Dear colleagues,
Here is some enchanting news from Sao Paulo to expand accessibility to beaches for persons with disabilities. These wheelchairs do not sink into the sand and float in the sea, thus provide a safe and convenient option to wheelchair users to enjoy the beach like their non-disabled counterparts!
The Secretariat of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities signed an agreement with the coastal cities of Sao Paulo to expand the program accessible beach, special wheelchairs that allow disabled and elderly bathing in the sea.
The formalization of the agreement, involving the municipalities of Guaruja, Iguape, Canaanite, Mongaguá, Itanagar, São Sebastião and Ubatuba, will be this Thursday (29).
| Arnaldo Klajn / PMSS |
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| Wheelchair users in the beach in San Sebastian |
The program was launched by the state government in February last year, in Santos and Praia Grande Ilhabela. They were then covered Guaruja, Bertioga and San Sebastian.
It provides for the delivery of amphibious wheelchairs that do not sink into the sand and float in the sea – is a necessary companion to help you.
The chairs are installed at public beaches.To use, the poor need to present it and the companion document, and sign a liability waiver. Monitors are responsible for transferring the disabled person’s own chair to the amphibious and accompany him on the beach.
The government’s promise was to deliver one thousand chairs by 2010, to be distributed to all state beaches. The final number was not disclosed.
The criteria for choosing the beaches are the presence of accessibility issues such as ramps, tactile floor, specific places, accessible restrooms and lifeguard stations.
Note: This the English translation of the news items. Look at the original Post in Portughese at link: http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/1027200-cadeira-de-rodas-que-entra-no-mar-chega-a-mais-5-cidades-de-sp.shtml