WDW Segway Lawsuit - 6/10/09 Update (post 74) - wdwinfo.com cited in lawsuit

[Justin Jett]

The tours are cotrolled and supervised situations.

Segways are often sold to cities and towns for security and law enforcement. There is a special version of the Segway made for security and law enforcement purposes.

 

[Expert_Glider]

I think i side with Disney on this one... They allow other types of vehicles to accomodate people. The segways are capable of much faster speeds than most of the ECVs. So right there is a safety issue... if a person on a Segway hits someone, the potential for injury is greater, IMHO.

Segways have the ability to set a maximum speed limit (say 4-6 MPH) that is in-line with most other ECV's. Some ECV and power wheel chairs can reach even higher speeds than a Segway.

It is the riders responsibility to operate the device safely. If they don't, eject them from the park. But don't ban the device - a device that has given people back mobility and freedom that they thought was gone forever.

Disney has huge parking lots containing vehicles that are capable of exceeding 100 MPH. And they can and do cause deaths everyday throughout the country and the world. But most people act responsibly and those that don't lose their priviledges. We don't ban automobiles because some people don't follow the rules or because they are not 100% safe all the time. We deal with the individual and not the device.

I don't think the park rides have a proven 100% safety record either but they are still in operation.

My point is - deal with the person not being safe...don't blame the device.

 

[wilde_oscar]

7 posts, all of them here... I smell troll.

at what point do you have a dog in this fight? I think I stated before, the folks that make segways know a lot about making mobility devices and they have stated repeatedly that the segway is not a mobility device for the disabled... the instructions caution you to always use a helmet. what disability mobility device should require a helmet?

my yamaha v-max is my mobility vehicle and it helps me over come my disability of not being able to run very fast. pretty sure no one is gonna buy that story either.

 

[wilde_oscar]

It is the riders responsibility to operate the device safely. If they don't, eject them from the park. But don't ban the device - a device that has given people back mobility and freedom that they thought was gone forever.

I have a concealed carry permit valid in most states, and yet there are places that ban concealed carry on their premises. hm, if I can't carry my weapon, you can't ride your toy.

 

[Justin Jett]

I have a concealed carry permit valid in most states, and yet there are places that ban concealed carry on their premises. hm, if I can't carry my weapon, you can't ride your toy.

A Segway is a WANT. It is not a "need."

 

[Expert_Glider]

A Segway is a WANT. It is not a "need."

Tell that to a severely injured Gulf War veteran (or any veteran for that matter) with one or two prosthetic legs that can stand but cannot walk long distances.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Tell that to a severely injured Gulf War veteran (or any veteran for that matter) with one or two prosthetic legs that can stand but cannot walk long distances.

I respect that they made that sacrifice, I really do.


But 1) Its a very tiny part of the population. 2) They can use an ECV. 3) THe Segway isn't as safe as the ECV.

 

[Justin Jett]

Tell that to a severely injured Gulf War veteran (or any veteran for that matter) with one or two prosthetic legs that can stand but cannot walk long distances.

Anyone who can stand on a segway, and sit in a ride vehicle without assistance, can sit in an ECV.

ECV's are made available to people who cannot walk long distances!

 

[yitbos96bb]

Segways have the ability to set a maximum speed limit (say 4-6 MPH) that is in-line with most other ECV's. Some ECV and power wheel chairs can reach even higher speeds than a Segway.

It is the riders responsibility to operate the device safely. If they don't, eject them from the park. But don't ban the device - a device that has given people back mobility and freedom that they thought was gone forever.

Disney has huge parking lots containing vehicles that are capable of exceeding 100 MPH. And they can and do cause deaths everyday throughout the country and the world. But most people act responsibly and those that don't lose their priviledges. We don't ban automobiles because some people don't follow the rules or because they are not 100% safe all the time. We deal with the individual and not the device.

I don't think the park rides have a proven 100% safety record either but they are still in operation.

My point is - deal with the person not being safe...don't blame the device.

Um NO... Segways can go 12.5 miles an hour. That is much faster than any of the rental Disney ECVS and most on the market. But nice try.

 

[wishspirit]

You state that Segways "are a threat to park guests". What is this based on? Could you please provide the supporting facts that back up this statement?

I'd specifically like to know of any reported instance(s) of a person with a qualifying disability injuring another person while using a Segway as their mobility device.

I look forward to your reply.

I think it is easy to see by Disney's own strict regulation and use of the Segways it already has.

Firstly, the Epcot tour is around World Showcase when it is not open to the public/ very light early crowds- minimising the safety risk. Plus every user is required to take a test to show they can work the segway, and the additional speed restrictions keep all dangers to a minimum. Disney, if they allowed segways, would not be allowed to ask a person why they needed to use a segway or even ask if they had used one before, leaving them open to further problems if an incident occured.

Secondly the Fort Wilderness tour is not done in crowded areas, and they are done with specialised segways. Disney is a very crowded and congested area, that often needs harsh breaking and swerving to avoid children and adults alike. Disney does not use its own segways in these scenarios.

I understand that Segway users would be in the minority, but it opens Disney up to so much more litigation later on, is it worth it for them? To potentially alienate a very small section of their theme park users for the safety of everyone?

