Dreamworld disability controversy

Disabled riders are required to perform a health check before only being able to ride selected rides at Dreamworld on Australia’s Gold Coast.

AUT university student Alicia Kapa, who has cerebral palsy, travelled to Dreamworld with her carer Leah Stewart for a thrilling experience.

Miss Stewart explained that after entering the park and lining up for the ‘Shockwave’ ride, the pair were informed that Miss Kapa would need a health check and a rider’s pass, and then could only ride a selected 17 rides.

“The best way to describe the atmosphere was hostile . . . it felt like we were being assessed to go into war . . . which is the last thing you expect to experience at a theme park,” said Miss Stewart.

The health check included an assessment of whether Miss Kapa could grip with her hands and raise her legs.

Miss Kapa was frustrated about the treatment received.

“I felt confused about why I needed a medical examination because I haven’t had one before and also my health is not low.

“I felt like they didn’t look at my disability itself but instead looked at if I can hold on and lift my legs which I could do but still only gave me mostly kid’s rides.”

Both Miss Stewart and Miss Kapa said that the 17 rides listed on the rider’s pass were children’s rides or rides where Miss Kapa had to be in a sidecar.

Miss Stewart said that Dreamworld later explained that the health and safety restrictions are set by the manufacturers of the rides and there was nothing Dreamworld themselves could do.

Dreamworld Guest Services could not be reached for comment, but on its website it is stated that the rider’s pass is to make visits as simple as possible for people with disabilities.

A representative from New Zealand’s theme park Rainbow’s End explained that even people confined to a wheelchair were able to go on their rides.

“As long as the disabled child or adult is comfortable and has an accompany[ing] adult, there are no restrictions there.”

After the day’s events it was discovered that Dreamworld offered a discounted ticket for people with disabilities and carers, but only for disability card holders, something that is not available to tourists.

“You only really get the discount if you’re Australian . . . we don’t have anything like that in New Zealand,” said Miss Stewart.