Segways spark suit vs. Disney

[Jimmy Thick]

This is a silly argument.

Segways, in my opinion would not be the safest choice for the transport of disabled people due to the fact of the potential dangers involved. When the parks are crowded, it would be next to impossible not to hit someone. Too many kids and adults lost in the magic of Disney who do not watch where they are going.

Think about it, how many times have you run into someone just walking?

 

[PhilharMagician]

Isn't Disney private property? How can you sue someone for not letting them endanger others on your property? If this was a lawsuit about the use of these on public property this may be a differant matter, but this is insane.

I can say that I personally do not want to see people just flying around WDW on these. What is next a lawsuit because people are not allowed to wear Heely's and run people down? Jeesh it is bad enough as it is with getting hit by strollers, kids wearing Heely's and crazy scooter drivers. I usually have at least one hit and run on every trip to WDW. Now I just might have to watch out for a high speed accident. :hammer:

 

[Nansafan]

This is a silly argument.
Think about it, how many times have you run into someone just walking?

I run into people all the time just walking. We joke about it saying that the person "was distracted by shiny things". But it's true, people (and by people I mean ME) get distracted at WDW. Walking into things, people, carts, is a daily occurrence. If the Segways are not covered by insurance, how are they truly considered a necessity?

DisneyYorkian74, there are a few companies in the Orlando area that you can rent an ECV or wheelchair for the duration of your vacation. A co-worker's mother has mobility issues and he rents the ECV for her. It is delivered to the resort they are staying at and held in Baggage Service until they arrive. It is then theirs for the duration to use in the resort, shopping and at the parks. When they leave to return to the airport, they simply leave the ECV with baggage services and the company picks it up. He found the company simply by googling ECV's in Orlando.

 

[tigsmom]

Isn't Disney private property? How can you sue someone for not letting them endanger others on your property? If this was a lawsuit about the use of these on public property this may be a differant matter, but this is insane.

I can say that I personally do not want to see people just flying around WDW on these. What is next a lawsuit because people are not allowed to wear Heely's and run people down? Jeesh it is bad enough as it is with getting hit by strollers, kids wearing Heely's and crazy scooter drivers. I usually have at least one hit and run on every trip to WDW. Now I just might have to watch out for a high speed accident. :hammer:

It is private property, but is open to "public accommodation" and therefore is covered by the ADA of 1990. Now I'm taking this from Wiki (not my favorite source, but a quick one)...

Under Title III, no individual may be discriminated against on the basis of disability with regards to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation. "Public accommodations" include most places of lodging (such as inns and hotels), recreation, transportation, education, and dining, along with stores, care providers, and places of public displays, among other things.

The parks, restaurants and hotels have to be made available to those with disabilities, but it does not say what types of transportation you have to let people use. Making the parks wheelchair and scooter friendly and making some available for rental to those who do not own them is a must, but it does not say that you have to let every type of transportation in.

 

[WDW Monorail]

Reporting live from the Magic Kingdom...

A disabled guest operating a Segway who was involved in a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian is now in a high speed chase with Disney Security in hot pursuit...


Seriously, if these disabled guests would like to use Segways in the parks, upon arrival, they should sign a form stating that they shall be liable for any damages caused.

 

[NASAMan]

I'll bring my jet pack next time and claim it is my mobility device - or my gyrocopter, or maybe just my bike. After all, it's about dignity!

On the other hand, if I spent $5K on a transportation device, I'd be upset if someone told me to park it. But that's because I'd feel foolish for the investment. (BTW, I think the Segway is great, and would love to own one!)

Disney provides the resources and infrastructure to accomodate guests of various physical abilities. One cannot expect to change that paradigm on a personal basis. One way to bypass this is to pass on the liability in the form of a non refundable deposit to cover any loss that may occur to other customers. In other words, guest would need to 'self-insure' themselves.

 

[utrythinkinof1]

I live near Washington DC and when I'm downtown, I see people falling off Segways all the time.

 

[GoofyFan1]

Disney makes "reasonable accomodations" by having wheelchairs and scooters available. Having fought for a colleague who needed extra time in the morning before coming to work, Disney is on fairly solid ground here.

From a personal saftey point of view, I do not want to have to start avoiding segways that can go 15+ mph. It's hard enough trying to stay in one piece now with the scooters.

 

[H20Babie]

I live near Washington DC and when I'm downtown, I see people falling off Segways all the time.

You didn't happen, by chance, to see this, did you?

Disney's new slogan: "If George can't do it, no one can!" :zipit:

 

[KeeKee]

Seems like if Disney's accommodations have been reasonable and adequate for the entirety of its existence, why would the Segway issue not be considered a specious argument - at best? Probably someone trying to tap into the Disney legal fund for their own personal gain.

I agree with everyone else, there are enough ankle biters out there now. If you add Segways to the mix, what's next? Hospital beds pushed by attendants?

 

[nankeldisney821]

I also have to agree with Disney on this. I don't want to be run over by these things either, it is bad enough with all the people in the scooters. Also, I think there would be more lawsuits by people being run over by them.

