ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS12) — The Justice Department is taking SeaWorld’s owner to court, claiming a ban on wheeled walkers left some guests with disabilities unable to enter the parks at all.

On Thursday, federal attorneys filed suit against United Parks & Resorts Inc., alleging the company’s policy prohibiting guests from using wheeled walkers with seats, such as rollators, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. The case was brought by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

United Parks & Resorts owns, leases, or operates 12 theme parks and entertainment venues nationwide, including several of Florida’s most visited destinations:

SeaWorld OrlandoBusch Gardens Tampa BayDiscovery Cove OrlandoAquatica Orlando.

According to the lawsuit, the ADA requires public accommodations — including theme parks — to allow people with disabilities to use manually powered mobility aids in areas open to pedestrian traffic. Federal officials say United Parks’ policy flatly bans wheeled walkers with seats, preventing guests with disabilities from accessing large portions of its parks.

Read the full 21-page lawsuit below:

“The ADA requires equal access for people with disabilities, and theme parks such as SeaWorld are no exception,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

The lawsuit stems from complaints filed by people with disabilities who allege they were denied entry or full access to the parks because they relied on wheeled walkers with seats to move safely and rest as needed. Prosecutors say the policy disproportionately affected children, veterans, and others with mobility impairments.

In addition to the ban, the civil complaint alleges United Parks imposed impermissible surcharges by requiring guests with disabilities to rent alternative mobility devices and refused to reasonably modify its policies, practices, or procedures; actions the Justice Department says amount to discrimination under federal law.

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U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, whose office is handling the case in Florida, said the lawsuit reflects a broader effort to enforce disability protections at public attractions throughout the state.

“The ADA requires theme park companies like UPR to provide guests with equal access, regardless of ability,” Kehoe said. “This complaint reinforces our commitment to holding public accommodations in the Middle District of Florida accountable when they engage in disability discrimination.”

Filed in the U.S. District Court in Florida, the lawsuit seeks a court order requiring United Parks to stop enforcing the policy, modify its rules to comply with the ADA, and provide staff training on disability rights. The Justice Department is also seeking monetary damages for people harmed by the policy, as well as civil penalties aimed at deterring future discrimination.

Federal officials urged anyone who believes they were discriminated against at United Parks & Resorts properties — including SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Discovery Cove Orlando, or Aquatica Orlando to file a complaint with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.