How Access For All started -
Beach Access is challenging for many people at the best of times. There is so much to think about - where is there disabled parking, can I get down to the beach, what if I need a beach wheelchair and what if I need to use an accessible toilet? My name is Nicki & I live in Braunton and this is the case for my family. Our teenager is disabled and a full time wheelchair user. When he was little it was easy as we could lift him onto the beach and we could change him in the boot of the car. When our son started adaptive surfing with The Wave Project 4 years ago, he was still small and so I didn’t really think about it. But now he’s a young adult and things have changed. He can’t lay in our car boot, he can’t fit in the tiny disabled toilets (some don’t even have toilet seats) or fit in a standard changing room. So we have to try and get him out of a wetsuit (not easy for anyone) in a beach wheelchair, in front of everyone and its just not very dignified. And if he needed the toilet we would be in big trouble. So we scoop him up wet and sandy, into the car wrapped in a Dryrobe and drive home. This got me thinking, in 2021 is it right that disabled people are kept from our beaches because the challenges they face are too stressful.....no its not! It’s time for change, wouldn’t it be fabulous if North Devon became the best place to come to a beach that’s fully inclusive. To have decent size parking spaces, decent access to the beach, beach wheelchairs at all the beaches (please note some of our beaches like Saunton Sands already have beach wheelchairs to hire) and ‘Changing Places’ toilet facilities. My dream is for us to work with the beach owners and council, see what is already in place and what could be improved. I am realistic, some locations are just too tricky to make completely accessible....that’s the natural coastline for you. But let’s make North Devon beaches accessible and enjoyable for ALL who wish to enjoy them.
*This page will be updated as the campaign progresses*
