NEWS: SeaWorld Orlando Under Investigation for Disability Discrimination

Some news has come out involving the Department of Justice and SeaWorld Orlando.

The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida have launched an investigation into United Parks & Resorts Inc., the global theme park and entertainment company that owns or licenses several brands, including SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Aquatica Orlando.

The Justice Department has begun an investigation to determine if the company, United Parks & Resorts Inc., is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating against guests with disabilities. “The investigation follows complaints from members of the public with disabilities who allege that certain parks are violating the ADA by banning the use of rollator walkers, which they need to access the parks”, according to WFTV 9.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, “The ADA protects every American from disability-based discrimination in places of public accommodation, including theme parks.”

“No one should ever be denied equal access to public accommodations based on disability,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida.

There have been complaints from guests who have reported that they cannot access the parks without their rollators, and that the parks’ alternative option for mobility aids is “inappropriate for their individual disabilities requiring additional charges.” The ADA strictly prohibits discrimination based on disability in public accommodations, including theme parks.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for any more news surrounding this story. For more theme park news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to AllEars.