Disney World Bans Handicapped from Parks in upright Wheelchairs

dmcowen674

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Oct 13, 1999
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2-9-2004 Disney's Segway Ban Upsets Some Disabled

Disney World doesn't allow visitors, even those with disabilities like Exum, to use the self-balancing transportation machines. The policy has angered some Segway owners with disabilities and surprised others since the Disney parks have a reputation for accommodating the disabled.

They say even some Disney employees use Segways, which are becoming increasingly popular with people who otherwise would have to use wheelchairs.

Disney World doesn't allow the Segways into the parks because they haven't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as medical devices, said park spokeswoman Jacquee Polak.

Disney World traditionally has been very sensitive to the needs of the disabled.

"Basically, it's difficult to accommodate two-wheeled vehicles," she said.
 

gsaldivar

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Apr 30, 2001
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"They want you to sit in a wheelchair and feel even more handicapped," Jenkins said. "Most people I know aren't ready to sit down. It's an insult."



rolleye.gif



 

BugsBunny1078

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Jan 11, 2004
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What does the food and drug administration have to do with motorized human transport devices?
What does the Burea of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms have to do with stolen tires and other such nonsensical things?
 

TheGameIs21

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Apr 23, 2001
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I don't see why this is an issue.... In today's litigation society, I would make the same call.

The Segway devices are new and the park is old. There are hazards in the park that they have to fix before they allow them in. It just takes ONE FALL from at a hazard and the park will be sued for millions.

The people can still come in so they can't cry Discrimination.

 

Nitemare

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Feb 8, 2001
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Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
I don't see why this is an issue.... In today's litigation society, I would make the same call.

The Segway devices are new and the park is old. There are hazards in the park that they have to fix before they allow them in. It just takes ONE FALL from at a hazard and the park will be sued for millions.

The people can still come in so they can't cry Discrimination.

It's called a waiver, businesses have them all the time.
 

burnedout

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Oct 12, 1999
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Perhaps the Walt Disney Co. also considers the Segway's speed in reaching their decision. After all, a 300 lb. hyped-up "tourist" careening recklessly at 20 kph would seemingly impact a person or object a little harder than one traveling at 5 kph.
 

TheGameIs21

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Apr 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: Nitemare
Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
I don't see why this is an issue.... In today's litigation society, I would make the same call.

The Segway devices are new and the park is old. There are hazards in the park that they have to fix before they allow them in. It just takes ONE FALL from at a hazard and the park will be sued for millions.

The people can still come in so they can't cry Discrimination.

It's called a waiver, businesses have them all the time.

Waivers lose most of the time when they come into question. Especially in CA. CA and many other states use the "least knowledgable (sp) consumer" rule that will over-ride any signed agreement.

 

Nitemare

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
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Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Originally posted by: Nitemare
Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
I don't see why this is an issue.... In today's litigation society, I would make the same call.

The Segway devices are new and the park is old. There are hazards in the park that they have to fix before they allow them in. It just takes ONE FALL from at a hazard and the park will be sued for millions.

The people can still come in so they can't cry Discrimination.

It's called a waiver, businesses have them all the time.

Waivers lose most of the time when they come into question. Especially in CA. CA and many other states use the "least knowledgable (sp) consumer" rule that will over-ride any signed agreement.

Ahhh the retarded user defense...the same reason why they put do not drink warning labels on Drano....

 
Jan 12, 2003
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Originally posted by: Nitemare

Ahhh the retarded user defense...the same reason why they put do not drink warning labels on Drano....

...and "Caution: Hot" labels on drive-thru coffee containers with, gasp, hot coffee therein.
 

C'DaleRider

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Jan 13, 2000
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Disney World Bans Handicapped from Parks in upright Wheelchairs

Unfortunately, the hyperbole in the OP's title is just flamebait. The Segway is NOT an upright wheelchair and is not designated as one and never was intended to be one. Let's see it work for a true quadraplegic as does a conventional w/c....and tehre ARE upright wheelchairs around of a more supportive, conventional design.

One of the problems with the device is its speed.....since pedestrians walk at roughly 3mph and Segways travel up to 12mph, there is a safety issue. And when someone with Mulitple Sclerosis is operating such a device, as the lady who is complaining in the article, I'd think safety would be a critical issue. After all, one of the hallmarks of MS is muscle weakness, sometimes with very sudden onset of weakness of one side or one half of the body. So just think what would happen when the person suddenly swerves left/right while cruising down the sidewalk because of sudden onset muscle spasm/weakness makes that person unintentionally "lean" the Segway.