Disney takes every practical measure when it comes to ECV's, they are as friendly and as concerned with accessibility as any company I know. If you don't believe me, listen to Kevin, listen to the DisUnplugged, cause they will keep on preaching how Disney go out of their way to make people with disabilities lives just that little bit easier, whether its just due to the high intensity of the parks or a constant in their lives.

 

[Justin Jett]

I think it is easy to see by Disney's own strict regulation and use of the Segways it already has.

Firstly, the Epcot tour is around World Showcase when it is not open to the public/ very light early crowds- minimising the safety risk. Plus every user is required to take a test to show they can work the segway, and the additional speed restrictions keep all dangers to a minimum. Disney, if they allowed segways, would not be allowed to ask a person why they needed to use a segway or even ask if they had used one before, leaving them open to further problems if an incident occured.

Secondly the Fort Wilderness tour is not done in crowded areas, and they are done with specialised segways. Disney is a very crowded and congested area, that often needs harsh breaking and swerving to avoid children and adults alike. Disney does not use its own segways in these scenarios.

I understand that Segway users would be in the minority, but it opens Disney up to so much more litigation later on, is it worth it for them? To potentially alienate a very small section of their theme park users for the safety of everyone?

Disney takes every practical measure when it comes to ECV's, they are as friendly and as concerned with accessibility as any company I know. If you don't believe me, listen to Kevin, listen to the DisUnplugged, cause they will keep on preaching how Disney go out of their way to make people with disabilities lives just that little bit easier, whether its just due to the high intensity of the parks or a constant in their lives.

Great post Wishspirit!! Thank You!

 

[Expert_Glider]

I understand that Segway users would be in the minority, but it opens Disney up to so much more litigation later on, is it worth it for them? To potentially alienate a very small section of their theme park users for the safety of everyone?

Isn't this discrimination?

Nobody has yet given one example of an accident involving an injury to someone else caused by a person with a qualifying disability using a Segway as a mobility device. Why is this so?

 

[Justin Jett]

Question:

Is Disney the only company/organization that is or has been sued because of this issue. If Disney has been singled out....that is unfair. Disney has NOT done anything wrong, and this whole thing is just a shame!

Disney does not deserve a lawsuit.

 

[jcb]

Justin,

Disney isn't the only one being sued. Many shopping malls limit the use of Segways - one of the malls here is even mentioned in the DOJ notice of proposed rulemaking I mentioned earlier. One, in Kansas, has been sued for requiring Segway users to sign a contract which would require the Segway defend the shopping mall if the Segway user injures a shopper. Not surprisingly, the Segway users are not happy about that.

Expert_Glider, you've put me in the position of agreeing with Rex - that doesn't happen all that often - though we come at it from a different angle. If you are participating or trying to participate in the lawsuit, you could be making a mistake by posting here. WDW is watching. At least, I would if I were their attorney (which I am not).

The simple answer is we aren't going to resolve this here. I'm happy to provide updates on the status of the lawsuit but I would prefer this not degenerate into continued back and forth statements asserting Segways are or are not safe in WDW.

 

[Expert_Glider]

Jack,

I agree that this isn't going to (and shouldn't) be settled here.

I happened on this site and thread looking for something else entirely. Some of the comments made were not correct in my opinion. I don't think it was intentional and I wasn't surprised by them either.

My intent was to point out some things and provide some resources for people to find out for themselves. Maybe even have a couple of them re-think their initial impression of the issue.

As the saying goes, equally informed people seldom disagree.

I appreciate that this thread has remained civil, which doesn't always happen on the web.

Thanks for the opportunity to add my .02 cents worth. I do hope some thought it worthwhile.

I'll continue to lurk and follow this thread if that's OK?

 

[Justin Jett]

Hi Jack,

I truly appreciate your updates and explanations. Thank you for putting my mind at ease. I'm glad WDW is not being singled out. It just seemed that WDW was being attacked for no reason.

I still fail to see a "need" for a Segway, when ECV's are available.... However, your explanations have really helped me understand the details.

 

[jcb]

I don't have a problem with anyone posting (or lurking) but I just thought that it might be a good idea to say something before someone said something that causes their attorney to have steam coming out her ears.

I don't agree with everything said here either, but my personal opinion isn't all that illuminating (even to me sometimes) and I don't really know enough about the competing concerns to make much more than an educated guess about the ultimate outcome of the lawsuit. I keep that to myself.

I encourage everyone who feels strongly about this issue to, if and when the DOJ issues the proposed regulations, comment on them to the DOJ. It is free, can be done on line (regulations.gov), and is your right as a citizen. . . . (not, Kate, that we don't want your opinion as well).

 

[wilde_oscar]

Tell that to a severely injured Gulf War veteran (or any veteran for that matter) with one or two prosthetic legs that can stand but cannot walk long distances.

I am a wounded vet, I have friends that are double below the knee amputees. They would rather walk. This statement shows you really don't own a clue on the topic.

 

[Expert_Glider]

I am a wounded vet, I have friends that are double below the knee amputees. They would rather walk. This statement shows you really don't own a clue on the topic.

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 Jett]

Why can't these people use ECV's like so many people do every day?

This lawsuit sounds like a cry for attention to me.