The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has today announced that they have launched an investigation into United Parks & Resorts Inc. to determine whether it violates Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by discriminating against guests with disabilities.
The Department opened this investigation after receiving complaints from members of the public with disabilities who allege that three of its parks (SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay) violate the ADA by banning guest use of certain walkers, known as “rollator walkers.”
Complainants allege that they cannot access the parks without their rollators and the only alternative the parks offer would require them to use mobility aids that are inappropriate for their individual disabilities and to incur additional charges, among other allegations.
RELATED: Rollator Walkers “Not Permitted” at SeaWorld Orlando Anymore [Update]
“The ADA protects every American form disability-based discrimination in places of public accommodation, including theme parks,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said. “We are committed to upholding our federal civil rights laws so that no guest is denied access or charged more because of a disability.”
“Ever year, millions of people from, around the world travel to Florida to visit our theme parks,” U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida said. “No one should ever be denied equal access to public accommodations based on disability. Our office remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that all individuals with disabilities are guaranteed their rights under the ADA.”
Trial Attorney David K. Gardner from the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra N. Karahalios from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida are handling this case. Stay tuned as this is a developing story.
Stay tuned to Orlando Theme Park Zone for more Orlando theme park-related news and information.
H/T Justice.gov
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