Archive for October 9th, 2009

The courts dismissed a suit brought against the Walt Disney Company by those demanding to be allowed to use Segways in the parks for reasons of disability.  I find it discouraging that this company, which fosters some of the most accessible places on earth, must battle to maintain a safe environment for the majority of visitors.

It’s difficult to imagine how overwhelming it must be to face each day knowing that even the simplest task will be a physical challenge.  How terrific to find a vacation destination which has invested so much to ensure the comfort and convenience of all guests.  A quick trip outside the U.S. is all that’s required to see just how far our country has come in terms of public accessibility, and Disney stands at the forefront of this initiative.

There has already been a huge proliferation of wheeled vehicles in the parks over the past several years.  In addition to the guests with infants in strollers and the injured and disabled in wheelchairs and EVC’s, there are now many more families choosing strollers for much older children, and a number of visitors renting ECV’s simply as an easier way of getting around.

The fortunate masses, who have good health and/or fortitude, wait patiently as vehicles are loaded onto busses; suffer banged ankles from errant strollers, and endure the ever more congested walkways.  Every guest pays a monetary premium at the parks and resorts to underwrite the infrastructure put into place to make Disney destinations welcoming and wonderful for all visitors; and we do it gladly.  At some point, however, this silent majority should be able to expect some consideration, as well.

There is no individual who has not encountered something made for general use  which is not right for him.  Whether it is a cabinet too high, a counter too low, a lid too tight to open, an uncomfortable seat, or print too small to read, every single person has to compromise now and again; make do; ask for assistance; use a stepladder; wear glasses.  And, few of us have the expectation that things should be adjusted simply to suit those of us who are taller, shorter, weaker, older, or have bigger feet than average.

As one who visits the parks often and has been on a Segway several times, I am of the opinion that the two don’t mix.  Perhaps wheelchairs and ECV’s are not the perfect answer for everyone, but nothing is.  The addition of Segways to the busy parks would be simply unsafe.

Americans seem to cling to the notion that all of life’s unfairness can be legislated out of existence.  It is unfortunate that some may not be able to experience the parks standing up, but it’s a minor inconvenience.  It’s no more “undignified” than having to deal with many other small inequities that life throws at all of us, and certainly does not outweigh the safety issues for everyone else.

It would appear, though, that this battle is far from over.  The ADA has framed this as a matter of “equal treatment and human dignity.”  I find that deeply offensive.  To use those time-honored words as a basis for this action belittles their very meaning.  Whatever our individual abilities, we all need to share equally in the concepts of compromise and consideration for others.  That’s equal treatment; that’s dignity.