High-tech wheelchair causes Disney ruckus
Featured, Hotels and Resorts, News — By rogers on November 29, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Myron Rosner and his ibot wheelchair at Walt Disney World on Sunday. (Rosner family / November 28, 2009)
By Jeff Kunerth, Orlando Sentinel
Myron Rosner, a paraplegic, has a fancy, high-tech wheelchair that allows him to elevate on two wheels. But two wheels are too few for Disney.
On Sunday, security guards at Animal Kingdom told Rosner his wheelchair violates the parks’ ban against Segways. He heard the same thing the day before at Epcot.
“I’m sorry, but this is not a Segway,” said Rosner, 49, who was injured eight years ago in a construction accident. “It’s an approved medical device.”
Unlike the Segway, where the rider stands up, Rosner sits in his wheelchair – but at a higher level so that he is eye-to-eye with other people.
Rosner’s iBOT Mobility System is like a Transformer wheelchair that can ride on two or four wheels, climb up stairs or plow through sand.
Rosner said he was told to convert it to four wheels or he would be asked to leave the park. He refused.
“I’m not a dog. I don’t want to be on all fours,” Rosner said.
Disney officials said Rosner was informed of the park policy against two-wheeled motorized contraptions but was allowed to stay in the parks. Rosner said he was harassed and followed by Disney employees.
“The IBOT vehicle is allowed in the park,” said spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez. “To ensure the safety of our guests, we ask that they be on all four wheels while boarding attractions.”
Rosner, who is mayor of North Miami Beach, owns one of the few hundred iBOTs that were manufactured by Johnson and Johnson until production was discontinued earlier this year. The company cited the wheelchair’s $30,000 price tag, low sales and the inability to get Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for the chair as the reasons for its demise.
Rosner said he, his wife, and children have been coming to Walt Disney World for years and his two-wheeled iBOT has never been a problem before.
But in 2007, Disney instituted a policy prohibiting the Segways, contending their 10 mph speed and balancing problems created safety hazards for other guests. The ban was protested by activists for people with disabilities and resulted in a lawsuit.
“I’m not going down on four wheels, no way,” Rosner said. “They’re trying to push me down and I’ve already been there.”
Jeff Kunerth can be reached at jkunerth@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5392.
Tweet This
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
Follow Dewayne on Twitter
136 Comments
Somewhere the basic idea of ADA has gone astray. The idea that disabled people should be able to have access to basic needs has been corrupted to the idea that they should be able to do EVERYTHING. This has led to a tremendous expense to every business and in the end, to everyone.
Do Lowes and Home Depot really need to have a HUGE portion of their parking lots devoted to disabled people? Are they REALLY working on their roofs and installing siding??
Does everyone need to ride EVERY ride in park? So for a minority of the population, ride builders have to create all of their rides so disabled people with any handicap can ride. Note, that the rule isn’t that a disabled person must be able to ride a majority of the rides, but that they HAVE to be able to ride all of them. If you follow the news, you know that this has led to accidents where a disabled person has been injured or killed since he couldn’t hold on! Of course, that is the parks fault for not preventing them from riding…but wait, the COULDN’T deny them!
Disney and other parks go way beyond what the should be “required” to provide for disabled folks. SOME disabled folks are just itching for a fight. Oh, but it’s not politically correct for non-disabled people to point out that disabled folks can be jerks just like non-disabled folks.
“Where does it end”
Up your ass you right wing prick!
Thank you for your intelligent reply! I truly respect the opinion of a learned person such as yourself.
Right on. You put out an honest comment that had some valid points. But apparently the left can’t have you doing that without doing any name calling themselves. Their method of yelling and trying to humiliate people into shutting up isn’t working anymore. Good for you “Where does it end”!
You know what? It’s rediculous that you commented on handicap parking spaces at Lowe’s. The amount of spaces that are handicap compared to the regular spots is extremely low. So what? You have to walk farther? At least you can walk a long distance, and there are some people that wish every day that they could walk even two feet.
And also not ALL rides must be handicap accesible, because people with more severe handicaps can’t even take the strain of rides on their bodies, so don’t even throw out that crap. Ride designers are only required to give reasonable thought to handicap accesibility.
