I've worked security at many different venues from small shows to large festivals and I can tell you that pretty much any person that wants to be disabled/handicapped/etc can be, all they need to do is say they are, or if required, they just need to ask for the little blue badge at the proper place... NOONE, is allowed to ask them what their condition is or to prove it because everyone's right to privacy when it comes to any medical condition is protected under numerous laws like HIPPA, etc...
Many conditions are plain and simple to see, but many are not... Not only that, but when some is claiming the status, anyone accompanying them is also considered eligible for the same accommodations... And there is no way of even ranking the disability to make it fair...
I've had to let a drunken couple with a screaming woman claiming to have severe PTSD from domestic abuse sit in the front row of an elevate ADA seating area at a festival as well as both parents of child in a wheelchair to sit beside him instead of standing on the other side of the railing next to him, while forcing many people, including a US Marine who lost a leg and an eye to an IED, to stand during that same show (and we had to remove a trash can to make room for the disabled Marine)... And I can tell you countless numerous stories just like that...
So yeah, anyone that wants to claim the seats is welcome to them, if you do, just make sure they're actually seats or you'll be standing there the whole show like a dork, cause ain't nobody getting you a chair...

Per ADA guidelines:

If venues permit patrons to give or sell their tickets to others, the same right must be extended to patrons with disabilities who hold tickets for accessible seats and to persons with disabilities who intend to buy or receive tickets on the secondary ticket market. An individual with a disability who has a ticket for an accessible seat may transfer it to anyone, including someone who does not have a disability. Venues cannot require that accessible seats only be transferred to someone with a disability.

sometimes they aren't actually seats, but space for a wheelchair.

Anonymous wrote:This thread is 3 years old, yall

Still relevant discussion.

This thread is 3 years old, yall

Anonymous wrote:Most of the time I see those seats being used by severely obese people not those in wheelchairs or with canes/walkers.

And yes, yes, I know that not all disabilities are visible... but not all disabilities also include a 300+ weight, either.

Jesus. Maybe they are disabled because they are fat OR maybe they are fat because they are disabled. Being disabled sucks in so many large and small ways that you can’t even imagine. So many things one cannot do or see or participate in. Sure maybe someone is just a glutton but maybe life has dealt then a hard hand. Don’t be so selfish!

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's illegal but there is certainly a chance you may be accused of being a douche for sitting in handicapped seats. Being in DC, you should already be comfortable with that risk.

And this is a good time to put out that reminder that NOT every handicap is a visible handicap.

My dad and I get some questionable looks when we are in the handicap seats at Nats park because he has no visible handicap. His is heart related.

Also, FWIW, no one who works at the park has ever questioned why we were in those seats. They check the tickets to make sure those are our correct seats and that's it. No questions asked.

I thought "semi-ambulatory" seats are not actual seats but space for individual with wheelchairs? Seems like I got it wrong. So, these are actual seats but just designated for disabled individuals?

No, do not believe for a second sitting in these seats is ethical, you are crossing the line. Only a few tickets for people who struggle walking, especially down or up stairs. What you're doing is wrong, unless the Venue says yes, but they won't imo. Called Disability rights, Federal Law.

Same for Disability parking spots, never park in one. The disabled person may need, and you are in the way. Just because one is lazy or in a hurry. Do not park in Disability. Please, Do Not leave your empty grocery carts in the disability parking spots either. Disability people need all the help they can get, thus help, not hinder. What has happened to American Ethics?

"Semi-ambulatory means a person who is able to walk with difficulty or only with the assistance of an aid such as crutches, cane, or walker."

Patients who don't look disabled may be worse off than the eye may see, for example patients with MS look normal. Don't jump to conclusions you could be WRONG!
However MS paralyzes the legs of MS patients (one or both legs), some may walk without help, but each step is a reminder they are on borrowed time. Also, many patients need a closer bathroom to their seats, hence they struggle walking. Try walking or driving when your legs are numb from a problem, not fun at all, awful. 24/7 reminder of problems.

Anonymous wrote:We bought semi ambulatory seats at George Mason. My mother in law has trouble walking and can’t do many stairs. But they are real seats and usually off to the side. Different from the block of seats with a gap or at the rail for wheelchairs.

This. We buy them because my mother in law has Parkinson’s and falls down stairs. She can walk and these are not wheelchair accessible seats. But they are on the same floor as the entrance - no stairs.

Most of the time I see those seats being used by severely obese people not those in wheelchairs or with canes/walkers.

And yes, yes, I know that not all disabilities are visible... but not all disabilities also include a 300+ weight, either.

Please don't do this at the movies. We have to get the usher so many times to get people to move so that we can sit together as a family. And it's unbelievable how resentful people are.

I used these seats at George Mason after knee surgery. Crutches. And immobilizer for six weeks. Fortunately short term, but I couldn’t bend the knee. I had to jump though hoops to get the seating. There were 4 of us, and I could only sit with one other person. I needed a doctors note and had to report to guest services to be seated. Etc.

We watched the new Joker movie from nosebleed seats because the theater believed they HAD to legally leave all the disability access seats open and unsold just in case six disabled people decided to go to a late showing of Joker. Pretty sure that is neither the letter nor intent of the law.