Another thing.......if these persons are so disabled to require wheelchair-like transport to assist them, how are they to support their own weight over a long day? Remember, one cannot use the handles on the Segway for body-weight support.....your steering of the thing woould be somewhat compromised.......the pressure on the handles does induce steering inputs into the machine.

 

gsaldivar

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Apr 30, 2001
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Originally posted by: C'DaleRider
Disney World Bans Handicapped from Parks in upright Wheelchairs

Unfortunately, the hyperbole in the OP's title is just flamebait. The Segway is NOT an upright wheelchair and is not designated as one and never was intended to be one.

This is just typical of Dave's many posts here.

He takes an article, gives it a loaded/sensational title, cuts out the pieces he doesn't agree with - and posts it here on AT.

In the original article, the Segway is called a "two-wheeled vehicle".

Somewhere between when Dave read the article, and decided to post it here, this description changed to an "upright wheelchair".

rolleye.gif


Change a word here.... cut out a few words there... all in a day's work for "Chicken Little".

:beer::D
 

dmcowen674

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Oct 13, 1999
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Originally posted by: C'DaleRider
Disney World Bans Handicapped from Parks in upright Wheelchairs

Unfortunately, the hyperbole in the OP's title is just flamebait. The Segway is NOT an upright wheelchair and is not designated as one and never was intended to be one. Let's see it work for a true quadraplegic as does a conventional w/c....and tehre ARE upright wheelchairs around of a more supportive, conventional design.

One of the problems with the device is its speed.....since pedestrians walk at roughly 3mph and Segways travel up to 12mph, there is a safety issue. And when someone with Mulitple Sclerosis is operating such a device, as the lady who is complaining in the article, I'd think safety would be a critical issue. After all, one of the hallmarks of MS is muscle weakness, sometimes with very sudden onset of weakness of one side or one half of the body. So just think what would happen when the person suddenly swerves left/right while cruising down the sidewalk because of sudden onset muscle spasm/weakness makes that person unintentionally "lean" the Segway.

Another thing.......if these persons are so disabled to require wheelchair-like transport to assist them, how are they to support their own weight over a long day? Remember, one cannot use the handles on the Segway for body-weight support.....your steering of the thing woould be somewhat compromised.......the pressure on the handles does induce steering inputs into the machine.

Congrats Dale for getting directly on point.

So would you support the Segway for all of these people if they are "limited" to 3 mph to match that of Pedestrians?

Or do you believe in Government Red Tape punishing a whole class of people?

It certainly appears to be the latter.
 

burnedout

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Oct 12, 1999
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Dave, have you ever been to Disney World on a crowded day? Allowing just any Tom, Dick and Harry the abilty to travel around those parks at 4x the speed of normal human pace amounts to little more than potential litigation coupled with an attorney's wet dream.

Joe "I'm disabled, everybody should feel sorry for me and go out of their way to accomodate my insanity" Blowhard won't really care if the park gets sued because he wants to enjoy the moment.

Joe can easily say "well, I promise to travel at 3 MPH (5 kph)". Do you always trust someone you just met? No, of course not. In this case, the needs of the many (read: other park guests and the Walt Disney Co.) outweigh the needs of the few (read: Joe).
 

dmcowen674

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Originally posted by: burnedout
Dave, have you ever been to Disney World on a crowded day? Allowing just any Tom, Dick and Harry the abilty to travel around those parks at 4x the speed of normal human pace amounts to little more than potential litigation coupled with an attorney's wet dream.

Joe "I'm disabled, everybody should feel sorry for me and go out of their way to accomodate my insanity" Blowhard won't really care if the park gets sued because he wants to enjoy the moment.

Joe can easily say "well, I promise to travel at 3 MPH (5 kph)". Do you always trust someone you just met? No, of course not. In this case, the needs of the many (read: other park guests and the Walt Disney Co.) outweigh the needs of the few (read: Joe).

Absolutely and have many wheelchair wheels roll over my feet too when at the park. Should I have sued every one of them?

