The U.S. Division of Justice is investigating a number of main theme parks for probably discriminating towards folks with disabilities.
The company mentioned it launched an investigation into United Parks & Resorts Inc. to evaluate its compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act. The corporate owns or licenses theme parks together with SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Sesame Place and others.
“The ADA protects each American from disability-based discrimination in locations of public lodging, together with theme parks,” mentioned Assistant Legal professional Normal Harmeet Ok. Dhillon from the Justice Division’s Civil Rights Division. “We’re dedicated to upholding our federal civil rights legal guidelines in order that no visitor is denied entry or charged extra due to a incapacity.”
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Officers with the federal company’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Center District of Florida mentioned they had been prompted to behave after receiving complaints from folks with disabilities alleging that three of United Parks’ properties are violating the ADA by banning rollator walkers with seats.
With out the walkers, the company indicated of their complaints that they had been unable to entry the parks. Additional, the complaints allege that the one choice the company got was to pay for mobility aids that weren’t applicable for his or her wants.
The Justice Division mentioned the complaints emerged from SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Aquatica Orlando. The company pointed to a web page on SeaWorld Orlando’s web site indicating that its coverage on rollator walkers had been up to date as a part of a “common overview of security and accessibility practices.”
“Consequently, rollators and wheeled walkers with seats will not be permitted at our Orlando parks,” the web site states. If company arrive with a non-approved rollator walker, the location signifies that “their machine might be checked and held whereas they use an accepted rollator with no seat or a wheelchair, each offered without charge.”
Accessibility pages on web sites for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Aquatica Orlando characteristic related info.
Officers with United Parks & Resorts didn’t reply to a request for remark.
The Justice Division is urging anybody who believes they’ve been a sufferer of incapacity discrimination at parks affiliated with United Parks & Resorts Inc. to file a criticism with the company’s Civil Rights Division.