Filipino-American Jessica Cox, 33, is a licensed pilot, holds a third degree black belt in the American Taekwondo Association after 23 years of training, and is a certified SCUBA diver. However, Cox was barred from the rides at Universal Studios during a recent visit. Instead, she was given a pamphlet on the park’s riding policy, which states a rider must be able to “continuously grasp with at least one upper natural extremity.”
She wasn’t even allowed to go on the childrens’ rides, as some do not have seatbelts. Instead, the park refunded her ticket.
Although Cox can drive an unmodified car with an unrestricted license, type on a keyboard at 25 words per minute, pump her own gas, and put in and remove her own contact lenses, she was born without arms due to a rare birth defect.
A motivational speaker and tireless advocate for disability rights, Cox has filed an administrative action against park officials. She reports she grew up on roller coasters, and that other theme parks have approached the issue rationally.
“I feel it’s wrong that I can’t ride the rides,” she said in a video on her Facebook page. “But more specifically, I feel it is discriminatory that the manufacturer’s restrictions are so broad and not specific.”
It turns out service dogs are allowed on a number of rides, including the Twirl n Hurl (Universal’s green/blue equivalent to Dumbo) that Jessica was barred from.
A full list of rides that bar Jessica from riding but allow service animals includes:
1. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
2. Transformers: The Ride-3D
3. Disaster!
4. Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ’n’ Hurl
5. The Simpsons Ride
6. E.T. Adventure
7. The Cat in the Hat
8. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
9. Caro-Seuss-el
10. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
11. Storm Force Accelatron
12. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Maintaining an admirable sense of humor, Cox discussed filing paperwork for the suit.
“My doctor just finished filling out some paperwork for my complaint with Universal,” she said. “According to him, I have trouble with: fixing hair.”
Universal Studios officials declined to comment, saying they do not discuss litigation.
Fox in Taekwondo action (0:47 mark)