I said "limited" as in a simple switch added that would keep the speed at 3 mph, like a Speed Governor for while in the park. That should "alleviate" the fear of people becoming bowling pins.



 

burnedout

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Oct 12, 1999
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Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Originally posted by: burnedout
Dave, have you ever been to Disney World on a crowded day? Allowing just any Tom, Dick and Harry the abilty to travel around those parks at 4x the speed of normal human pace amounts to little more than potential litigation coupled with an attorney's wet dream.

Joe "I'm disabled, everybody should feel sorry for me and go out of their way to accomodate my insanity" Blowhard won't really care if the park gets sued because he wants to enjoy the moment.

Joe can easily say "well, I promise to travel at 3 MPH (5 kph)". Do you always trust someone you just met? No, of course not. In this case, the needs of the many (read: other park guests and the Walt Disney Co.) outweigh the needs of the few (read: Joe).

Absolutely and have many wheelchair wheels roll over my feet too when at the park. Should I have sued every one of them?

I said "limited" as in a simple switch added that would keep the speed at 3 mph, like a Speed Governor for while in the park. That should "alleviate" the fear of people becoming bowling pins.
I suspect if Segway speed could be limited to that of normal human walking pace in a foolproof sort of way then these people wouldn't be so adamant about the whole thing. They wouldn't be able to zoom willy-nilly around the parks. I see this whole conflict as little more than an attempt to exploit systemic loopholes at the potential expense of others.
 

dmcowen674

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Oct 13, 1999
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Originally posted by: burnedout
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Originally posted by: burnedout
Dave, have you ever been to Disney World on a crowded day? Allowing just any Tom, Dick and Harry the abilty to travel around those parks at 4x the speed of normal human pace amounts to little more than potential litigation coupled with an attorney's wet dream.

Joe "I'm disabled, everybody should feel sorry for me and go out of their way to accomodate my insanity" Blowhard won't really care if the park gets sued because he wants to enjoy the moment.

Joe can easily say "well, I promise to travel at 3 MPH (5 kph)". Do you always trust someone you just met? No, of course not. In this case, the needs of the many (read: other park guests and the Walt Disney Co.) outweigh the needs of the few (read: Joe).

Absolutely and have many wheelchair wheels roll over my feet too when at the park. Should I have sued every one of them?

I said "limited" as in a simple switch added that would keep the speed at 3 mph, like a Speed Governor for while in the park. That should "alleviate" the fear of people becoming bowling pins.
I suspect if Segway speed could be limited to that of normal human walking pace in a foolproof sort of way then these people wouldn't be so adamant about the whole thing. They wouldn't be able to zoom willy-nilly around the parks. I see this whole conflict as little more than an attempt to exploit systemic loopholes at the potential expense of others.

Thank you and a lot of people thank you.

Being forced to stay seated when the Technology exists to be "Homo Erectus" is inhumane.


 

burnedout

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Thank you and a lot of people thank you.

Being forced to stay seated when the Technology exists to be "Homo Erectus" is inhumane.
Dave, Dave, Dave.... Of course the technology exists. However, that isn't the question. Should Disney go out and spend $5K ea. for say 30 "limited" Segways when the current system in place has sufficed for 33 years? Or if this is such the issue then I can perhaps see WDC spending $1K each for a "Homo Erectus" type of powered-transport. And this particular mode of transport does exist.

But you know something? Even if WDC purchased some upright kiddie scooters, these same sniveling people will continue whining because they can't take their Segways inside the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, etc., etc., etc.
 

glugglug

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Jun 9, 2002
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Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Being forced to stay seated when the Technology exists to be "Homo Erectus" is inhumane.

What does gay porn have to do with this? (jk)

Segways are illegal on the sidewalks of most major cities because of the danger to other pedestrians. So of course they are not going to allow them in the crowded parks at Disney.
 

dmcowen674

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Oct 13, 1999
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Originally posted by: glugglug
Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Being forced to stay seated when the Technology exists to be "Homo Erectus" is inhumane.

What does gay porn have to do with this? (jk)

Segways are illegal on the sidewalks of most major cities because of the danger to other pedestrians. So of course they are not going to allow them in the crowded parks at Disney.

Can you prove this "danger"?

Like I said I agree about the 12 mph since that would make human bowling pins but limited to 3 mph makes them no different from a regular wheelchair.