Truly an intellectual answer. This seems to be the standard behavior of the Left, sociopathic at every opportunity.
This, too, is a form of Handicap, as it leaves the Left too impaired to function in polite society.
Well, the original poster just proved what he was saying Eve. Not too smart.
That’s odd, I was sure that “where does it end” was a kooky liberal
I am an above knee amputee and I go to Home Depot and Lowes all the time. I am also a female. I work on things around my house and am capable of climbing a ladder. There are times when I am tired or ill and cannot always wear my prosthesis so I use a wheelchair. I do not have a problem being on four wheels, but I admit it is hard to see or be seen sometimes. Even with my prosthesis, it doesn’t bend or move like a real leg and it is difficult to get in and out of some rides. I appreciate the extra efforts to help make rides enjoyable for all. I also know my limitations and do not try to ride everything. People should use common sense and be willing to work on a solution.
Oh so now according to you just because someone has a disability that means they shouldn’t be allowed to have the same lifestyle options as people without disabilities?
Seriously, I hope you get in a car accident and become a paraplegic. Then maybe you’d change your idiotic views on people who are different than you.
I seriously doubt he would somehow grow the sense of entitlement he perceives in others and detests.
I suggest that wherever you wrote the word “disabled” that you instead insert “Black” or “Chinese” or “fat” and see how far it gets you.
I hope everyone realizes that the driver does not have to be the handicapped one to park in a reserved space. Our 8 year old son is handicapped so when, and only when, he is with me in the car I park in the handicapped spot at the hardware store. He is not climbing on the roof or loading sheet rock but I do from time to time. I do agree some places go overboard on handicapped spots but other places, especially zoos, have way too few.
We had a great time at Disney with my son in his wheelchair. Not a fancy pants one like this guy has. We had some issues at Universal, they thought we were pulling a fast one for some reason. Heck his name is stitched into the chair, not like we rented one and just shoved a kid in it.
They should adjust the rules. This guy is trying to be as normal as possible. He should lower it to get on / off rides as stated but just rolling about the park he should have it up to talk to his family. Have you walked around Disney and tried to hear a normal height kid talk to you? Not easy when they are not at your height. You are mad at him for trying to be normal.
Just like the gays and lesbians its time for the disabled of the world to go and be disabled at your house, or a special home to help you! I am not responsible for this guy being in a wheelchair of anytype. Why should I have to wait longer in line and watch him and his family go to the head of the line and ride because he’s in a chair, go home and watch T.V or play a video game, leave Disney World to those of us who can walk and play like the fully functional people we are. I’m sick and tired of hving to accomdate those for whatever reason or twist of fate have a disabling condition. Face the facts, you are no longer the man or women you used to be, your disablied. Leave the real world to those who can function in it!
I’M SO SORRY FOR YOU
Nunur,
I too am saddened by your complete lack of compassion for those less fortunate than you. Surely, you have a friend or family member who is somehow physically or mentally challenged. We all live in the same “real world”. I;m certain that if you could “walk a mile in my shoes” you would see just how insensitive your remarks are(I am a Polio victim….and a Segway owner).
My man needs to get off his high horse (or chair, as it were) and focus on more important things. Namely, his fatbody of a son. That kid is going to join the slob parade of scooters down Main Street in ten years.
Disneys rules on their property. He does not have the right to go to Disney and buck their rules. He can open his own park and compete with his own set rules if any. As long as Disney obeys the laws, he can take a hike
AW,
Your remark reminds me of the old saying “he who has the gold makes the rules”. Fortunately, most Americans do not embrace that mindset and the ADA was drafted to ensure that corporate America did not prevent we who have disbilities from being able to enjoy the same access to venues as anyone else. If Obama will get off his hands and get his appointees to the Department Of Justice to begin their review of the changes to the ADA that were drafted in 2008 this will all be over. It is my understanding that these changes specifically mention the ibot and Segway as new technologies that are to be recognized as mobility assistive devices. When these clarifications are in place then Disney WILL be in violation of a law and me and my grandkids will be able to go to Disney World just like anybody else.
This is too ridiculous. This man was an idiot.
