News Roundup: DOJ Investigates SeaWorld and Adult Changing Tables at Rest Areas

Welcome to the accessible travel news roundup, published on Fridays, which highlights interesting stories that are worth sharing, but not suited for dedicated, long-form coverage on this website.

Accessible travel and industry news from around the web:

Justice Department Launches ADA Investigation Focused on Florida Theme Parks — The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida launched an investigation into whether the parks’ ban on “rollator walkers” — wheeled walkers with seats — violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Complaints allege that guests who rely on these mobility aids are forced to rent costlier alternatives (e.g., wheelchairs or ECVs) that may not suit their needs. For what it's worth, I have never had a more miserable experience at a theme park than at SeaWorld, where I felt operators had failed to account for the needs and expectations of disabled parkgoers — and customer service responded with an attitude, rather than with empathy.

Adult Changing Tables Appearing at Highway Rest Areas in Iowa — Iowa’s Department of Transportation has installed height-adjustable adult changing tables at 23 interstate rest areas, making road trips far more manageable for families and disabled adults. Caregivers commented that the tables provide safety, privacy, and dignity on the road, and the initiative was recently recognized with an advocacy award from The Arc of Iowa for improving travel accessibility.
Democrats Urge DOT, Secretary Duffy to Enforce Consumer Protections for Air Travelers, Disabled Passengers — Fourteen Democratic members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee sent a letter calling on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Department of Transportation to enforce stronger wheelchair travel protections adopted under the previous administration. The rules, now under legal challenge by major carriers, would require airlines to increase training for staff assisting disabled passengers, notify travelers of their rights, and cover fare differences when a passenger’s wheelchair requires a different aircraft. You can read more on what has been paused in this article:

China Proposes New National Rules to Support Disabled Airline Passengers — The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) circulated draft rules that would compel airports and airlines to upgrade facilities, install assistive equipment, and streamline boarding procedures for flyers with disabilities. Proposed reforms include prioritizing boarding via aerobridges, providing ramps for height differences to aircraft, allowing passengers to check in wheelchairs at the gate (including electric wheelchairs where feasible), and mandating staff training — all designed to reduce transfers and make air travel more dignified for disabled travelers. It's a good first step, one that I hope will be backed up by strong enforcement.
One-sided Report Claims 'Flying Fakers' Responsible for Poor Disability Services at U.S. Airports — It's that timer of year again — More disabled people are traveling for the holidays, but news organizations want you to believe that every person using wheelchair assistance is a "flying faker." The articles are most likely a plant by the airline industry who want to distract from their appalling treatment of disabled passengers. While there are surely some cases of abuse, I have long-refuted the claim that faking a disability to get wheelchair assistance is widespread. 1 in 4 Americans have one or more forms of disability and, without investments in accessible design and sufficient staffing at U.S. airports, disabled travelers will continue to have their rights violated. Why did the journalist in this article parrot airline excuses and not seek out a single alternate viewpoint? For more reading (from my perspective), check out this story: