someone gets on the "disabled" bus, and not all the seats are full, and able-bodied people want to get on? I would refuse to go to the hotel entrance to get on the special bus, as that is a long way to go in most resorts (I stay at Coronado Springs) and my wife has stamina problems that do not require a wheelchair, but DO require being near a bus stop.

The system that is in place is not perfect, but it is the best we have so far.

 

[AlexDurrani]

How about next time if you don't want your able-bodied self and family to have to "wait" in line - go rent a car. WDW transportation is free and if the ecv/wheelchair user is there with their FAMILY or FRIENDS they should be allowed to stay together. The rule is the ecv/wheelchair user and up to 5 additional guests.



As for special privileges??? Are you kidding? They are boarded first for safety. How would you like you, your husband and your two small children on the bus while a ecv/wheelchair had to manuver into a spot. That is simply ignorant.


Also, you don't take into account how many busses we watch leave the parking lot because there is no room for my DBF while many able bodied people get to go back to their rooms. We appreciate the free transportation. While you wait to get on the bus for those precious minutes because of us, when we get to the destination you and your family are long gone before my DBF is even unhooked from the restraints. He might be first on but he is last off.


Needless to say I feel sorry for the people you work for.

I will say this, it depends on the driver of the bus as to how many guests can accompany the ecv/wheelchair right away.

I have no problems waiting for buses as a ecv user if the crowds are so much that more than one ecv in the bus will cut the number of ambulatory (able bodied) guests can safely load on the bus.

My next trip in December will be the first time I am renting a suv instead of using transportation and I will be using a ecv again. Fortunately there are ecvs that can be broken down quickly into light parts and be loaded quickly.

 

[bostontim]

I've been reading some of these posts and I can't believe some of the things people have said. Kevin has said it best by sayin that it's none of our business why they are in a wheelchair or ECV or whatever the reason is.

With that being said..I wonder if Disney has ever considered a seperate bus service for those wonderful people who may need assistance

We have a service called TARPS which stands for Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service and people who are in wheelchairs, have any kind of disablilty..can call and arrange for rides and stuff. It's a wonderful service that my Mom used to work for and so does my Uncle. My mom met some very sweet and special people as well as I have!! There's things they have to go thru or do in order to live that I know that I COULD NEVER go thru in a million years.

I'm not trying to say that people with disabilities should be sepreated from the rest of us...but with more and more people at the parks are in these situations. I think it would be a wonderful idea for them and their families. They could ride in peace without having to worry if they pissed someone off or offened them because they had to wait an extra 10mins or 140mins total for the whole trip!! WOW..a whopping 2hrs and 20mins over the course of a week you had to wait in extra time!! Be glad you even get to afford something like that..let alone BE GLAD that you're ABLE to walk..run..skip or whatever with your children. I guarantee that alot of people would gladly trade you...even if it's only for a day.

I hope those of you who are in this situation don't take offense to me suggesting another personal transportation for you. I just know from experience with my Mom working a system like that and actually being able to ride with her sometimes and getting to know these people..you might feel more comfortable

Sorry certain butt people have to be mean...but you all have plenty of support and you definitely have support and honor coming from me. You are truly remarkable people!!!!!

I was thinking the same thing. I could see Disney having a system to service the various areas, like the Epcot Resort area, the AK, and DD area. Of course it would be for the disabled person and family members. It could be well designed so the passengers in the ECV's would not have to get out while riding. (That is something I never understood at Disney, why they make the person get out of the scooter and sit into a regular seat. On the public transportation that I take here in Boston, the driver just has special belts to secure the person in their ECV.) I would think they could do it so it wouldn't have to be pre-scheduled. With all this next-gen technology that we are hearing about, you could probably message someone when you are getting close to needing a ride and a computerized system much like what the transportation system has now could calculate a route for the driver to do drop-offs and pickups which would maximize efficiency.

This could be a win-win situation for Disney and the passengers who depend on these vehicles.

 

[KPeveler]

I was thinking the same thing. I could see Disney having a system to service the various areas, like the Epcot Resort area, the AK, and DD area. Of course it would be for the disabled person and family members. It could be well designed so the passengers in the ECV's would not have to get out while riding. (That is something I never understood at Disney, why they make the person get out of the scooter and sit into a regular seat. On the public transportation that I take here in Boston, the driver just has special belts to secure the person in their ECV.) I would think they could do it so it wouldn't have to be pre-scheduled. With all this next-gen technology that we are hearing about, you could probably message someone when you are getting close to needing a ride and a computerized system much like what the transportation system has now could calculate a route for the driver to do drop-offs and pickups which would maximize efficiency.

