Justin Jett
I will do my Elvis impression
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2008
Expert Glider,
Have you listened to the discussions on past episodes of the podcast?
Have you listened to the discussions on past episodes of the podcast?
Go to www.segs4vets.org and see for yourself.
The organization has given away over 350 Segways to severely injured Gulf War veterans that can stand but not walk long distances.
They cannot walk the distances required in a venue like Disney but want to stand. They will walk plenty throughout a day at the park, even with a Segway.
You know a couple of people and I know over 350 people that feel differently. No need to get so snarky.
Justin,
That was very well stated. I had not heard of the website you mentioned.
I seem to recall that the florida federal court was to hold a hearing on the settlement this week. I will try to find out what, if anything, happened, at the hearing when I can (hopefully this weekend). Sometimes it takes a bit of time before a transcript of the hearing is released. I'll update this thread when something is available.
So far as I have seen, the government has not released any proposed regulations on the ADA which would say whether and under what conditions Segways must be permitted in public areas such as malls and theme parks.
Hi Jack,
I PM'd you with the link to the website with the picture of the men with guns are chasing Mickey and Minnie. I dont know what "D-Day" is as stated in the caption of the picture.
The fact that the ADA does not require FDA approval for mobility devices, does not mean that WDW is violating the ADA. If WDW was required to allow any "other powered mobility devices," that opens the door to cars, motorcycles, go-carts, etc.. Aditionally, the Segway is a spinoff of the IBOT Mobility Systems. The reason that the Segway was first to market is that the IBOT was required to go through FDA trials. Why does the FDA (a federal government agency) require approval for mobility devices, when the ADA (a law written by the same federal government) allows any "other powered mobility devices" which have not been the FDA trials? That part makes no sense to me. If the IBOT had to go through FDA trials, and the Segway did not, why should the Segway be allowed under the ADA? If "anything goes," then why does the government even have FDA trials for wheelchairs?
I suspect that the Segway is not an option for you.
WDW does allow virtually ANY other mobility device, everyday, without any verification of the device or the operators skill level.
You should do more research on the ADA before you make the kind of statements in the quote above.
I suspect that the Segway is not an option for you.
WDW does allow virtually ANY other mobility device, everyday, without any verification of the device or the operators skill level.
You should do more research on the ADA before you make the kind of statements in the quote above.
What are you including in "virtually any". The mobility devices that Disney does allow are those that are safe to operate at the park for guests during regular hours. The Segway manual states that the user should wear a helmet. Given the speed and height of the wearer this isn't a surprise.
Disney allows canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, wheel-chairs, power chairs, special needs strollers and ECV's, none of these require the user to wear a helmet while operating them.
Segways are substantially different then actual mobility devices.
I don't know about that specific man, but I have looked at information on the internet about some of those Segways that have been modified to be ridden sitting down.During the March 25, 2009 "DIS Unplugged" podcast, Kevin and John spoke of a man who has modified a Segway to function as a wheelchair. WDW allows him to use it in the parks. This shows that WDW is sensitive to the needs of disabled guests, and will allow reasonable accomodations to fulfill special needs.
and from page 139:When your feet are properly positioned on the Mats, all four Rider Detect sensors depress, allowing the SegwayPT to operate normally in Balance Mode.
If fewer than three Rider Detect sensors are depressed while riding, the Segway PT reduces the top speed limit regardless of whether Beginner Setting is enabled or not. Once your feet are properly positioned again, the SegwayPT regains full performance.
If the Segway PT is moved too quickly while in Balance Mode and none of the Rider Detect Sensors are depressed, the SegwayPT will give the Stick Shake Warning before exiting Balance Mode and transitioning to Standby Mode.
For additional information on Balance Mode and Standby Mode, see Stick Shake Warning on page 38.
and a stronger warning from page 68:Do not place any objects on the Mats. This could cause the SegwayPT to move on its own when in Balance Mode.
