Making Waves: Accessible Beaches in Belgium
Strategies for enhancing beach accessibility for those with limited mobility:
Belgium is taking significant strides towards making its coastline more inclusive for individuals with reduced mobility, with the "Sun, Sea... Carefree" programme leading the charge. Launched by the Flemish agency Inter in 2006, this initiative has been instrumental in providing free beach wheelchairs, including electric and floating amphibian models, to facilitate access and enjoyment of the sea for people with disabilities.
Accessible Beaches in Belgium
One of the most accessible beaches in Belgium is Ostend Beach. Known for its wide, solid pathways that allow wheelchair users to approach the sea easily, it offers adapted facilities such as changing rooms, toilets, and showers, along with reserved parking spaces and access ramps [1][2].
Besides Ostend, seven other beaches along the Belgian coast are part of the accessible facilities network. These beaches offer similar accessibility features [1].
A Tourist Attraction and More
The "Sun, Sea... Carefree" programme in Ostend not only enhances accessibility but also serves as a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from outside the region [1]. Maxim Donck, municipal councillor for accessibility for the city of Ostend, emphasised its appeal, stating, "It's not just about accessibility; it's also a tourist attraction."
Facilities and Services
The facilities provided by the "Sun, Sea... Carefree" programme in Ostend are entirely free for users. In addition to the beach wheelchairs, adapted changing rooms, toilets, and showers are available at each facility. The premises are located close to a tram stop [1].
Adaptations for the North Sea
Bart Parmentier, the founder of Sun, Sea... Carefree, had to adapt solutions to the particularities of the North Sea due to its distance from the coast and rough seas. For instance, a solid pathway has been built on the sand to enable wheelchair users to get closer to the sea [1].
Assistance and Safety
Swimming assistants, like Keiko Schelck in Ostend, are available to help people who have never been to the sea and follow them in the water. Assistants can also push wheelchair users into the sand and accompany them while they swim if necessary [1].
Funding and Future
The service is mainly funded by the municipalities, ensuring that it remains accessible to all. As the programme continues to grow and evolve, it is a testament to Belgium's commitment to providing equal access to leisure and sport for people with disabilities, in line with the stipulations of the 2008 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) [1].
[1] Source: Inter, the Flemish agency for care and social integration.
- With the "Sun, Sea... Carefree" initiative, science and health-and-wellness intersect as Belgium focuses on developing inclusive facilities for individuals with reduced mobility, such as beach wheelchairs and adapted changing rooms, along the coastline, prioritizing health, wellness, and access to leisure activities for all.
- To further promote health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, swimming assistants like Keiko Schelck in Ostend are available to guide and assist individuals who may need help, contributing to a safe and enjoyable exercise environment at accessible beaches in Belgium.
