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Disabled guests sue Disney on Segway ban
A while back, Disney World made the decision to ban Segways from the park because "they can go faster than 12 mph" which is a danger to other guests. And now three disabled people are, of course, suing the company."The suit filed Friday says they're among an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 similarly disabled people who have turned to Segways as mobility tools," according to an article by the AP.
Okay, I can understand that it might be an inconvenience to not be able to use a Segway when you're used to riding one, but Disney World is a private company who has made a decision that's in the best interests of the majority. It's not like they're banning wheelchairs. There is a solution, however. If the problem with Segways is the speed, why not have an arsenal of speed-governed Segways that can be loaned out to guests. You could even paint them to look like Goofy or something.
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Filed under: Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 10)
Archie Nov 13th 2007 5:02PM
Can't wait for the lawsuit against Disney by somebody who got clobbered by a "disabled" riding on a Segway, and the immediate subsequent lawyer enriching lawsuit for punative damages from Disney for allowing a person, with a known disability, to use a segway in the park, therfor willfully and neglectfully endangering all guests, when Disney could have known and should have known a person with known disabilities probably could not operate the Segway in a safe and proper manner.
Alicia Nov 13th 2007 5:02PM
I wonder how these people got before segways were invented????
mike Nov 13th 2007 5:06PM
heck i dont even know what a segway is, my power chair will get me where i need to be...i dont want to sue anyone except the doctor that made me rely on a wheel chair...
jjs Nov 13th 2007 5:19PM
I agree that the suits are stupid, but Disney has a less than tolerant view of the world. We were ordered to leave with a properly credentialed service dog. Security could not find any evidnce of any rule that said they were porhibited. This is in violation of several federal laws, including ADA, but who wants to take on Disney in such a contest. The disabled person with the dog was emotionally distraught because she thought they were taking her dog away from her. We left and vowed to go elsewhere in the future.
Betsy Nov 13th 2007 5:25PM
It is unreal what people will sue for. If you are disabled you are not able to ride a segway. You have to stand all the time and that is not possible for a handicapped person. If you are handicapped you can rent the wheelchair or mororized scooter.
Bob Calvert Nov 13th 2007 5:33PM
I have trouble getting around also, and am getting disability from the VA stemming from Viet Nam issues, but don't consider myself 'SPECIAL' These people should go and acceopt what is there or stay the hell home.
D Nov 13th 2007 5:40PM
Segways in Disney??? Give me a break!!! A couple of years ago, due to a medical condition, I passed out in the park, and spent the first day of our vacation in a wheelchair. (NO way would I have been able ot stand-up all day on a Segway) We have always been very tolerant of handicapped individuals, and I have no problems with scooters or wheelchairs. But a Segway??? You're STILL staanding up all day long, if you have limited mobility issues, use the wheelcahir for crying out loud!! The Disney cast members are very accomodating to those with disibilities going so far as to give them preference with special attraction entrances just for those with disibilities.
I agree, in this day and age, lawsuits are getting out of hand! Ever have to move out of the way of someone on a Segway? Those things are "crusing" and you'll more than likely get run over,then what? Who gets to sue then? The one on the Segway because you didn't get out of their way, or the one who was run over by the Segway? Only in America. . . .
jhb Nov 13th 2007 5:30PM
disney did have a test program for segways at one time, and they were speed governed, but they are still quite dangerous for others in the way they handle and maneuver. the parks are not setup for segways and crowds and never can be properly. not to mention they are quite dangerous for the actual participant and the risk of lawsuits was quite high. so they canceled that program very quickly. in this case suing is plain stupid. it's not about being disabled it's about wanting free money and attacking a corporation that has done everything possible to cater to everyone at their parks. there are options available for handicapped people, if they do not like them then go elsewhere and spend your money elsewhere. damn jerkoff lawyers and idiot segway wantobe cripples.
dave Nov 13th 2007 5:38PM
ever notice,95% of the people who use motorized carts should be walking,they are so F#&ken fat they need the exercise!
Chuck Nov 13th 2007 5:42PM
This is what I do know, in 1992 I took my family, including my wheel-chair bound father, to Disney World. Disney World went out of their way to make my father's experience there a great one. I will always be greatful, it was a wonerful way to celebrate his 75th birthday. He had no trouble getting around, being seated at restaurants or even going on many rides and attractions.
justme Nov 13th 2007 6:28PM
I was involved in an auto accident 4 1/2 years ago that made me un able to walk for long distances... I use a cane or a walker and when it gets realy bad a wheel chair... I can not even imagin some one sueing Disney for not letting them ride around on a SEGWAY... So many ( not all) people have just given up and do not even try and walk... so as a result they are now dependent to scooters and segways... I will not even get a Handicaped parking pass becuse I do not want to become dependent on special treatment any were... If I ever wanted to go to Disney I would find a way to do it on my own two feet even if it is with a little bit of help from a cane or walker... stop being babies.... just becuse you have some handicap dosen't mean you need special treatment all the time... if you just tried to walk a bit more you would find that you do not realy need these scooters and segways as much as you think you do.
hc Nov 14th 2007 11:23AM
People have to remember:
Disneyworld is not a public park. It is private.
