Take to the open seas with our beach and swimming wheelchairs
Handicap Accès is one of France’s leading suppliers of boat launching systems for people with reduced mobility and disabilities. Our beach and yachting world lists quality equipment for beach access, including bathing chairs and PRM access mats. Every year, many people with reduced mobility or disabilities are unable to access the beaches due to the unsuitability of traditional equipment. At Handicap Accès, we are determined to change this reality. Our beach and bathing wheelchairs are designed to improve accessibility and enable everyone to enjoy the beach to the full.
BEACH AND BATHING FOR PRMS : AN INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE.
Spending time on the beach with family or friends is always a great time to share and enjoy. Whether it’s the pleasure of a swim in the sea or a lake, water games with friends or simply a relaxing afternoon on the beach, these moments are synonymous with holidays and freedom. Unfortunately, for many people with reduced mobility and disabilities, these simple and enjoyable moments can be complicated by the often difficult conditions of access to the beaches. The equipment offered by Handicap Accès is designed to facilitate these access conditions by providing beach and bathing chairs for the disabled.
Our beach wheelchairs have been specially designed to provide PRM access to sandy beaches and other soft ground thanks to their unique features. These wheelchairs are fitted with wheels suitable for sand (balloon wheels, double wheels, plate wheels) so they can be moved easily on the beach without sinking. What’s more, some models have been designed to float on water, giving users the chance to swim and play water games.
BEACH AND BATHING WHEELCHAIRS ADAPTED TO YOUR NEEDS
At Handicap Accès, we are committed to providing beach and swimming wheelchairs adapted to your needs. We offer a selection of quality products, some of which are made in France and recognised internationally.
The Hippocampe is an all-terrain, amphibious wheelchair, made in France, which makes it easier to get to the beach, lakes and swimming. It is particularly appreciated for its ability to run on sand and other loose surfaces. Its many options, including balloon wheels, headrest and harness, make this wheelchair adaptable to different types of physical disability. It can be dismantled for easy storage in the boot of a car.
The TIRALO, also made in France, is particularly popular for swimming. Its floats ensure the buoyancy of the beach chair, allowing users to enjoy the sea or lakes in complete safety. Its large size also makes it an excellent deckchair for relaxing and soaking up the sun. Please note that an accompanying person is required to use the TIRALO.
The SOLEMARE and SAND&SEA are two wheelchairs designed to provide independent or assisted PRM access to the beach and swimming. The SOLEMARE is easy to fold and can be stored quickly after use, while the SAND&SEA can be dismantled.
The JOB wheelchair is an economical solution for those looking for PRM access to the beach and swimming pool. The seat height is relatively low, at around 30 cm. This armchair is ideal as a beach lounger and for access to the pool. It must be used with the help of an assistant. It must be used with the help of an assistant.
Finally, the Waterwheels and SOFAO are two bathing chairs with floats. Although a little bulky, they are easier to fold and store than the TIRALO, offering a more compact solution for transport.
PRM ACCESS TO BEACHES : A MAJOR CHALLENGE
Despite the progress made over the last two decades, many beaches in France are still inaccessible to people with reduced mobility and disabilities. Under the 2005 law on equal rights and opportunities, beaches are not required to be accessible, as they are not classified as either Public Reception Establishments (Etablissements Recevant du Public – ERP) or Public Access Facilities (Installations Ouvertes au Public – IOP). In this context, labels such as Handiplage and Tourisme et Handicap have been created to inform users about accessible beaches and tourist attractions.
Of the 2,600 beaches in France, only 10% have been made accessible to people with reduced mobility and disabilities over the last twenty years. The Handiplage label was created to make it easier to locate these beaches. Beaches that have been awarded this label are equipped not only to accommodate people with motor, visual, hearing or mental disabilities, but also those whose movements require special attention, such as the the elderly, the young children with pushchairs, people of small stature, the pregnant women, etc.
What’s more, leisure activities such as surfing and paddle boarding have become more accessible in recent years. However, these activities require beaches with access to the water. C’est dans ce contexte que nos fauteuils roulants de plage trouvent aussi leur intérêt et permettent de profiter de ces loisirs aquatiques.