First off, he called everyone that is bound to a wheelchair a dog. (read it again…)
Second, anyone with an “Entitlement” issue like this needs to be dropped off on an island in the South Pacific and left to die. These are the same idiots that will cut you off on the road although NOTHING is behind you just because they want to be in front of you and not behind. Then the a**hats actually wave at you after they do it! Wow.
Third, how many times have all of you actually seen some moron park in a handicap spot only to get out of the car and walk smoothly to the entrance?? These people may have a family member who they drive around so they DO need the parking tag but what about when that disabled person isn’t with them?!?!?! That’s right, they still use it.
Fourth, This guy had this crap planned out. He KNEW that when he went in the park they would tell him to lower it and he intended to buck the rules just because he is an a**.
He is the mayor of a pretty good size city in South Florida. Wonder how he handles rules, regulations, ordinances, Florida laws, etc. in his city. Do you really think he would allow his constituents and employees to brake, ignore or circumvent regulations and rules, or is it just his way or the highway! Too bad he chooses to take this as a personal affront … maybe arrogance, egotism or self-importance.
Jeff , I found your web article on Mr. Rosner very interesting. My reason , You see this wheelchair has been in Disney before . In THE HOUSE OF INNOVENTIONS in EPCOT . They spent ten minutes bragging how this chair will make a chair bound person feel , ALIVE !! They showed it climbing up and down small steep hills and then climb stairs , Best was when they showed how it can not fall while on two wheels ! Mr. Rosner stick to your guns , I would love to meet you at The Rose and Crown , belly up to the bar and have a conversation, Eye to Eye .JIMDISNEY
I agree. When I saw this story I was shocked because I specifically remember this wheelchair being displayed at Epcot as an innovation. Why the theme park would prevent this customer from using one of their touted inventions I don’t know.
Simple LIABILITY!!! Disney, and I am no fan, probably has been informed by their insurance company or lawyers that they can be sued. OR THEY HAVE BEEN SUED and the rule is in response to it!
Michael,
Liability in this society means that McDonald’s is held liable for selling hot coffee at their drive thru. What a joke we are in this “defensive mode” culture.
The chair is not one of Disney’s inventions…it’s an invention of one of their sponsors, an invention that isn’t even made any more due to the hefty price tag.
Disney has the right to ask him to use it on 4 wheels since they have a ban against 2 wheeled vehicles (not just Segways)
A two wheeled device can also be a walker with two front wheels and fixed legs on the back. Is this subject to the same arbitrary and capricious judgment of a Disney security guard as well? I think this guy went looking for a fight…
And I resemble that remark(a disabled Segway owner who suffers from Post-Polio Syndrome). I too filed a brief in the Orlando District Court in the Disney class action lawsuit brought by 3 disabled Segway owners refused entry to Disneyworld. And just like the current liberalist owners of Disney, it’s a double standard in that their own employees have Segways. The DRAFT organization has donated over 200 Segways to veterans serving our country who came back unable to walk. Why doesn’t everbody in this thread go ahead and dis them too while they’re at it:0(
When I retire I plan on becoming a “Segway activist” and yes, I will go looking for a fight(look out Princess Cruise Lines…….you’re next)!!!!
Interesting responses. If I was that mayor, I would go on four wheels and enjoy his time w/family.
I dont think it was fair that they didn’t want to let him because of his wheelchair.
Really? Come on Disney.
What happened to being the happiest place on earth?
That’s not right.
Why should they care if hes bringing in some money?
Some of these people are so close minded and that’s why all these bad things are going to happen in the future.
Wow, I would really like to see all these people say these horrible things to this guys face.
Think about it, what if you were the one that was in a wheel chair?
And then even worse you weren’t allowed in theme park because of it?
You are already limited to not doing a lot of things.
This jerk needs a push chair and let him push that fat ass son of him.
You are missing the point.. Go back and read some earlier posts…
At House of Innoventions, there were items in there, like a future car, a future house, etc.. you don’t see folks using all those products, or driving in disney with a car just because it was listed as an innovention. Car shows routinely have experimental cars that, while cool, don’t include safety feature or do have some other features that make it unsafe to drive in its current mode down the street.
Whether or not this was in Epcot, doesn’t make a difference, as its just a showcase of products that care innovative, and not necesessarily safe or useful…
He wasn’ t banned from using the item, he was asked to keep it in 4 wheel mode, instead of 2 wheel mode. All reasonable accomodations are made for handicapped guests. If there was absolutely no way for his 4 wheel mode to work and he was denied, that is a violation of ADA..
however, there was no reason why his 4 wheel mode couldn’t do the same job that he claims his 2 wheel mode can, other than the fact, he felt like a dog.
Tough cookies… I hope he fails in court as I know he will try to sue. I wish I lived in NMB as i’d vote for him out..
Leave the man alone Disney, ur head is already so far up ur a** I guess you don’t care as long as u can raise the ticket prices and get your money. You should be shameful. That chair is def. not a Segway…….
Man am I pissed. Those incompetent morons that run my company now are complete idoits. Disney is supposedly about the future, the dolts running the show now are luddites for banning this technology. This is a huge black eye for Disney. If I was still able I would fire them idoits and give Mr Rosner and his family passes for life and let him use his device as he sees fit in my parks.
As an employee of the Walt Disney Company, I feel that I am more than entitled to tell you that your claim to this fine company is destructive and damning. While my superiors are not infallible, they are reasonable and open-minded men and women. Please for the sake of society, learn how to spell idiot. It is a terrible sign of the times that grammar and spelling are so undervalued. The red lines under words do mean that the word is spelled wrong. Disney’s eyes and hands are clean in this matter, but I think that you have forever marked yourself as an uneducated, close-minded man.
And I support Disney’s decision in this matter, a reasonable man would abide by the rules. Disney’s employees are taught to handle situations like this in a peaceful manner, and I am afraid that the Honorable Myron Rosner needs to come to terms with the rules.
Ugh…..I have complained for years about the fact that every single front parking space in our local shopping centers are set aside for handicapped use. Every single space??? Is that really necessary??? Isn’t that a form of discrimination against those of us who can walk but would like to park closer to the store? I have no problem making accommodations for people, but really this is taking it too far. He was not going to be on all fours like a dog:o( What a dolt. If people (ANY people) want to use places like amusement parks, they need to be willing to live by the rules. If they don’t like the rules, don’t go there. Approved medical device? So what? It’s made to work both ways, on two wheels and on four wheels. Get over yourself and use it on four wheels in places where there are safety concerns. The world doesn’t revolve around you and doesn’t have to change the rules to accommodate your inflated sense of self. Enjoy the park and be glad you aren’t confined to your bed.
I used to think like you until I had to spend several months in a wheelchair. Afer I was able to stand but still coulnd’t walk very far, I bought a Segway and the difference was night and day (seated versus standing). The inability to see or be seen in a crowded space is extremely frustrating and even a little dehumanizing. It was bad enough that I couldn’t do the same things as everyone else, but to have ignorant people with views like yours trying to dictate what I can and can’t do.
Businesses like Disney decide on many things based on how much is costs them or how much money they can make. If it weren’t for “rules” like those contained in the ADA, it’s doubtful that there would be any accomodations for disabled persons.
I’m lucky that I healed and can lead a normal life now, but not everyone is so fortunate. I still sympathize with those who are disabled because I know what it feels like. Can you say the same?
People tell me I’m “lucky” to have an accessible placard. Lucky? So I get to park near an entrance to a building. Meanwhile, every step I take is difficult, I need to ask for help going up and down stairs if there isn’t a handrail. I have a visible limp and my hips hurt. Wanna trade? You take my disability and I would happily give you my placard.
Myron Rosner is just one of many self-centered and over indulged politicians who is accustomed to having the world revolve around them. He is rolling around Disney in the “Rolls Royce” of wheelchairs, a chair so expensive that no one could afford to buy it, and now he is harping about being treated like a dog??? Oh, and the rumor around his city is that he used city tax dollars to buy himself this outrageously expensive wheelchair even as his city faces a huge economic crisis. What a zero!
Has smuggled Charlie Weiss’ ass into Disney and has it stuffed under his shirt
Has anyone stopped to think maybe it was a misunderstanding that has gotten out of control?? There are not many of those chairs out there especially since theyhave been discontinued. I was impressed as I saw one at the Columbus Zoo last year. Sometimes Employees misinterpret the rules or do not know about chairs such as this.