This could be a win-win situation for Disney and the passengers who depend on these vehicles.

No, it wouldn't. If it is going to service more than one resort, it will take longer than the bus the able-bodied people use (the one I am currently using), and therefore it is discrimination. There is an integrated system currently in place. If they were to suddenly segregate it, it would be illegal and discriminatory.

If they wanted to run a courtesy van at closing IN ADDITION to the regular buses to speed things up, then that would be fine.

I refuse to have to schedule things when other people do not have to (I am unable to anyway - I dont even use ADRs for this reason). I refuse to have to spend money on text messaging to random people I don't know to try to get a bus when there is an accessible bus sitting right out there at the bus stop.

You see, I am not just disabled at DIsney. I use my powerchair full time, and integration into society is important.

This discussion is moot, anyway, as integrated transportation is required by both Federal Transportation Code and the ADA. Disney, now that it is integrated, cannot segregate it.

I DO NOT WANT to be moved to make it more convenient for other people. And I actually do not care what other people say, so if people are cranky and tired and say something rude, I don't care, and simply ignore them. I know my rights and I know my body - I know I am disabled and do not need their input on the situation.

Again, if they wanted to create a courtesy van as an option, that would be fine. But just so you know, most vans and buses cannot handle an ECV. Even the DME cannot handle an ECV (it is put under the bus if you have your own). The vans are too small- it would have to be a separate bus, and buses are manufactured with at MOST 3 spots. you can generally only service one resort for that. And there is no way to have a whole second set of buses running at the bus stops without problems.

 

[mommy2allgirls]

What makes me sad is I am a mother of 4 who happens to have a disability and needs an ECV at Disney, also my 5 year old daughter has autism. I hate that I can't walk, run, or dance with my kids and most of the times when I get on the buses I have always had someone get upset that my hubby and kids are boarding with me. I am already missing out on so much as a mother why should I miss out on having my family together on the bus? I would gladly trade away my disability and my daughters autism to wait in line at the bus stop for however long it takes to load. I can't help but cry when I read these threads or have people be rude to me at Disney. People need to learn compassion

 

[Disneywedding2010]

I haven't read the whole thread but I wanted to comment.

I have a blood clot the full length of my left leg and 6 blood clots in my lungs. However, on the outside I look perfectly normal. I can't walk long distances so the use of a wheelchair while in Disney World is the only way I can enjoy the parks.

To the people that complain about me getting on the bus first and having to wait think about this for a minute. Yes, I may get on first and the driver has to take the time to get me strapped down however I'm the LAST one off the bus when we arrive to a park. By the time everyone gets off and the driver is able to come unhook me and get me off the bus the rest of the bus is already half way to the entrance if not already through it. If I could walk the park like I used to be able to years ago I'd love to however the reality is I can't.

I have to deal with people walking in front of my wheelchair and stopping and praying my fiance stops in time so he doesn't hit them. If it happens I apologize profusely. Sometimes people shrug it off and other times I get glared at. I hear the snide comments as I'm led to a seperate part of the line so I can be able to get on a ride.

There are so many judgmental people in this world and I dare one of them to say something to me cause I'll gladly tell them, "You think this is a cake walk? You sit a wheelchair a whole day at Disney World and then tell me how much you like it."

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Tell you husband and his messed up math to be happy neither of his kids need assistance and to thank his lucky stars that he doesnt need a wheelchair or an ECV. Have him find something else to be annoyed about because this makes him look like a big ole loser.

And thank god that your opinion doesnt count and that people who need assistance actually do find WDW to be the easiest and happiest place on earth. Actually talk to someone with a disability (instead of talking about them) and you'll find that WDW is one of the only places on earth where there lives ARE easier

Your husband's annoyance and your opinion show both of you in a very poor light and I'm guessing that this is an opinion your only willing to share because of the anonymity of the internet.

I'm almost 100% sure that you wouldnt have the spine to make these statements to our faces because you wouldn't want to hear the rebuttal.

The world is a big tough place. Find something else to be annoyed about and count your blessings.l

AMEN KEVIN!! Well said..

 

[kahblue]

On a positive note.......

