Canton, Texas Trade days-Segways Banned

[Tarkus]

I ask for forgiveness not permission, gave up on that a long time ago.

It's your choice but as soon as I started flying a placard the questions grew fewer.

Throwing in a AB glider will just add to your difficulties. I'd have your brother-in-law walk as you won't be moving faster that walking speed anyway.

As far as the law they can enforce, or try to enforce anything they like. That's why it's important that you have a copy of at least the summaries of the laws and be prepared to show them. Should it be that way no , but that's how it works when a Segways involved.

Good luck, fight the good fight.

Be Big,
AMAC

[Rolacoy]

I did ask when I called to see if I could find an RV park. We will arrive sometime on Thursday afternoon. As you say having someone who is "AB", I am not sure what that means, but I guess someone who does not have a handi-cap, would complicat things. So as soon as I get there I am going to "test the water" by myself with a hindi-cap sticker on front of my Segway. Whatever kind of security or police will have no way of knowing that I called. If I do not run into any trouble then my brother-in-law can give it a try, without the handi-cap sticker.

Riding the Segways is no big deal to anyone but me. I can not do the walking that is necessary, the rest of our group can walk. My interest in this trip is riding the Segway. Their goal is to look at the "Rust & Dust"

I have printed and carry the first paragraph and the summery at the bottom from the "Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice's Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA". I also carry a copy of the whole print-out, but no one is going to read the two whole pages. So I thought they might read the summery.

I am not sure how law enforcement may react to my riding or giving them the printed law, I will see and report back. It clearly states, "people with mobility impairments) must be permitted in all areas open to pedestrian use.", that is pretty clear. I will be nice when confronted, show the papers, ask for their supervisor and see what happens. As Karl has indicated, "there is no way of winning in a confrontation with the police". Once the Segway has been banned, I can park it and go t the city office to discussthe law with them.

We had to pay for three days at the RV park, surely I won't get more than 3 nights in the pokey.

[goldwing_midland_tx]

Originally Posted by Rolacoy

"AB", I am not sure what that means

I believe "AB" means "Able Bodied"

[KSagal]

[QUOTE=goldwing_midland_tx;213508]

Originally Posted by Rolacoy

"AB", I am not sure what that meansQUOTE]


I believe "AB" means "Able Bodied"

If I were there, the AB might mean a semi fat bald guy with a long black coat and a Stetson, but it is faster to type AB than SFBGwaLBCaaS.

In certain circles, "AB" does stand for 'able bodied'.

The reason I offer my joke, is because by any legal definition, I am a disabled veteran. I have the documentation, and sometimes I have a very defined limp and even a cane. The problem is most times I do not look like that, do not act like that, and I simply do not play that card. I choose to not play that card for as long as I can get away with not playing it.

So, if I were gliding, would I be AB? Most times, yes. Some times, no. And at this point in my life, I am not ready to choose to explain it to some rent a cop with a false sense of authority.


I am very supportive of people doing whatever they need to do to get on with their lives. The ADA does not give people with disabilities rights that others do not have, or at least that is not the intention. It simply codifies the fact that some person in authority cannot take away rights simply because a body may need a tool to do a thing that another person may not need to do the same thing.

In my understanding of all this, if you can walk it, you can walk it. Some people walk with their feet. Some people walk by sitting in a wheelchair. Some people walk by gliding on a segway.

This is why I think that a segway person is a pedestrian, as was stated by Dean Kamen, and a segway person is not a vehicle driver. I applaud those who NEED a segway to walk to take it where ever they want to walk. I just think it is able to be there anyway.

I have gone on at length as to if I am disabled or not. This I will say, a segway is a mobility device. If you are a person who can use his legs 10% as well as the average person, or if you are able to win the Boston Marathon without breaking a sweat, once you get on a segway, both will have their mobility enhanced, and both will still be pedestrians when using the segway.

[Rolacoy]

I am pretty active, but I wear out easy. Some of that is expected, maybe most, I am 71. But I have psoriatic arthritis which really has slowed me down. I don't like to publisize and seldom use the card in the car. If I push a cart in HomeDepot I can go all over the stor, but if I try to walk without the cart it wears me out. I also use a cain sometimes and that helps.

For this trip I am going to use the handi-cap so I can test their determination. I could try it without the sticker and then pull it if I am stopped, maybe that would be the best way, who knows. I am new at this and new on a Segway. It will be interesting and I am interested in different.

[Rolacoy]

Canton Thursday. We should get there mid afternoon. My plan is to stick a 2" x 2" handi-cap sticker on my Segway LeanStear bag and go to town all by myself and see what happens. I know whoever stops me will not know anything about the new laws and will just be following the rules laid down by the city. They probably will not be interested in reading the new rules, which are too complicated to understand anyway. Probably will be a rent-a-cop.

I have a breif 1/2 page printed to hand to whoever stops me:

"Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice's Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA
The Department of Justice (the Department) has amended its regulation implementing title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which applies to public entities. The ADA requires the Department to publish ADA design standards that are consistent with the guidelines published by the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board). Therefore, the title II rule adopts new Standards for Accessible Design that are consistent with the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines developed by the Access Board. The final rule also amends the existing title II regulation to make it consistent with current policies and published guidance, to reflect the Department's experience since the regulation was first published in 1991, and to address and respond to comments received from the public in response to the Department's 2008 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). These revisions take effect on March 15, 2011.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES:
1. Wheelchairs and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices. The rule adopts a two-tiered approach to mobility devices, drawing distinctions between wheelchairs and "other power-driven mobility devices." "Other power-driven mobility devices" include a range of devices not designed for individuals with mobility impairments, such as the Segway® PT, but which are often used by individuals with disabilities as their mobility device of choice. Wheelchairs (and other devices designed for use by people with mobility impairments) must be permitted in all areas open to pedestrian use. "Other power-driven mobility devices" must be permitted to be used unless the covered entity can demonstrate that such use would fundamentally alter its programs, services, or activities, create a direct threat, or create a safety hazard. The rule also lists factors to consider in making this determination. This approach accommodates both the legitimate business interests in the safe operation of a facility and the growing use of the Segway® PT as a mobility device by returning veterans and others who are using the Segway® PT as their mobility aid of choice."

The pros and cons have been discussed here at length, but any comments from you all are welcomed. I will be very nice, I hope to make the way easer for the next Segway rider.

[Rolacoy]

No word from Canton about the letter that I sent to them. It would seem that they could at least acknowledge the letter. There was nothing ugly about the letter, but I am not surprised.