Using Segway at Work: ridiculous stipulation!!

[Segs4Legs]

I wrote a while back that I was trying to get the (national chain) bookstore where I work, to allow me to use the Segway on the job, as I walk nearly the entire shift. (I walk with a cane due to an "undiagnosable version of MS")

Corporate and my boss/store manager and I have been corresponding on the issue for months now. The first said no, then I worte thema along letter explaining why I wanted to use it, how incredibly maneuverable it was, and that I was a responsible adult with a handicap, not a teen looking for a new place to race around. I also explained that the ADA requires an employer to make "reasonable accomodations" to it's disabled employees, AND that an 'assistive device' used by a handicapped person need not be an FDA approved device. All that.

So they came back with a, "Let us look into it, and we'll probably do a trial with it before giving a definitive answer". Fair enough. That was a few weeks ago.

Yesterday i'm called in to the bosses office again. She startes reading me all the detailed stipulations and everything sounded great.

Corporate wanted detailed reports of customers reactions, comments, and problems the Segway encounters, and "incidents" (meaning injuries or accidents) any problems at all. That was all fine. They said a 2 week trial is what they'd do, and they reserved the right to cut that short in the event of any negative problems. That was fine too. So for 10 minutes she read the email to me and I was in full agreement with what they said. After all, I'm doing this not just for ME, but for the advancement of the Segway as well.

And then she came to the last stipulation. She saved it for last on purpose.

THEY WANT ME TO WEAR A HELMET.

This is in a carpeted bookstore. At slow, less-that-walking-speed velocity. By me, a 42 year old housewife.

A HELMET.

I don't even wear a helmet when I go horseback riding.
A helmet is not even required by adult bicycle riders in my state (California)
A helmet is not worn by wheelchair riders.

I said, "I'm sorry, but there is no way I'm going to wear a helmet. None. I'll be GLAD to sign to a waiver should I fall down and split my skull open, that I won't sue. But I refuse to wear one."

Bad enough that attention is drawn to me somewhat becasue of my cane. Should I get to use the Segway at work, even more attention will be drawn to me (which I don't like).. I would feel like an idiot wearing a helmet*, .. like a person who's mentally diabled, who whacks their ead on the wall all day or falls all the time.

So she is going to respond with my statements. They're gonna have to try again on that one. That's REALLY ridiculous.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. This is taking FOREVER. More red tape than is neccessary, but I am trying to work this out for the sake of disbled Segwayists everywhere. I'm hoping it will break some ground, attract a little media attention (though I hate attention!) for the Segway and it's other uses and practical uses.

(*Please note that I am not against the use of a helmet for Segway riders,, but most Segway riders we're tralking about are doing higher speeds, in traffic, on sidewalks, etc. This is in a busy, fairly crowded with shelves books tore, on carpet. We're talking SLOW speeds here. You who use helmets on the street, that makes sense. I don't, but the I'm not even a consistent seat-belt wearer.)

[mrleisure]

Sounds to me like your employer is being exceptionally generous. I'd suggest that you may want to cool down and carefully reconsider your position.

I can't tell, but I think you are saying you can't get a medical doctor to sign off that you are handicapped.

In any case, telling your employer that you ride horses without a helmet doesn't exactly help your cause. Also note that Segway LLC recommends wearing a helmet at all times when riding.

A Segway is specifically not a medical device. I'm suprised they didn't respond that a wheelchair or walker would be fine, but no Segway.

I'll point out that if you don't like the attention using a cane draws, riding around indoors on a Segway is hardly the answer. You will likely be the center of attention to the point of near-total distraction.

If it was me, I'd gladly take the offer and say thank-you. And then if things went well, one day I'd not wear the helmet for a few minutes to test the waters. After a while, I'd not wear it for an hour on slow days. And then eventually, maybe not at all.

It's kind of like boiling a frog. You don't just pitch the frog into boiling water, you put it in cool water and slowly turn up the heat. By the time the frog notices, he's dinner.

[Segway City]

I'd say "Okay, two weeks and then the helmet goes away, along with any other frivolous stipulations." Sometimes you have to give a little to get a little.

