Disney doesn’t allow disabled folks with Segways to use them in their parks.
Although Disney World allows Segways on bike paths in the outlying resort, it bars them from the theme parks because they haven’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as medical devices.
“Basically, it’s difficult to accommodate two-wheeled vehicles,” said Disney World spokeswoman Jacquee Polak.
Disney World traditionally has been very sensitive to the needs of the disabled. The resort has wheelchair-friendly swimming pools, audio devices for the visually impaired and a hot line for people with disabilities to call for information. People with walking problems can use wheelchairs or scooters in the parks.
I’m not quite sure why Segways would be more difficult to “accomodate” than motorized scooters and wheelchairs.
The irony here is that my expericence up-close with Segways was at EPCOT at our last visit …
Disney’s sensitivity to the needs of the disabled was not always the case. In the late 70’s, major changed occurred. Prior to that they were decidedly unfriendly to the disabled. They are now one of the best of the theme parks for the disabled. Maybe they just need some time…..
One sure sign that the Disney Magic is getting stale and is being performed by people with instruction manuals and not vision.