A major theme park holding company had prohibited the use of wheeled walkers in their parks and facilities.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida filed a lawsuit against United Parks & Resorts, Inc. (UPR) for an alleged violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The corporation holds a variety of well-known theme parks and entertainment experiences, such as SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
UPR’s policy banning the use of wheeled walkers with seats across parks is the focal point of the lawsuit. The department filed the case after a significant number of complaints from park goers with disabilities who alleged that parks would not allow them to enter with their wheeled walkers with seats. This policy prevented children, veterans, and other disabled individuals from maneuvering through the parks.
“The ADA requires equal access for people with disabilities, and theme parks such as SeaWorld are no exception,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida said, “The ADA requires theme park companies like UPR to provide guests with equal access, regardless of ability. This complaint reinforces our commitment to holding public accommodations in the Middle District of Florida accountable when they engage in disability discrimination.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Assistant Attorney General Dhillon and Attorney Kehoe as they seek to uphold federal law to ensure accommodation for those who are disabled.
- For DOJ officials as they seek to hold theme park companies accountable for this discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Sources: Justice Department