Disney has made accomodations for handicapped people.
If the accomodations are not to your liking, go somewhere else.
George Nov 13th 2007 5:44PM
Surely they are kidding. One must be in good condition to ride a Segway. Even with the computer assisted balancing if you slide through a horse turd or hit a pothole, you're on the ground. One must stand up while riding and be able to control it. Not a mission for the elderly or infirm. I'm-66, fly airplanes, and ride motorcycles but those Segways scare even me. The Postal Service tried to make us use them a few years ago but after several very healthy carriers were hurt and the Tampa Postmaster was bucked off of one the idea faded into a deserved obscurity. (I wonder how much the higher ups were bribed!) Anyway, those suing are not really old or disabled, even if they have a sticker. A truly aged or disabled person can't ride a Segway. And the people that do ride them are a group of arrogant buggers who go at top speed through groups of disabled visitors.
Rex Nov 13th 2007 5:44PM
It still amazes me all the stupid comments made by non-disabled persons.
So instead of using your FREE segway (that you've had to pay an arm and a leg to get), you should PAY to rent a motorized scooter to get you around the park.
People who are disabled are so not out of choices -- so all the ignorant comments about them being lazy can stop too. (Curtis)
Finally, they probably wouldn't even be suing unless Disney had not tried to prohibit them. Disney is only out to make money -- otherwise they would offer their motorized scooters for free. Besides, most disabled persons will slow down/stop if there are people in front of them. (Unlike the idiots who dart right in front of a handicapped person on a Segway just to get a friggin parking spot. (and that's not the worst things i've seen)
Dave Nov 13th 2007 6:01PM
I am disabled with a few things. One being periferal neuropathy. This is permanet nerve damage in my legs. I've lost my balance before and have fallen down 12 stairs a couple of times. I can't walk more than a block. SO I just use a cane since I don't go to far. I live in pain 24/7. A sedgeway would be the best way to get around for those who don't understand how you can be disabled and walk. You must be thinking you have to lose both legs and arms to be disabled. I don't believe in suing but I think WDW should reconsider the use of them in the park with a governor to control speed. I would hate to have to sit in a wheel chair as I am not that bad off but I am disabled.
lisa Nov 13th 2007 6:00PM
All of you bashing disabled people: All I can say is there, but for the grace of God, go you. Sooner or later, you or someone you love will also be in this situation. It's not a question of "if" .... but WHEN. My daughter was stricken with a virus that paralyzed her from the waist-down, at age 10. She is not lazy, she is not fat, she is not self-serving. She's a kid who NEEDS scooters and wheelchairs. They are her life-line. I, personally, do not like the Segways and I have a feeling that if you scratch the surface, you may find that Segway is behind this suit. However, I agree with the poster who said that the entire issue could be rectified if Disney provided speed-controlled Segways for rent. Then again, that would not have any influence on those who brought their own Segways into the parks, would it?
dalcrazy7 Nov 13th 2007 6:00PM
It is those who are on motorize cart that have no disreguard for other and run people over that are running it for those of use that are disable and do respect the safty of others.
If only those few few who have respect for others safty insteed of thinking they own the park since the are on a motorize cart things would not be this way. those who are walking have the right of way not use on the scooters.
Denise Nov 13th 2007 11:02PM
For all of you who think that handicapped is all about being a wheelchair, think again. It's about having a heart condition, a lung condition, neuropathy, and a host of other ailments that aren't necessarily visible. One person suggested a governor on the Segways and that is a good idea. They are not lazy Vicki, unlike you who has no clue at all what disabled really means. Spend a week in a wheelchair and try to get around. See how you like being called lazy. If you have ever had the opportunity to spend time in a wheelchair, you can appreciate that standing on a Segway puts you upright with the rest of the crowd instead of being looked down on and ignored. I spent 3 months in a wheelchair due to foot surgery and people wouldn't even make eye contact. I couldn't go shopping at dept. stores because there wasn't enough room in the aisles to get by even though they are required by law. I couldn't reach items because they were too high. Try opening a door from a wheelchair. And the weight of the wheelchair is too much for a lot of people who are otherwise mobile to get in and out of a vehicle.
lisa Nov 13th 2007 6:03PM
How about banning those stupid sneakers with the wheelies in them? They are the REAL hazard at WDW. I saw a kid take a nasty tumble on those things in Magic Kingdom ( not that I wasn't a bit glad that the little bugger fell lol )
jan Nov 13th 2007 6:13PM
I agree with the majority. suing over their mode of transportation within the park is totally stupid. almost anywhere one goes, there are wheelchairs available for those who truly need it. some people take advantage of using motorized wheelchairs, i have seen this myself, because i work a a major grocery store. i have seen these people actually get up and leave the buggy to walk down the isle to the other side just to pick something up and walk all the way back. they have no problems but take they take advantage of something desinated for the handicap or elderly. if these people can stand then they do not need to use segway's to get around. disney provides help to those who need it. if they need help all they have to do is ask for help when they get there. segways can be dangerous. i almost got hit by one at they beach a couple of years ago. these people are reaally petty in their decision to sue.