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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND |
Meanwhile, down South we are thinking about summer. Are you beach ready? I’m not talking about getting your body in shape and getting a fake tan. I’m talking about getting your beach ready for everyone.
To feel weightless and experience the total sensory overload of being in the sea is wonderful and healthy for everyone, but especially for those with disabilities.
We have already seen for some time how various cities have endeavoured to become more accessible to all. Buildings have better access – ramps and lifts, rather than stairs, wider doorways and toilets that can accommodate wheelchairs. Footpaths have curb cuts for prams and wheelchairs and to make walking easier for those with other mobility problems. I have been very grateful for those myself all too recently.
Now many holiday spots around the world are working hard to make beaches accessible to those who are wheelchair bound. Take a look at some of the innovations which are being trialled around the world.
Beaches along the coast of the UK for example, are virtually in competition with one another to provide the best wheelchair friendly facilities. Beach buggies with fat tyres are popular as are various types of ramps including a ratchet model that can cope with all kinds of terrain. Here's a list of the best accessible beaches in the UK.
Much less formal and no doubt much cheaper are removable mats. See for example Rockingham, or the Gold Coast in Australia. Tractor tyres work too! Bundaberg is part of the UBEACH project being run in collaboration with the University of Queensland and a number of other community groups, to make more beaches accessible to all.
Looking overseas again, Turkey has a special sea lift which enables people in wheel chairs to get in and out of the water without help. In fact, Turkey has gone to great lengths to cater for disabled people. The beachside city of Antalya for example, has been working to make all places in the city wheelchair accessible since 2003, including its natural areas and even its C13th Castle, which is also suited for visually impaired people and those with hearing difficulties. For other destinations in Turkey click here.
This is part of a European Union- wide initiative to make many more places more accessible and inclusive, which is in fact part of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2008) and ensuring that they have equal access to opportunities, including recreational activities. Click here for a list of other accessible cities related to this scheme. It's not just about getting access to the water. It's also about having accessible hotel rooms and bathrooms and having accessible transport to get there.
Spain, Greece and Egypt are other places which are taking this very seriously.
Egypt’s measures include wider parking spaces that are close by, wheelchair accessible toilets and change rooms, concrete ramps and a bevvy of attendants to help. If you look at this site, you will see the absolute joy it brings to patrons.
As to who has the most facilities, it looks like Cyprus could be the winner with 27 beaches
with either ramps or plastic tunnels and another 21 which are partially
accessible. Several of its beaches have the Seatrac system, which allows users to access the sea unaided. As sportswoman and adaptive surfer Hannah Dines explains, autonomy and independence are important features too. Cyprus also has Floating Wheelchairs free of charge at many of its beaches.
Other Possibilities
Vancouver is using beach mats of various kinds and EZ docks to enable wheelchair users to more easily access and take part in activities such as kayaking or sailing. The EZ docks are a type of flexible decking that can be clipped together in different combinations into which participants can be lowered. Kayakers and canoeists will also appreciate adaptations such as pontoons for greater stability, and specialised seating and paddles, to allow people with limited strength or mobility to enjoy those sports.
If you've always wanted to surf, but were held back by mobility issues, then adaptive surfboards may help. These are sturdier than conventional boards and have additional features such as handles, wedges to stabilise the chest and grippy moulding to keep the legs in position.
Adaptive paddleboards use special seating and straps to allow users to maintain their balance.
Scuba Diving, Water -Skiing and Snorkelling aren't out of the question either, but also require a few additional tweaks.
Adaptive Water Sport Programs
There are also a number of special programs such as Surfabilty in the UK or SurfABLE in Scotland. A list generated by Bing AI about places which offer adaptive sports programs follows, along with some tips about how to find them near you.
- Huntington Beach, California, a.k.a Surf City, USA, one the places where surfing first took offhas adaptive surf programs, tandem surfing and chairboard sessions
- Bartlett Lake in Arizona, USA has water skiing, wakesurfing, kayaking and tubing via Arizona's Adaptive Water Sports Program
- Aspen Snowmass Village, Colorado, USA, has year round adaptive adventure programs for people with physical or cognitive disabilities, including white water rafting, paddle boarding and kayaking.
Here's how to find them in your area:
- Online Search: Use search terms like “adaptive water sports programs near me” or “disability water sports programs” to find local organisations and facilities that offer these services
- Local Charities and Organisations: Look for charities and organisations dedicated to adaptive sports. For example, Access Adventures in the UK offers a range of adaptive sports, including water skiing and wakeboarding.
- Community Centres and Sports Clubs: Many community centres and sports clubs have adaptive sports programs. You can contact them directly to inquire about available options.
- National and Regional Sports Associations: Organisations like the Activity Alliance in the UK provide resources and information on inclusive sports program
- Social Media and Online Communities: Join online communities and social media groups focused on adaptive sports. These platforms can be great for finding recommendations and connecting with others who share similar interests.
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