Beach Access for SCIs Summer is here and traditionally it is the time when individuals and families take vacations to unwind and relax.  There are multiple destinations to choose from, but for many it is usually a pilgrimage to the beach that satisfies their need for a little rest and relaxation. Florida has about 663 miles of beaches.  With such a large amount, it would be impossible for people with disabilities to access the surf at any place they choose.  Luckily, there is information out there that can assist you in finding a beach wheelchair, mat system or an easily accessible area to use your everyday chair. The  Florida State Parks “Access for All” web page offers a list of state parks that provide beach wheelchairs.  Additionally, most municipal and county parks provide beach wheelchairs as well as a few resorts and hotels.  Just check before you head out to your beach destination or ask the hotel staff.   If you are in the market for a beach wheelchair of your own, below are a few manufacturers:

Landeez   -  All terrain and beach wheelchair. Mobi-Chair   -  High quality floating beach wheelchair. HotShot Products   -  Electric and manual all-terrain beach wheelchairs. De-Bug   -  Maker of standard beach wheelchairs and a floating beach wheelchair.  They also make a beach walker and recreation PVC wheels. Hippocampe   -  Lightweight, compact and foldable design.  used wheelchair van denver Sand Rider   -  Light, durable and easy to push or pull.baby shower chair rental in chelsea ma Sofao  -  Adaptive swimming, bathing and flotation chair.where to buy ghost chairs in manila Although a beach wheelchair may be necessary to access the water, there are some other accessibility options to consider if you just want to relax on the shore.  chair hire essex wedding

Below are a few suggestions: Search for a beach with a mat system that sits on top of the sand so an individual can wheel out onto the beach. Discover a beach where you are allowed to park your vehicle on it.  These beaches typically have packed down sand so a manual or power wheelchair can move around more easily.  Areas like Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach provide this type of access.baby booster chair walmart For those who can walk, you may look for a beach that is a short distance from the parking lot to the water.  high chair for sale swanseaAn online map site like Google Maps or MapQuest with a satellite view is a great way to scout the terrain before you go.folding chair online mumbai If you frequent the beach often and use a manual wheelchair, you might want to consider getting wider tires and casters so you do not get bogged down in the sand.  massage chair on rent in mumbai

Adding a device like the FreeWheel to your manual chair could help too.  This eliminates the use of a dedicated beach wheelchair. There are some mat systems that enable you to roll out on the sand.  Options to consider are the Mobi-Mat and Beachrings2 .  Typically, these systems are too cost prohibitive for an individual to purchase and use.  Therefore, the best way to experience a beach mat for access is to head out to the nearest beach that has one available.  swivel chair for fishing boatFlorida has a few beaches that you can access through a mat system.  Below are some locations: Miami Beaches   -  Offers the Mobi-Mat along with manual and power beach wheelchairs. Hollywood Beach  -  Hollywood Beach is the first destination in Florida to offer DEP-approved Mobi-Mat wheelchair access mats, providing convenient access to the beach. Fort Myers   -  On the east end of Sanibel Causeway Island A. 

One last idea might be to vacation at a beach park that is fully accessible for persons with disabilities.  Rish Recreational Park, located on the St. Joseph Peninsula in Northwest Florida provides ramped access to the Gulf of Mexico.  The park has beach cabins, an event hall and olympic size swimming pools that are all accessible.  For more information, visit the Rish Park website or call 850-482-9386. The bottom line is that there are many ways for a wheelchair user to access the beach and enjoy the sun and surf.  It might take a little planning and a bit of patience, but it is summer and beaches are open for business.  So take the plunge and go out and enjoy one of our state’s beautiful and “accessible” beaches.Broward Sea Legs – Bringing Ocean Wheelchairs to our Beaches We are proud of our company’s involvement in the community and many of our agents are actively involved with local and national charities. Every once in a while someone goes above and beyond the call of duty and does something truly noteworthy.

I would like to congratulate Terri and Dave Rittenhouse on their efforts to launch a brand new charity called Broward Sea Legs. What is Broward Sea Legs? Broward Sea Legs is a non-profit association dedicated to bringing ocean wheelchairs to our local beaches in Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and Deerfield Beach. Ocean and beach wheelchairs, like the Mobi-Chair, are specially designed to assist people down to the beach and into the water who would normally not be able to make such a trip.  Now the handicapped, disabled veterans, seniors with mobility issues and anyone else who needs  help going to the beach can do so with an ocean wheelchair. The goal is to make these chairs available free of charge to those in need, but we need your donations to make it a reality. For more information about Broward Sea Legs or to make a donation please visit the association’s web site. You can make a donation through PayPal or by dropping a check at any of the local BB&T banking locations.