header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
January 20
1993 - Hart High grad Dee Dee Myers (1979) becomes first female White House press secretary [story]
Dee Dee Myers


A California Army veteran accused Six Flags and Magic Mountain of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act in a class action filed Tuesday, claiming that they require disabled people to pass through a series of bureaucratic steps before visiting their amusement parks.

After taking those steps, and securing an Individual Accessibility Card, the veteran said he then experienced “public humiliation” when, on one occasion, a park employee ripped up his card.

The veteran, identified in the suit as “I.L.”, asked for a judge to certify the class and an order stating the companies’ conduct violated the law, as well as for compensatory, statutory and punitive damages.

The veteran in his suit stated that Six Flags Entertainment Corp. and Magic Mountain LLC discriminated against him by failing to provide an opportunity to participate in their services and be free from discrimination. They violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and the California Disabled Persons Act, according to the plaintiff.

Guests with disabilities must give their information before a visit, registering with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. The theme parks’ “Attraction Access Program,” which requires guests to give sensitive personal information and medical documentation, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, he wrote in the suit.

Guests must register online at least 48 hours before visiting a park to get an Individual Accessibility Card.

“Particularly relevant here, public accommodations: (1) may not impose ‘eligibility criteria’ that tend to screen out disabled individuals; and (2) must make ‘reasonable modifications in polices, practices, or procedures, when such modifications are necessary’ to provide disabled individuals full and equal enjoyment,” the veteran wrote.

A representative for Six Flags couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

The veteran — a season ticket holder during the 2022-23 season at Six Flags — has several disabilities, including sciatic nerve damage, post-traumatic stress disorder and a reflux disease. He has difficulty grabbing objects, unsteady hands and diminished use of his upper body, among other disabilities.

According to the veteran, in May 2022, he was told by a park representative that he needed to go online and submit an application for an Individual Accessibility Card. He completed the steps, printed the card and brought a paper copy to Six Flags Magic Mountain, in Valencia, California, in June 2022, during a birthday celebration with his wife.

He then handed his documentation to an attendant at the park’s alternative entrance.

“However, upon doing so, the employee took plaintiff’s paper card and ripped it up into four pieces, then handed it back to plaintiff and told him that he did ‘not look disabled enough’ to have the listed accommodations, that he looked ‘able-bodied,’” the veteran wrote.

The veteran also experienced inappropriate treatment during July and September 2022 visits.

In a November 2022 trip, he and his wife purposefully avoided interacting with park staff. He only rode one ride. The veteran didn’t show his access card in a December 2022 trip, as he thought staff would deny him accommodations, he wrote.

In June 2023, he went to Disneyland instead, as he didn’t want another birthday ruined over his disabilities and denial of services, as well as the public humiliation. He last visited a Magic Mountain park in September.

“Because disabled persons must gather the necessary medical documentation and submit it with their application on the … website prior to their park visit, persons with disabilities do not have that same luxury afforded to nondisabled persons,” the veteran wrote.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Jennifer Kilpatrick says:

    Yes the issuer of the special ID card discriminates against handicapped people. I went on the website tonight 12/28/23, and tried to apply for one of the ID cards but the website wouldn’t accept my application because I would not upload my medical records or a photo. Apparently both the ID card issuer’s and Magic Mountain’s management are too stupid to realize there are lawyers in California who are physically disabled too. Never a smart move to discriminate against a disabled person who knows the law.