As for the Mayor, I think he is being a bit of a butt as well since he for one should know about misunderstandings/misinterpretations of the rules. They happen with many rules and things. Suing is getting out of control and makes one look ignorant. He was given an apology so what more does he want?? Oh yeah, the almighty dollar is what he now wants.
Ok mr Walt D. U are not the actual disney himself, please don’t make an ass of yourself by acting like that. It’s not funny, it’s insulting actually. And I agree, this guy, if he really wants to visit the parks, they r private property and therefore he needs to go by the rules or not visit.
what shame full people you all are. i have 2 medical degrees and my medical research material is being used to teach would be doctors , due to 2 18-wheelers racing though a red light and kept on running,my world changed forever. my IQ dropped all the way down to 158 due to massive head trauma and my body is completely broken uup and deformed permanently.
first the doctors told my parents to start making funeral arrangements.
then i will be in an vegetable state…then be paralized from the neck down cause my c-1 >c-3 were broken and a tumar grew around my spinal cord and its UNOPERATIBLE ECT .the constant pain isn’t even touched by morphine.
YES, MY FRIEND WHO DRIVES ME TO THE DOCTORS,TESTS AND STORES WILL PARK IN THE HANDICAPPED SPOTS! YES,I WILL USE MY ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR TO GET AROUND, SO I CAN FUNCTION AS MUCH AS I CAN ON MY OWN AND GET OUT OUT OF THE HOUSE!!I HAVE THE SAME HUMAN RIGHTS AS YOU DO AND I WILL AND HAVE FOUGNT TO GET THEM AND DEMAND THE SAME RESPECT.HINT I AM AN TEXAN, I DO NOT BACK-UP, BACK OFF OR BACK DOWN TO ANYONE. I MIGHT HAVE LOST THE ALAMO, BUT I ALWAYS WIN THE WAR!!!!!
I agree totally with Where Does It End. The ADA was passed with good intentions (I suppose) but it is abused constantly. Why can’t a handicapped person park in a regular space anyway? It is stupid to designate spots in front of everey business for them when spaces are at a premium. Life isn’t fair and some things in life aren’t available to everybody anyway. Where does it end indeed?
By the way, handicapped are often bigger a-holes than normal people, thinking the world owes them. It doesn’t. And yeah, leftists like Eve are definitely the biggest, rudest a-holes on the planet.
Last time I went to Joe Robby stadium a few years back I went to the men’s room during half-time. Naturally, it was full so after looking around to see that no handicapped were there I stepped into the “handicapped” stall which was vacant. I then heard a little boy ask his father if that was ok and oh-so-sensitive daddy loudly reply, quite portentiously, “oh no, that’s for disabled men”. To that I replied loudly, “funny, I thought what they wanted was equal access, you know, accessible stalls and all”, he said, “yeah, that’s right, so you’re not supposed to use ‘their’ stall”, to which I replied, “no, that’s exclusive access. Are they not still men? Men, who can wait their turn as I do? I always thought that’s what they wanted- to be treated as other men” And that’s the problem. When the whole disabled rights movement got going 25 years ago they had a valid point, equal access and fair treatment. Stalls were too small, ditto parking spaces and other accommodations and people looked askance at them and treated them as less than whole people. But like all the liberation movements of the left it became about exclusive and privileged access to where now stalls in crowded restrooms are reserved for the one person in a thousand who may need it and parking spaces are reserved for the one disabled person in the county that may be coming there that day. It has gone from a demand to being treated like everyone else to expectations of special treatment. For my part, I insist on taking the original disability rights advocates at their word and treating them as full men and women and all that implies.
People don’t realize how hard it is living your entire life in a wheelchair but if they do at least one single day in that situation like you did, they will soon realize how difficult it is. Imagine yourself one day being physically able and fit and the next, you will end up in a wheelchair. How would you feel? They don’t realize how accessibility is important until God forbid it, they will end up themselves in that situation and then they will understand.
All rights are imaginary.
