Spending a day at the beach is a cherished summer tradition for many New Yorkers, especially in popular spots like the Rockaways and Coney Island.
However, for wheelchair users, the joys of the beach come with unique challenges that extend beyond simply packing sunscreen or a sunhat.
Dustin Jones, a disability rights advocate who uses a wheelchair, shares his experiences.
“There’ve been times where I’ve been bored and I’m like, ‘Let’s go to Coney Island,’” said Jones.
Yet he finds himself limited to the boardwalk due to the design of standard wheelchairs.
With wheels that are typically thin, these chairs tend to sink into the sand, making an adventure onto the actual beach quite challenging.
One solution that has surfaced is the beach mat — a flat mat, often in a blue hue, designed to create a path over the sand.
While Jones appreciates these mats for making it easier to navigate, he believes they fall short.
“I’m really happy that they put down the blue tarp, because obviously it makes it easier to manage on the sand,” he explained.
“But it’s not really good enough, because most people want to go to the water.”
Since 2011, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has introduced a limited number of free beachgoing wheelchairs.
These chairs feature wide wheels that allow for easier travel over sand, enabling users to venture further down the shore, even into the water for a refreshing dip.
Despite their advantages, these specialized chairs have a noteworthy limitation: they require someone to push them, and starting this year, users must reserve them in advance online.
So how can wheelchair users reserve a beach wheelchair in New York City?
Beach wheelchairs are available at nearly all city-run beaches, including South Beach, Midland Beach, Orchard Beach, Rockaway Beach, Brighton Beach, Coney Island Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
It’s important to note that Jacob Riis Beach is not included in this offering as it is maintained by the National Parks Service.
From Memorial Day until the Sunday after Labor Day, these chairs can be borrowed daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with each reservation allowing use for up to three hours.
To secure a beach wheelchair, an online request form must be filled out, which encourages users to submit their requests at least 48 hours in advance.
For those who prefer to make reservations through traditional means, calls can be made to 718-885-2275.
When reserving a chair, users need to provide personal details, including their name, address, and a photo of their state ID, alongside the date and desired beach location for use.
Mark Focht, First Deputy Parks Commissioner, stated that the shift to an online reservation system is a response to a notable increase in requests for beach wheelchairs in recent years.
“The new online reservation system will allow Parks to track overall requests more easily throughout the summer months,” he noted in a statement.
For those who might decide to spontaneously head to the beach, there’s a slight chance of acquiring a beach wheelchair without a reservation, albeit with uncertainty.
With only about 20 beach wheelchairs available citywide, and many being relocated based on online requests, it’s wise to plan ahead.
Furthermore, ID is necessary to pick up the chair upon arrival.
“While we encourage patrons to use the reservation system, we endeavor to accommodate all requests,” Focht confirmed.
However, using a beach wheelchair can be complicated for those who might be accompanying small children or in a group of friends — particularly if those friends are also wheelchair users.
Beach wheelchairs can only be operated by someone pushing them; thus, the user cannot self-propel.
This often leaves wheelchair users needing to rely on friends, family, or even strangers for assistance.
“When I go to the beach, I go with my friends who have disabilities who are already using their own equipment,” said Jones.
He expressed concern about how this arrangement can limit the freedom of many beachgoers.
A significant point raised by Jones is the lack of awareness surrounding the availability of beach wheelchairs.
Before reaching out for this article, he admitted that he was unaware of their existence.
“It’s insulting to the community that they claim that they’ve been doing this since 2011 and I’ve never heard of it,” Jones stated.
This feeling of exclusion underscores the necessity for better outreach to ensure that wheelchair users are informed of the accessible resources available to them.
Have you utilized a beach wheelchair before?
How was your experience?
Feel free to reach out to the newsroom at [email protected] to share your story.
image source from：thecity
