Disney introduces Electric Standing Vehicles for guests with disabilities

[Virtual Toad]

I am sensitive to and supportive of any effort to assist parkgoers with true disabilities. Unfortunately there is rampant abuse of the privilige and adding another powered vehicular option will add ANOTHER layer of stress to the parks.

Keeping my kids safe around these things is a real and dangerous game. My son nearly got run over once by someone driving their ECV full-throttle at Epcot and a second time I actually had to push my son out of the way and I took a nasty hit to my heels protecting him from the guy who thought he had absolute right of way. And he actually had the nerve to get on my case-- after he hit me-- because in his words we were not walking in a "straight line." Forget the fact that he wasn't watching where he was going.

One of the great things about WDW was its pedestrian-friendly nature but ECVs are powered vehicles and should not be used unless ABSOLUTELY MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

Two questions. What happened to good old fashioned wheelchairs and what will happen when a child is run over, seriously injured or even killed by an irresponsible ECV driver? I'm frankly surprised this hasn't happened already.

 

[Vader2112]

I wasn't aware of that ... that definately has to change.

I do not think Disney would want to battle to change the ADA! They are in enough trouble in FLorida right now over Wage and Hour issues. Plus being accused not paying there employees a living wage.

 

[themonkeyisthesultan]

I saw some of these being tested the other day. They look pretty much the same as the regular ECVs that Disney rents out only with higher handlebars and something that looks like a padded paddle in place of the seat.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I did a quick search for standup ESV images. Most are 3-wheel but this turned up:

Not sure if that's what Disney has exactly but it should give a general idea.

 

[Vader2112]

I do think it is odd that these are stand up vehicles. This sounds more like a tool for the lazy not those with true disabilities.

 

[RandomPrincess]

So you can't stand in line but can on a ESV...in mean time my husband is trying to figure out how we can get one... don't think the pregnancy line will work for one of these.

You don't have to figure out how to get one, just pay your $50 and it's yours for the the day.

 

[Eeyore]

I do think it is odd that these are stand up vehicles. This sounds more like a tool for the lazy not those with true disabilities.

I'm not so sure a lazy person is going to chose a stand up vehicle over a regular ECV where they get to remain sitting.

 

[Vader2112]

I'm not so sure a lazy person is going to chose a stand up vehicle over a regular ECV where they get to remain sitting.

Standing on a motorized platform is still not walking. I am not opposed to these type of things for those who truly need them. Again it is another revenue stream for Disney to rent these things. Are they still going to offer the traditional ECV as well?

 

[lego606]

According to ADA Section 35.137, subsection C - Mobility Devices
(1) Inquiry about disability. A public entity shall not ask an individual using a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device questions about the nature and extent of the individual's disability.

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV nor the Internet, but this sounds pretty clear. I would be curious of your interpretation.

I believe Disney isn't a public entity as they are not a government institution.

 

[Eeyore]

Standing on a motorized platform is still not walking. I am not opposed to these type of things for those who truly need them. Again it is another revenue stream for Disney to rent these things. Are they still going to offer the traditional ECV as well?

Yes, ECVs will still be available this isn't a replacement. Its an additional accomodation for those needing it.

This is a vehicle for people with very specific disabilities. I suspect we will see very few of these actually being used in the parks. I still believe that someone who is truly just lazy is going to chose an ECV over this device any day.

 

[GrumpyFan]

I believe Disney isn't a public entity as they are not a government institution.

I believe you're right on that. However, I'm not sure if it's covered under ADA or HIPAA or some other health care privacy mandate, but I seem to remember there are legal restrictions on how much information a (disabled/handicapped) person is legally required to provide to ANY entity. I believe Disney has taken the high road and steer clear on this with GACs and these types of access devices and decided to form a policy where they won't ask for or require any kind of proof for them. Basically, it's a trust system, unfortunately, there are a few who will take advantage of this and ruin it or give it a bad image for those who truly need it.

 

[SirLink]

According to ADA Section 35.137, subsection C - Mobility Devices
(1) Inquiry about disability. A public entity shall not ask an individual using a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device questions about the nature and extent of the individual's disability.

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV nor the Internet, but this sounds pretty clear. I would be curious of your interpretation.

One could argue that Disney is a private entity.

 

[MichWolv]

The problem is Disney can't require proof of disability from guests due to Federal Laws.

I wasn't aware of that ... that definately has to change.

You want private businesses to be able to demand medical information before complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act? No thanks.

 

[MichWolv]

Yeah. That's not even remotely true.

Indeed it is. From the US Department of Justice's Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Businesses may ask individuals using an other power-driven mobility device for a credible assurance that the device is required because of a disability. An assurance may include, but does not require, a valid State disability parking placard or other Federal or State-issued proof of disability. A verbal assurance from the individual with a disability that is not contradicted by your observation is also considered a credible assurance. It is not permissible to ask individuals about their disabilities.

Note that credible assurance includes verbal assurance not contradicted by observation.

 

[sshindel]

Great! Now they can run me over while looking me in the eyes.

I'm more worried about them running over my kids because they're now 4 feet over them and likely looking up and not down. With a regular ol' ECV, at least they are theoretically about eye-level with most children.
Now, never being on a Segway or similar, that is just speculation, but it's the first place my mind went.

 

[janoimagine]

I do not think Disney would want to battle to change the ADA!

Understood but my point was if that is true then I think it's the ADA that needs to revise it's stance. Especially considering the garbage surrounding ECV's, their suppliers, some of the ECV owners who have no business owning them, and the companies that knowingly bill Medicare for said abuse.

Take a look at these article's for proof. FBI Raids Scooter Store and Power Chair Companies rip off the Government.

Also ... Tosh pointed out the idiocy of this paticular power chair owner ... I swear I have seen this person at the parks.

 

[janoimagine]

You want private businesses to be able to demand medical information before complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act? No thanks.

If it prevents them from defrauding the system and protects those who truly have disabilities and eliminates a stereotype as a result? Absolutely.

 

[sshindel]

If it prevents them from defrauding the system and protects those who truly have disabilities and eliminates a stereotype as a result? Absolutely.

But that is not the resposibility of Disney. They have no power (or interest) in preventing people from defrauding the system, and as much as we might like to think of Disney as a force for all things good, they don't care what stereotype is associated with the people who are paying money to rent these from them is.
Now, there does need to be reform here, espeically based on the recent reports on the fraud going on as it affects the federal government, but this is not Disney's hill to die on.

 

[MichWolv]

If it prevents them from defrauding the system and protects those who truly have disabilities and eliminates a stereotype as a result? Absolutely.

I'm gonna choose privacy of health information over a desire of a company make people adhere to its policies, even though I'd love it if the abusers would get kicked out of the parks.

 

[MichWolv]

Understood but my point was if that is true then I think it's the ADA that needs to revise it's stance. Especially considering the garbage surrounding ECV's, their suppliers, some of the ECV owners who have no business owning them, and the companies that knowingly bill Medicare for said abuse.

Take a look at these article's for proof. FBI Raids Scooter Store and Power Chair Companies rip off the Government.

Also ... Tosh pointed out the idiocy of this paticular power chair owner ... I swear I have seen this person at the parks.

The ADA is a law...it has no stance. The Department of Justice enforces the ADA.