Accusations of disability discrimination against SeaWorld’s parent company

Federal authorities are examining whether United Parks and Resorts, the parent company of SeaWorld, is breaching the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by restricting certain mobility aids for guests. The investigation focuses on claims that visitors with disabilities are being denied access due to a ban on specific types of walkers.

According to an update on SeaWorld Orlandos website, rollator walkers and other wheeled walkers with seats are no longer allowed within their Orlando parks. The same restriction applies to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, citing "different pathway layouts and terrain" as the reason for the ban.

The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida report that some visitors "assert they cannot enter the parks with their rollators, and the alternatives offered are either unsuitable for their individual needs or involve extra costs," among other concerns.

In a press release issued in late November, the DOJ referenced Title III of the ADA, which guarantees that "in all pedestrian areas, public facilities must allow the use of wheelchairs and manually powered mobility devices, including walkers, crutches, canes, and braces." The Department also urged anyone who feels they have faced disability-based discrimination to file a complaint with its Civil Rights Division.

SeaWorld Orlando has stated that guests who rely on rollator walkers will be provided with an approved seatless rollator or a wheelchair free of charge. While Busch Gardens Tampa Bay does not mention a similar provision, United Parks and Resorts emphasizes on its corporate site that it is dedicated to ensuring equal access for visitors with disabilities and strives to accommodate all guests across its parks.

Historically, United Parks and Resorts has been recognized for its accessibility efforts. Notably, Sesame Place Philadelphia became the first theme park globally to receive certification from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards as an Autism Center.

Author: Zoe Harrison