From what I understand the 'seat' adaptations put something on the mats to basically 'fool the Segway into thinking that the Rider Detect settings are depressed. So, they are actually a way to get around the safety feature that keeps the Segway from operating with someone not standing with 3 or more Rider Detect sensors.Never place anything on the Mats, except your feet. Doing so could interfere with the Rider Detection system and allow the SegwayPT to travel on its own, risking running into a person or property, and causing injury or damage.
From page 2 of the Segway manual I linked to above:What are you including in "virtually any". The mobility devices that Disney does allow are those that are safe to operate at the park for guests during regular hours. The Segway manual states that the user should wear a helmet. Given the speed and height of the wearer this isn't a surprise.
Disney allows canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, wheel-chairs, power chairs, special needs strollers and ECV's, none of these require the user to wear a helmet while operating them.
Segways are substantially different then actual mobility devices.
From page 75:RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY
Whenever you ride the SegwayPT, you risk death or serious injury from loss of control, collisions, and falls. To reduce risk
of injury, you must read and follow all instructions and warnings in the User Materials.
From the Segway "Getting Started Manual", page 21:The SegwayPT balances front to back but not side-to-side.
You are responsible for maintaining side-to-side balance by leaning into turns. If you fail to actively maintain this side-to-side balance, the SegwayPT can tip sideways and fall.
Avoid riding across steep slopes.
Lean into turns and lean uphill when riding across gentle slopes.
I don't know of any mobility devices that tell a person using it to wear a helmet.WARNING!
Always wear a helmet when riding. Use an approved bicycle or
skateboard helmet that fits properly with the chin strap in place, and provides protection for the back of your head.
WARNING!
Avoid obstacles and slippery surfaces that could result in a
loss of balance or traction and cause a fall.
From page 58WARNING
While the SegwayPT is designed to keep you upright under a variety of conditions, you can overpower the balancing capability of your SegwayPT by aggressively leaning into and ignoring the Speed Limiter.
The speed at which the Handlebar pushes back depends on a variety of factors including riding style, terrain, payload, whether or not Beginner Setting is selected on the InfoKey Controller, Battery condition, foot positioning, and other factors.
For additional information and conditions that may cause the Speed Limiter to activate, see Speed Limiter in the Reference Manual.
From page 61WARNING!
Never let go of the SegwayPT when it is in Balance Mode
because it will travel some distance on its own, give the Stick Shake Warning, and then cut power to the Wheels. If you let go
of a SegwayPT while in Balance Mode, you risk injury to others and damage to the SegwayPT.
many people with disabilities that limit their standing may have difficulty getting off in that short amount of time (specifically people with balance problems or amputees).When a Safety Shutdown occurs, the SegwayPT automatically reduces its speed, gives the Stick Shake Warning (shakes the Handlebar and makes growling noises), flashes the Balance Indicator lights, emits a warning tone, and the InfoKey Controller displays an unhappy face.
You have approximately 10 seconds from the start of a Safety Shutdown to come to a controlled stop and step off. After 10 seconds, the SegwayPT will immediately shut down when the Wheels reach zero speed.
If a Safety Shutdown occurs:
1. Immediately come to a controlled stop.
2. Carefully step off one foot at a time.
from page 126Theft detection systems, such as the type used in some libraries and retail stores can interfere with the Segway PTs ability to balance and/or cause the Segway PT to perform a Safety Shutdown. Do not ride within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of any theft detection system.
From reading the manual, it appears there are significant concerns even for experienced users.Safety Tips and Guidelines
The SegwayPT's unique balancing ability and ease of use can lead you to become overconfident. If you exceed the ability of the SegwayPT to balance, such as by riding over obstacles, uneven terrain, slippery surfaces, loose materials, or steep slopes, you can very quickly lose control, leading to collisions, falls, and injury. As with any other transportation device, using a SegwayPT exposes you to risk of injury. You can reduce the risk by following all the instructions and warnings in this Manual, but you cannot eliminate the risk.
Read this Manual and watch the Safety Video.
Do not allow any person to use your SegwayPT unless that person has carefully read this Manual and watched the Safety Video.