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.

Analysis: SeaWorld's Mobility Aid Controversy and Its Implications

The ongoing investigation into United Parks and Resorts’ mobility aid policy raises important questions about accessibility standards in public spaces. The company, which owns SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, is under scrutiny for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This stems from the restriction of rollator walkers and other wheeled mobility aids with seats, which has resulted in complaints from disabled visitors who feel their needs are not being met.

Under Title III of the ADA, public facilities must allow the use of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, and braces in pedestrian areas. The Justice Department's involvement indicates that the ban on rollators may not align with these requirements, as some visitors are claiming that the alternatives offered, such as seatless rollators or wheelchairs, do not accommodate their specific needs or are not practical for long periods of use. Additionally, there are concerns about potential additional costs for guests to rent suitable alternatives.

While SeaWorld Orlando has responded by offering free seatless rollators or wheelchairs to those affected, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has not provided any comparable solution. The company's claims regarding "different pathway layouts and terrain" at both parks seem to reflect the complexity of accommodating a wide range of mobility aids. However, this should not come at the expense of providing equal access for all guests, as emphasized by the DOJ.

Despite this controversy, United Parks and Resorts has historically been known for its efforts to improve accessibility, including Sesame Place Philadelphia's certification as an Autism Center. This context suggests that the current situation may be more of an oversight or logistical challenge rather than a deliberate attempt to exclude visitors with disabilities. Nevertheless, the situation demands closer attention and potentially corrective action to ensure that all visitors, regardless of ability, can enjoy these parks without facing unnecessary barriers.

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• SeaWorld’s parent company accused of disability discrimination