Disney's new policies governing visitors with disabilities had sparked numerous protests and prompted the filing of several lawsuits since its enactment in October 2013. As of today, 14 new lawsuits had been filed against the company due to alleged violations of the principles laid down under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
"The systems, policies and procedures associated with the Disability Access Service which Disney rolled out in October of 2013 were certain to create discrimination against Plaintiffs, and it was obvious that the community of persons with cognitive impairments would be harmed by the DAS," asserted one of the plaintiffs.
The change that ignited these issues stemmed from the new guidelines implemented by Disney with respect the type of access provided to differently-abled guests visiting Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure. Prior to this change, the guests with disabilities and their group were granted priority access for majority of the rides.
The new rules now require such visitors to obtain a Disability Access Service Card, which would include the photograph of the guardian accompanying them inside the attraction. With this card, the guest with the disability would be allowed to bring with him or her a maximum of five companions. After selecting the rides they which to experience, Disney employees in-charge will give them an allocated time to board.
The individual filing of these lawsuits was done according to the order of U.S. District Judge Anne Conaway last month, which disbanded the group discrimination case initially filed by the complainants. According to Conway, the plaintiffs could not be regarded as one group due to their distinct circumstances. Hence, they must prove their allegations individually.
Following this order, Disney could potentially face a minimum of 69 cases from Florida alone. This was revealed by Eugene Feldman, a Hermosa Beach lawyer, and Andy Dogali, an attorney from Florida. However, this is not yet the official number of possible lawsuits to be filed against the entertainment giant as the more and more families are expressing their desire to seek justice for the discrimination they suffered.
At present no official statement had been given by Disney or the families filing the lawsuits.