And there are two ways to deal with the helmet: get the biggest, most obnoxious looking thing you can find so as to proclaim the absurdity of it, or go buy a subdued equestrian helmet (at their cost!) and get through the two weeks.

Either way, once "reasonable accommodation" is made, they may have performed all that is neccesary, and that may entitle them to additional powers or to terminate you. You may want to go on draft.cc and ask Quad Squad for the "what's next".

[fredkap]

Segs...I think you should use the helmet for the trial period. I agree that it's ridiculous but I get all sorts of people that don't understand the Seg that feel I should be wearing a helmet. Workers comp has cost Calif employers so much money that everyone is worried. There is no way that you can sign off your rights to collect workers comp. During your trial period, we will try to get every local handicapped Seg user in our area to stop by and I guarantee that none of them will be wearing a helmet. E-mail me the mall and we will get all DRAFT members to stop by.

Fred

[chiiskey]

Segs4legs:

What you are trying to do is a good thing for the handicapped community and Segway. Look at it this way your employer is willing to give it a try, with a few minor set backs. It sounds like there concern is for your safety as well. I'm sure they would not like someone coming out of an isle reading a book and have you have to stop suddenly for them possibly causing you to loose your balance and fall against a bookcase or something worse. At this point a little safety will go a long way in helping with your efforts. Hopefully once they see by your efforts how safe the Segway is they will ease up a bit. Educate them well. Good Effort keep it up.

Larry H.

[Stewbonz]

I agree with Mr Leisures approach. Wear the helmet for a while then slowly test the waters. Find out who is in charge of enforcing the helmet law and give them a few rides.
Cooking them a frog may be going a bit far...:)

JEFF JARVIS
http://www.thailandsegwaytours.com/

[SegwayBill]

Wow how lucky is it you get paid to ride a Segway.
Whats the big deal that helmet could save your life. My helmet has contacted hard objects with my head in it twice. If the Helmet is not comfortable wear a hat or cover your hair with a bandana that will keep the helmet from slipping around.
It is not what you wear it is how you wear it.

Bill

[defenbaugh]

Please, please, put the helmet on and do the test. We will all thank you. I will, especially if the store is my favorite and has the initials- b and n. Then maybe we, challenged or not, can all glide there. This would be a first for a national chain to become aware of the advantages of the HT.

Ron
"Literacy requires reading, change requires effort and enlightenment requires courage."

[Montgomery]

I felt the same way about wearing a helmet on my job but sometime you have to play the game with them to get what you need.I have been useing my HT. for about nine month's at work every day. I would be out on sick leave if I could'nt have it.Read what I had to go through to get it Ok by the the Big Boss's IT's on the Draft site under Charles Montgomery.

Segfest 2004 Bound

Seggen Rat[^][^][^]

[Segs4Legs]

Replying first to mrleisure who said, "I can't tell, but I think you are saying you can't get a medical doctor to sign off that you are handicapped." My doctor wrote a note telling them that a Segway would be a useful accomodation for me, along with a chair when needed. I am "officially" handicapped and have the blue hang tag and all.(He's the once who wrote the note for the DMV for that as well) He knows I'm handicapped.

My argument against the helmet is this: [1] wheelchair riders don't need helmets. The device goes so slowly (indoors, remember, between rows of books) that an injury would be almost impossible. [2] The device is self-balancing, hell, it's probably more stable that *I* am, who tends to trip and get dizzy at times. [3] a helmet does not sound like a reasonable accomodation. [4] Wearing a helmet makes the Segway seem kin to a bicycle ot a motorcycle, ,, like it's a dangerous vehicle. I want the Segway to seem just like it is, a rolling person is all. It's just an extension of my body, well it feels as natural as if it was. Wearing the helmet might make shoppers who encounter me feel themselves endangered by a motor vehicle, rather than a harmless standing wheelchair. [5] Part of the reason I would like to use the Segway is to increase my comfort on the job. I hardly think wearing a plastic helmet would do that. I am almost always too hot in that store (and it's not even summer yet) I can't imagine having my head covered. And yes I know many helmets are vented. [6] I had brain surgery years ago and can't stand to wear things other than a light cotton baseball hat or something, on my head. Still irritates the surgery spot. [7] As I said, a helmet is not even required for adult bike riders doing 25 mph in traffic. I hardly think a 2 mph Segway on carpet indoors qualifies for a helmet.