Thank you to all those who were at WDW 08/25-09/03 this year and may have shared a bus with us and were patient and understanding. My 13 year old son has Down syndrome and PPD. He has very low muscle tone and is low functioning but is the happiest kid on earth! He has a stroller/wheelchair. We were often the first ones on. My husband wheeled my son up onto the bus, put him in seat, folded up the wheelchair and usually stood while keeping the chair steady. My other son and I would have all the bags and top of the chair. I would say it took 3-4 minutes from the time the driver opened the door to when others were allowed on.

We never heard any rude comments (doesn't mean there weren't any) but actually heard good things coming from parents that explained to their child why he may need the wheelchair.

As it's been said, Disney is the best place to vacation with special needs. We are planning our 4th trip in a row for 2011. and yes, we will be using the buses..........

(I hope no one ever complains: " Why can't I get my steak, potatoes and veggies all pureed together like that little boy?" If my son could talk I'm sure he'd have a few choice words to say in his own defense......

 

[Justin Jett]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2566471

 

[KPeveler]

I've been lucky that no one has given me a hard time - But I use either a manual or a powerchair, not a scooter. The closest I came to a problem is when a man was holding a monster size jogging stroller and was standing in the area where the ramp is. He was annoyed and kept giving me dirty looks as I was loaded - He had to stand in a narrow spot and be uncomfortable for about a whole 60 seconds. He was allowed to move back to his old spot as soon as I got into the wheelchair spot! Needless to say I did not feel badly for him.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

And to add on to Nikki's statement......

Please keep in mind that it's none of your freakin business who's in a stroller, wheelchair or ECV or why they are using the stroller, wheelchair or ECV.

None...nada..zip...zero...zilch.

Was that too blunt?

Most definitely not. Instead, it was well deserved.

We were just there. most of the buses we boarded had at least 1 ecv. some had 2 and some had 1 or 2 getting off the bus. on average I would say, that this added an extra 10 minutes to each bus ride. we took approximately 14 bus rides. math= 140 minutes. my husband was very annoyed about this and a lot of people on line were also. the volume seems to be the real issue, I know about ADA and work with people with disabilities, but in addition to the time, we often stepped aside to wait for the next bus, because by the time it was our time to board, the bus was standing room only and with 2 small kids and a folded stroller it was an unpleasant ride. It's one thing to have people with disabilities board first, but it's another to have all of their friends and family fill up the bus first. Disney really needs to do something about this, because the situation is only going to get worse, once the word gets out that Disney is the friendliest place on earth for people with disabilities. In my opinion, it's more discriminating to have ecv passengers board in full view first over the general population, where they appear to be getting special priveleges.

I only have one thing to say that won't waste my time...are you freakin' kidding me???

With that being said..I wonder if Disney has ever considered a seperate bus service for those wonderful people who may need assistance

We have a service called TARPS which stands for Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service and people who are in wheelchairs, have any kind of disablilty..can call and arrange for rides and stuff. It's a wonderful service that my Mom used to work for and so does my Uncle. My mom met some very sweet and special people as well as I have!! There's things they have to go thru or do in order to live that I know that I COULD NEVER go thru in a million years.

I'm not trying to say that people with disabilities should be sepreated from the rest of us...but with more and more people at the parks are in these situations. I think it would be a wonderful idea for them and their families. They could ride in peace without having to worry if they pissed someone off or offened them because they had to wait an extra 10mins or 140mins total for the whole trip!! WOW..a whopping 2hrs and 20mins over the course of a week you had to wait in extra time!! Be glad you even get to afford something like that..let alone BE GLAD that you're ABLE to walk..run..skip or whatever with your children. I guarantee that alot of people would gladly trade you...even if it's only for a day.

I hope those of you who are in this situation don't take offense to me suggesting another personal transportation for you. I just know from experience with my Mom working a system like that and actually being able to ride with her sometimes and getting to know these people..you might feel more comfortable

Sorry certain butt people have to be mean...but you all have plenty of support and you definitely have support and honor coming from me. You are truly remarkable people!!!!!

Wow. So, you want to segregate people who have disabilities from those that don't so no one is inconvenienced??? I'm sorry, but this is just wrong. A person in a wheelchair/stroller/ECV has every right to board a Disney bus and accommodations should be made so that can happen. The idea of a completely separate bus just for the handicapped and those with mobility issues is highly offensive. No one should be segregated for who they are and this includes those who need transportation assistance at Disney. Would their families have to ride a separate bus too because they are not disabled?