Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Under Investigation For Disability Discrimination

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday said it is investigating the company that owns Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando for discriminating against guests with disabilities.

The investigation into United Parks & Resorts Inc. will determine if the company violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said in a statement.

The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in public places, including theme parks.

“Every year, millions of people from around the world travel to Florida to visit our theme parks,” U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe said. “No one should ever be denied equal access to public accommodations based on disability."

According to prosecutors, the Department of Justice opened an investigation after receiving complaints from members of the public with disabilities who allege that three of its parks violate the ADA by banning guest use of certain walkers, known as “rollator walkers.”

Guests claimed they could not access the parks without their rollators, according to prosecutors, and the only alternative the parks offered required them to use mobility aids that were inappropriate for their individual disabilities. The park also charged them additional fees for the devices, prosecutors said.

“The ADA protects every American from disability-based discrimination in places of public accommodation, including theme parks,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon. “We are committed to upholding our federal civil rights laws so that no guest is denied access or charged more because of a disability.”

If you believe you have been a victim of disability discrimination by United Parks & Resorts Inc., including parks such as SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Aquatica Orlando, prosecutors said a complaint should be filed with the Civil Rights Division online at www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling the agency's toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301.