One mans misfortune does not impose an obligation on another
Compassion is an attribute of people not organizations or societies
The ultimate blame (if there is blame) is on the employees not the master they serve.
Private property should mean disney can do what they want.
I wonder if there might be more to this story ?
I’ve seen those chairs, very cool tech.
Perhaps developments in exo-skeletons are a longer term advance
$30k to build one ? That says a lot about what is wrong in America today. Perhaps with the failure of our current elites we will return to being a nation of tinkerers.
Wheelchairs – 200 years and that is the best we can do ?
I think you are missing the point. We do not want to be treated like anyone else. We just want to be treated fair. We can do almost every thing anyone else can. We just need a little help, so if we can get a wheelchair that helps us to enjoy life a little please let us have and use them. We did not ask Disney to put us in the front of the line. I do not hope that any one gets hurt to see what it is like have to be like this, and I want everyone to have a full life. I hope to see you at Disney World I’ll put you on my lap and give you a ride. Life is to short let us all get a long, and have a good time together. If you walk away from people because they are different then you, then you may have just walked away from the best friend you ever had. I can also see that alot of people here are mentaly handicaped, and that’s okay I will still be your friend and love you . Thank you for being here for me.
Wow, the ignorance here is mind-boggling. I’ll be the first to admit that the disabled community has more than its fair share of jerks… doesn’t mean that we should punish the innocent anymore than we should punish innocent healthy people for the jerky comments posted here.
Why do rides need to be accessible???? That HAS to be a joke. Why don’t we decide black people can’t go on certain rides? How about fat people? Don’t forget gays, can’t have them blocking up our ride entrances. Exactly what gives ANYONE the right to decide that a certain segment of the population isn’t “entitled” to do what everyone else is doing? Ever hear of Jim Crow laws? Separate but equal? Not okay then, not okay now.
Are disabled people working on their roofs or installing siding? Don’t know, don’t care. Maybe they’re buying patio furniture…are they, in your world, permitted to sit on their patios? Or will their mere presence infuriate you? Perhaps they should stay hidden in their bedrooms.
Just exactly WHY on earth is it anyone’s business why a disabled person goes to Lowe’s, rides Disney attractions or does anything else they darn well please?
On topic? The wheelchair user has the right to use it any way he chooses, provided he is not causing a safety hazard. The chair was designed to be driven on two wheels or four, therefore no hazard, just an arbitrary rule laid down by an overzealous guard. Disney has every right to request that he board attractions in the four-wheel position. *Disclaimer* I am not a lawyer, just using common sense.
For the record, I am a non-disabled female in my early 30s.
I think everyone has kinda lost the point here. I worked in amusement parks for years an totally understand the ADA and its implimentation in that environment. However, I think what is going on here is absurd! Disney has simply asked Mr. Rosner to switch his chair into 4 wheeled mode WHILE HIS IS MOVING AROUND THE PARK. If he is standing in a line, at a restaurant, waiting for a parade etc he is completely allowed to raise himself up and speak to his family, cast members or whom ever else he wishes. The park has put a ban on Segway use in the parks not because of any type of discrimination but because of the danger to the other guests, and for the riders themselves. While anyone who uses these machines is obviously very very skilled, the people around them are not. Most of us have been to WDW and know that for so many, when they enter the park the average IQ drops about 50 points! So while you may be a master at the Segway, the guy that just walked in front of you and you stopped short to not run over and thus causing you to fall is not the master of his reality at the moment. Disney never said that these individuals could not visit the parks because of theri disability, they simply asked them to utilize a safer form of transportation. If you stop a motorized wheelchair short you probably won’t fall off! If you stop a Segway short you probably will, just google “George W Bush falls off Segway” and you’ll see. I totally agree with Disney here, all Mr. Rosner has to do is roll on 4 wheels when he is roaming the parks and everything will be fine. Maybe its just me but if I am there and get to experience everything that I am able to, I don’t understand why it matters if I am on 2 wheels or 4.
Rosner is nothing more than a grown-up spoiled brat. Actually, he’s a jack as(s) (i.e., stubborn and self willed, and about as smart as a mule). How the Hell did this guy ever get to be a mayor? Someone must have stuffed the ballot box!