Leave a Comment


LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Monday, Jan 20, 2025
The Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs will resume normal operations at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall (1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California, 90015) on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Monday, Jan 20, 2025
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is issuing a windblown dust and ash advisory following strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region through Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 p.m.
Monday, Jan 20, 2025
Ahead of another forecasted Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag warning and extreme fire weather, Los Angeles County is asking the public to prepare.
Friday, Jan 17, 2025
Friday, Jan 17, 2025
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau continues its dedicated efforts to locate individuals reported missing following the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, Jan. 21 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 21: SUSD Governing Board Regular Meeting
A Better World Running will host the Cupid Dash 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at West Creek Park 24247 Village Circle Drive, Valencia, CA 91354.
Feb. 16: Cupid Dash 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon
The Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs will resume normal operations at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall (1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California, 90015) on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Jan. 21: Normal Operations Resume at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is issuing a windblown dust and ash advisory following strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region through Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 p.m.
L.A. Public Health Windblown Dust, Ash Advisory
The Master's University men's basketball defense stepped up in the final moments of the game to get an 80-72 conference road win over Benedictine Mesa Thursday night, Jan. 16.
Defense Stepped Up in Mustangs Win over BenU
Three different players each scored 17 points and the team shot nearly 50 percent from the field as The Master's University women's basketball team defeated Benedictine Mesa 83-71 Thursday night, Jan. 16 in Mesa, Ariz.
TMU Women’s Hoops Gets Road Win over Redhawks
College of the Canyons men's basketball had four players reach double-digits but it wasn't enough to keep pace with No. 5 state-ranked Citrus College in a 111-77 road affair Wednesday night, Jan. 15.
Canyons Can’t Get Past No. 5 Citrus College
College of the Canyons women's basketball is still looking for its first conference victory after its 75-54 road loss at Citrus College on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Ceja, Saridin Shine, Cougars Fall at Citrus
Ahead of another forecasted Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag warning and extreme fire weather, Los Angeles County is asking the public to prepare.
County Warns: Dangerous Santa Ana Winds, Extreme Fire Weather
1993 - Hart High grad Dee Dee Myers (1979) becomes first female White House press secretary [story]
Dee Dee Myers
1967 - Original airing of Star Trek "Arena" Episode: Kirk battles the Gorn commander (Saugus resident Bobby Clark) at Vasquez Rocks [watch]
Kirk vs. Gorn commander
1899 - Martin & Richard Wood buy J.H. Tolfree's Saugus Eating House (still inside Saugus Depot), rename it Saugus Cafe [story]
Saugus Cafe
Fritz Coleman’s show "Unassisted Living," in Residency at the El Oortal Monroe Forum in North Hollywood, will be performed on Sunday, Jan. 26 t0 benefit the California Community Foundation Wildlife Recovery Fund with 100% of all profits raised donated to the fund.
Jan. 26: Fritz Coleman’s ‘Unassisted Living’ to Benefit Wildfire Recovery Fund
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a business meeting Wednesday, Jan. 22, beginning at 5 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 3 p.m.
Jan. 22: COC Board Business Meeting
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau continues its dedicated efforts to locate individuals reported missing following the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires.
LASD Reports 17 Still Missing in L.A. Area Wildfires
The Canyon Theatre Guild opens the Broadway musical, "West Side Story" on Saturday, Jan. 18 on stage at the community theater in Old Town Newhall.
‘West Side Story’ Opens at the Canyon Theatre Guild
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board has unanimously approved the appointment of Jordan Meraz as the new Director of Technology Services.
Jordan Meraz Named Hart Director of Technology Services
The American Red Cross is offering financial assistance for families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Los Angeles County wildfires. Assistance available to those affected by Eaton, Palisades, Hurst and Kenneth fires.
Red Cross Offers Financial Assistance to Fire Victims
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department have reported that containment efforts continue for all three activie fires still burning in Southern California.
Repopulation Efforts in Eaton, Palisades Fire Areas, 27 Fire Deaths Reported
Newhall Escrow, founded in 1963, has announced its acquisition by Santa Clarita Valley real estate professional Christian Lazore.
Newhall Escrow Changes Hands
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has announced that charges have been filed against eight additional individuals in connection with eight alleged crimes committed during Los Angeles County’s devastating wildfires.
County DA Charges Nine with Crimes During Wildfires
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board approved the appointment of Vince Ferry as the new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Vince Ferry Named Hart Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
California State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman have announced a rapid response effort to prevent and prosecute insurance fraud targeting wildfire survivors.
Officials Announce Efforts to Protect Wildfire Victims from Insurance Fraud
SCVNews.com