Accessibility is a top consideration for Linda Green James and daughter, Suzi Osborne, 47, who uses a wheelchair due to a traumatic brain injury, when planning their holidays. Unfortunately, visiting the beach is not always an option, but thanks to the availability of beach wheelchairs, they can now enjoy it. Beach wheelchairs, such as the ones available for rent or at no charge at many public beaches in America, have chunky, oversize tires that can navigate sand and uneven terrain. The motorized models offer even more independence for disabled beachgoers. According to the 2019 American Housing Survey by the U.S. Census, about 2% of the U.S. population uses a manual wheelchair or a motorized mobility aid, and disabled travellers account for nearly 5% of the $1.2 trillion U.S. travel market.
Increased Demand for Beach Wheelchairs
There is growing demand for beach wheelchairs, thanks to laws, government initiatives, and the increasing number of disabled travellers. It is not only the right thing to do from an ethical standpoint but it has become a huge business opportunity that benefits everyone. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires all state and local governments ‘to give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities.’
Different Types of Beach Wheelchairs
DeBug Mobility Products sells a variety of stainless-steel beach wheelchairs, including a three-wheeled floating model for $2,275, and a standard model with a fixed leg rest for $2,475. The Hippocampe All-Terrain Beach Wheelchair is a manual model that can be propelled by the user and retails for around $4,000. Wheeleez offers kits that convert a street wheelchair into a beach wheelchair at an affordable price. Beach wheelchairs have become an accessibility game-changer that allows wheelchair users the freedom that they never had before.
Finding Accessible Beaches
Accessibility information for beaches is often hard to find, but Sylvia Longmire of ‘Spin the Globe’ has created a list of dozens of Florida beaches with beach wheelchairs. Jennifer Allen from ‘Wonders Within Reach’ has compiled a list of over 50 beaches that provide wheelchairs from New York to Florida. The lack of accessibility to some beaches can still make it difficult for wheelchair users, and while rental options and accessible access points are available, there are still hurdles to overcome. Despite these limitations, beach wheelchairs are changing lives, making beach holidays accessible to more people than ever before.
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