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Many people with intellectual disabilities go to Disneyland parks. Some people with intellectual disabilities are not treated the same as others at the parks. In the United States of America, some families are suing Disney for this. They want people with intellectual disabilities to be treated like everyone else. Unapei is a French organisation that works for people with intellectual disabilities. Unapei also started a campaign. The campaign wants people with intellectual disabilities to be treated like everyone else at Disneyland. |
In both Europe and North America, more and more families are taking action over Disney’s discriminatory treatment of people with intellectual disabilities visiting its amusement parks.
Last month, Inclusion Europe wrote about its member Unapei launching a campaign against the marginalisation of visitors with intellectual disabilities at Disneyland Paris. Following numerous complaints that Disneyland’s Priority Pass only further served to prevent people with disabilities from enjoying equal rights, Unapei vowed to put an end to the segregationist policies implemented at the parks.
The petition, initiated by Unapei, a French federation representing the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, has reached 30,000 signatures, thus further underlining the increased concern over accessibility issues and discrimination faced by visitors at the company’s European resort.
In the USA, a lawsuit has been issued claiming that Walt Disney Parks and Resorts policy is in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and action will be taken to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are able to enjoy equal rights within the amusement parks. Thirty families, representing 36 people with disabilities intend to put their names to the lawsuit.
The ADA and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California have reported that since the families announced their intention to sue, many more people have come forward to voice their support and to provide witness testimony having also been victim to Disney’s unjust policies towards people with intellectual disabilities.
The primary concern for the individuals seeking to sue is the company’s modification to the queuing policy for people with disabilities, which previously led to “widespread” abuse, according to Disney officials. However, the company’s recent adjustments to the policy have to insufficient, discriminatory practices against visitors with disabilities.
To find out more about Unapei’s petition against Disney’s discrimination against visitors with disabilities, please click here.
Or, if you would like to testify to your treatment at a Disney amusement park, please contact: discrimination@unapei.org
Unapei is the first federation of French associations representing the rights and interests of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families. Created in 1960, it brings together 550 associations of volunteers, parents and friends, who believe that all persons with intellectual disabilities should have access to equal opportunities and be integrated in society.