I have already nixed their proposal. I'm waiting to see what response I get. What can they do? They are trying to come up with a "reasonable accomodation" which I already own, which they supposedly know about (so says my boss, meaning they are aware of what the Segway is and is capable of). Also, I told them I did not qualify for purchasing a wheelchair or power chair as I have no diagnosis. (MS has particular requirements for a "real" diagnosis.. I don't pass the qualifications for a real diagnosis, although all the symptoms I have exactly fit the MS pattern. Since I already HAVE the Segway, it makes sense. Plus a wheelchair would be more difficult as I'd have to get up from it to retrieve books from higher shelves, which would just wear me out, up and down, up and down. They don't turn like a Segway, I'd probably have to back in and out of places. Also, I prefer being eye level.

I don't have to sell YOU people on the Segway, you already ride one! It's the bookstore.

I have also suggested that they could get some publicity out of it (much as I hate that stuff) by appearing trend-setting and pioneer for the Segway's use on the job.

I told a few other people I work with about teh helmet stipulation and they all laughed and said what a ridiculous idea... they've all seen me come to work on the Segway (sometimes I commute on it) and they know it does not need a helmet, especially not inside. I don't feel I am being unreasonable at all.. I think THEY are.

I'm just waiting out their answer and I'll go from there. I think they'd be wise to do the 2 week trial, and if I DON'T spilt my head open they can drop the helmet idea. If I DO crack my skull, we can rethink it.

But I am patiently and calmly working with them for the betterment and advancement of the Segway.

Shawnee

[BruceWright]

Shawnee.... I'd say certainly contact DRAFT. They've been helpful in these kinds of situations.

www.draft.cc

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[driley]

I think the requirement for a helmet is ridiculous.

Devin

[ions82]

This is American. Land of the free..... home of the brave. And frivolous lawsuits. It's understandable why the bookstore wants to cover their a**. Yeah. It's ridiculous. But no more ridiculous than some of the reasons people come up with to try and get money they didn't earn. If I were in this situation, I'd have a hard time refraining from being completely cynical. A helmet in a bookstore? Get real. I can't imagine a more calm, safe, quiet working environment.

[jlspencer]

Hi all -

I want to weigh in on this one. I am all for freedoms allowed to us. However, I agree with most here that a helmet is merely a condition and not an issue. I have been on the Segway for nearly two years now and have put it through all sorts of paces. I am an experienced motorcycle rider as well and pretty much have the laws of physics mastered.

I recently gave our management a demonstration and while returning to my building a mere block away, the Seg suddenly quit for no reason. I was cruising at top speed, had half battery life and the stick went dead. That left me forward skidding along the pavement with my bare head leading the way. Sacramento's sidewalks are well known for their sudden elevation changes due to tree root infiltration. My head found one of these and resulted in nine stitches. I wasn't hurt at all (except my pride); no concussion or other injury. Certainly the incident made me realize it doesn't take much to prevent a hospital trip that could have been completely avoided. Don the hardcap!

Jeff

[BruceWright]

Any idea why your Segway suddenly fell?

What software version are you using?

Have you reported this to Segway LLC?

What did they say?

This would seem to be a very severe safety issue. At least as serious as the one that caused the recall. PLEASE follow up on this. I want my Segway to not have this problem.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[Mr_Laurenzano]

OH OH OH put me in the study!!!! ~~~Please~~~~~~~~~
Smart growth communities. IN CALIFORNIA???????
Wheres my helmet?

Hey Jeff ~~~GOT DATA?~~~~

10.0 softwear BOOOOOOOO! 12.0 and Higher YEAAAAAAAAAA!

Rolling.

Segway-
Half the speed of a car,
Twice as Smart.