I do have an issue with all the people saying that it is not dignified to use a wheelchair or scooter. I know the people who want to use them are saying they would lose their digninty so that is just them being ignorant and having to feel more important than the rest of us, but for some of you that have said the same, that it is not dignified, is just wrong toward the people that can't afford the Segways or are just more comfortable in a wheelchair or scooter. That is just my opinion....

 

[tigsmom]

I also have to agree with Disney on this. I don't want to be run over by these things either, it is bad enough with all the people in the scooters. Also, I think there would be more lawsuits by people being run over by them.

I do have an issue with all the people saying that it is not dignified to use a wheelchair or scooter. I know the people who want to use them are saying they would lose their digninty so that is just them being ignorant and having to feel more important than the rest of us, but for some of you that have said the same, that it is not dignified, is just wrong toward the people that can't afford the Segways or are just more comfortable in a wheelchair or scooter. That is just my opinion....

It is the people who need to use a wheelchair who have said they have lost their dignity...they can no longer walk and must rely on others to push them around. It is the same as a person no longer being able to care fore themselves, they feel they have lost a bit of their dignity.

I personally see nothing wrong with needing a w/c or scooter to get around... as a nurse I cared for many people who could no longer walk or stand for a long period of time. I think its great that they are not in a bed somewhere wasting away. I may feel differently when it comes to my turn, but I love WDW and if it take a w/c to get me around there so be it! :lol:

 

[hansel1]

The lawsuit doesn't have merit. The ADA forces companies to use reasonable means to help people with disabilities. Here, disney allows scooters and wheelchairs while not allowing segways. Disney is using reasonable means.

If the plaintiffs argue that the policy brings indignities to the individual they must prove that the policy was meant to do so. I doubt the plaintiffs can prove that disney is unreasonable and meant to indignify people with disabilities.

 

[jmvd20]

I'm sorry, but that is just not true. My mother has a dislocated patella which makes it very difficult for her to walk. She also has degenerative disk disease which makes her unable to sit in a wheelchair or a scooter. I'm not suggesting that WDW be the proving ground for segways - it could indeed be dangerous. But I just wanted to point out that there are people out there who CANNOT use wheelchairs and it has nothing to do with dignity. I wish she could use a wheelchair - it would make things much easier.

When you have gone to WDW in the past what type of mobility aid did she use?

 

[nankeldisney821]

It is the people who need to use a wheelchair who have said they have lost their dignity...they can no longer walk and must rely on others to push them around. It is the same as a person no longer being able to care fore themselves, they feel they have lost a bit of their dignity.

I personally see nothing wrong with needing a w/c or scooter to get around... as a nurse I cared for many people who could no longer walk or stand for a long period of time. I think its great that they are not in a bed somewhere wasting away. I may feel differently when it comes to my turn, but I love WDW and if it take a w/c to get me around there so be it! :lol:

Sorry...maybe I took it wrong but I thought I had seen that someone had said people have lost their dignity if they use the scooters & wheelchairs. Anyway, I also had to take care of my own mother while I watched her die from Cancer and she needed a wheelchair before she became bedridden. She did lose a little dignity but felt, just like you said, she wanted to get out and not lay in bed when she didn't need to yet. I just hope someday people will realize they can still keep their dignity. If they just gave up and stayed home in bed all day then they would seem like they would be losing their dignity a lot quicker but at least they are getting out!

 

[brisem]

It's also interesting that Seaworld wasn't mentioned in the Lawsuit, since they were mentioned in the original Newspaper article.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Sorry to sound heartless here, but what did these people do before the invention of these (relatively-new) Segways? When did they become a necessity?

I'm all for heartless when its a frivilous lawsuit.

 

[unkadug]

This is just DRAFT testing the political waters/public opinion on their proposed changes to ADA.

If they had sued Six Flags they wouldn't have gotten as much press.

 

[OmegaKnight]

How do you also screen someone who uses a Segway for disability purposes and a person who just rides one for the fun of it? Disney does go out of their way (sometimes way out of their way) to accomidate guests with disabilities. In fact, the levels that Disney goes to should be commended for making sure everyone who steps through the gates feels equal. Not an easy task to do with the amount of people who enjoy the parks every day. At some point, Disney just needs to draw the line in the sand.

 

[AlishaMisha]

When I was at Gaylord Palms a woman in a motorized cart pinned me against the buffet table causeing my food to fall all over me. And because it malfunctioned it was in a constant forward mode, so until it got fixed I was still pinned and hurting. Long story short, it took 20 mins for them to get me out.

Having that said...no segways.

A question to the person who was talking about the person who can't sit down... Does she use a segway now?

And to the comments about losing "dignity"... Doesn't a Segway make them look like they are trying to be "better" than us? So where is our dignity going? Note: I don't mean they are trying to look like they are being better than us...I just know that thats the vibe I get when I see people on them... all I see and hear is "hey! look at me! Im rich! I got access to technology and I don't have to walk like...um...oh I'm sorry...like you peasants"

My $ .02

:king:~Leash