Corfu first in country in special needs beach accessibility
special needs
22 Jul 2022
/ 21:20
CORFU. Beach accessibility for all with seatrack systems and amphibious wheelchairs. Municipalities and the Region join forces for a good cause.
The three Corfu Municipalities and the Ionian Islands Region support the right of free beach accessibility for all, making the island's beaches the most special needs-friendly in Greece.
The seatrack systems and amphibious wheelchairs have been included in the island's beaches in recent years, thus further enhancing its tourist product. According to the Deputy Mayor for Social Policy Andreas Skoupouras for the first time this year, the Central Corfu Municipality has five seatrack systems available instead of the three it had last year.
The first three had been installed in May on the beaches of Dassia, Ipsos and at NAOK, recently in Paleokastritsa and today in Gouvia. "The seatrack systems are being used daily. They are both for people with mobility problems and for elderly people who have difficulty accessing the sea", Mr. Skoupouras told Enimerosi, noting that an audio system has been installed at NAOK for the visually challenged in order to make the sea accessible to them as well.
First in the country
According to Mr. Skoupouras, the Central Corfu Municipality is the first in the whole country in accessible beaches with seatrack systems along with the one owned by the Regional Authority in Benitses. As he points out, these are autonomous installations with a specially designed seat, which can move in and out of the water.
The 15 amphibious wheelchairs of the Corfu Regional Special Needs Association are also available to those who need them.
The Ionian Islands Region
The network of accessible beaches for those with mobility problems or special needs is being expanded following the Ionian Islands Region's actions to include areas of both North and South Corfu. The Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa recently signed the contracts with the other two municipalities in order to install four brand new systems for the summer.
These systems will be installed at Roda, Agios Spyridon Perithia, Agios Ioannis Peristeron and Moraitika. “The beaches on which they can be placed must have some certain specifications, such as being close to a road and the sea must be quite calm for the users' safety.
We have also asked that the devices be connected to water, so that users can take a shower,” the Deputy Regional Governor Melita Andrioti told Enimerosi. The four new seatrack systems cost €32,240.
It is worth noting that apart from the four new seatrack systems, the system owned by the Ionan Islands Region at the Benitses beach will also be reinstalled.
The seatrack systems and amphibious wheelchairs have been included in the island's beaches in recent years, thus further enhancing its tourist product. According to the Deputy Mayor for Social Policy Andreas Skoupouras for the first time this year, the Central Corfu Municipality has five seatrack systems available instead of the three it had last year.
The first three had been installed in May on the beaches of Dassia, Ipsos and at NAOK, recently in Paleokastritsa and today in Gouvia. "The seatrack systems are being used daily. They are both for people with mobility problems and for elderly people who have difficulty accessing the sea", Mr. Skoupouras told Enimerosi, noting that an audio system has been installed at NAOK for the visually challenged in order to make the sea accessible to them as well.
First in the country
According to Mr. Skoupouras, the Central Corfu Municipality is the first in the whole country in accessible beaches with seatrack systems along with the one owned by the Regional Authority in Benitses. As he points out, these are autonomous installations with a specially designed seat, which can move in and out of the water.
The 15 amphibious wheelchairs of the Corfu Regional Special Needs Association are also available to those who need them.
The Ionian Islands Region
The network of accessible beaches for those with mobility problems or special needs is being expanded following the Ionian Islands Region's actions to include areas of both North and South Corfu. The Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa recently signed the contracts with the other two municipalities in order to install four brand new systems for the summer.
These systems will be installed at Roda, Agios Spyridon Perithia, Agios Ioannis Peristeron and Moraitika. “The beaches on which they can be placed must have some certain specifications, such as being close to a road and the sea must be quite calm for the users' safety.
We have also asked that the devices be connected to water, so that users can take a shower,” the Deputy Regional Governor Melita Andrioti told Enimerosi. The four new seatrack systems cost €32,240.
It is worth noting that apart from the four new seatrack systems, the system owned by the Ionan Islands Region at the Benitses beach will also be reinstalled.
