The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida have initiated an investigation into United Parks & Resorts Inc. for potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The investigation aims to determine whether the company, which operates popular theme parks such as SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Aquatica Orlando, discriminates against guests with disabilities by prohibiting the use of certain mobility aids.
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“The ADA protects every American from 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 in a news release.
The investigation was prompted by complaints from individuals with disabilities who allege that three of United Parks & Resorts’ locations violate the ADA by banning the use of rollator walkers. These individuals claim that the parks’ alternative mobility aids are unsuitable for their needs and incur additional costs.
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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 overseeing the case.
The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability by public accommodations, which includes theme parks.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida stated, “No one should ever be denied equal access to public accommodations based on disability.”
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SeaWorld Orlando’s Department of Marketing issued the following statement to Action News Jax on Wednesday:
“We are committed to providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive experience for all guests.
“After a comprehensive review, we updated our policy regarding rollators with seats due to misuse and safety-related incidents in the parks. Because guest safety is our top priority, the updated policy also addresses situations in which these devices were being used as wheelchairs, which is not permitted by manufacturers.
“Guests who arrive with a non-permitted device are offered approved alternatives at no cost to them, including rollators without seats and wheelchairs, to ensure they can fully enjoy our parks.”
If you believe you have been a victim of disability discrimination by United Parks & Resorts Inc., you are asked to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division online at www.civilrights.justice.gov, or by calling the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (1-833-610-1264 (TTY)). For more information on the ADA and the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.ada.gov or www.justice.gov/crt.
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