The discussion about Segways is interesting but the
orginal question was about a historic house museum.

Late-20th century museums like Air and Space (designed
with access for the disabled in mind, if not in law),
office buildings, buildings designed with grand open
spaces like the US Capitol or modern transportation
systems are not particularly good models for houses
built as personal residences, regardless of the
century they were built.

Unless the owner or a family member happens to be
disabled, private residences in this country are
rarely designed to accomodate special needs. 

So a more apt analogy is whether Segway owners use
them inside their homes?  If so, what have the owners
done to make this possible -- floor coverings,
furniture arrangments, lighting, drapes, accessories,
etc.?  Is this feasible in the historic house?  What
kind/level of noise do they make and is this conducive
to the comfort of other people in the vicinity? 

Historic houses frequently host multiple visitors and
staff working in the buildings -- how does one visitor
on a Segway -in an unfamiliar, older building - impact
the safety of children, seniors, other disabled
people, and various adults who are also in that space.
 Finally, would you permit a visitor to use a Segway
in your house?

Judy Turner
Whitefish Bay, WI


--- David Lewias <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


> Not classified as a "medical devise" but it's
> interesting to read that one 
> disabled used "rode his Segway through the
> Smithsonian Air and Space Museum last 
> week... testified before Congress and been in the
> Senate's office building 
> and never had a problem entering these places with
> his Segway"
> 
> I also thought it was interesting to read, "The
> U.S. Department of 
> Transportation in 2005 directed all transportation
> agencies in the U.S. to transport 
> people with disabilities when they are using a
> Segway as a mobility device."   I 
> wonder what exactly this means?   Does allow people
> to FLY with them?   Take 
> them on Amtrack trains?



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