The question do we need more beach access wheelchairs? may well be asked these days as they seem to be so much in vogue.
I have swum all my life and as a person with disability (PWD) and a swimming enthusiast if feel qualified to answer this question.
Beach wheelchairs are one solution to beach access. They make a bold statement of “we are acting on being more inclusive” but they do not cater for all. Beach wheelchairs are not a one size fits all solution of beach access for PWD.
Let’s look at the mechanics of getting to a beach and into the water and all the steps it takes to actually get from the car park to the water, the beach wheelchair is just one step.
Think about ramps to access the beach. Think about beach matting.
Think about PWD who want to free swim. Beach wheelchairs do not meet these needs.
Beach wheelchairs bob around in the water hence the name beach! In even the calmest conditions they rock and roll with the surge of the tide and waves making it impossible for a person who wants to swim in the water unattended to alight from the chair.
Ask yourself do Paralympians use beach wheelchairs? Do triathletes use beach wheelchairs?
Were PWD actually consulted about what they need to access the water?
We need beach access, workable ramps and beach matting to transition from the car park to the water and back. We want to be as independent as possible; we do not want to take three support workers just so we can get wet and say we had a swim.
My ask is please please consult PWD who have experience in the area of beaches and swimming about what is the best way to assist and what we need. I am available to talk anytime about this to who ever will listen.
Disability is not a homogeneous group. Our diversity is great and our needs can not be met by one size fits all.
Tammy Milne is a deaf interpreter, a community activist in various fields and a person living with Arthrogrophosis Multipex congenita.
