SWAMPSCOTT — The Commission on Disability is gearing up to unveil two new beach wheelchairs for public use on June 30, in order to help community members with disabilities navigate town beaches more easily.
The program was made possible by the generous support of residents and community partners, according to the press release. The Mobi-Chair, designed to glide over sand and float in water, was donated by Deb Newman and her siblings: David, Jessica, and Bernard. Both chairs will be held in a secure locker at Fisherman’s Beach and will be available to anyone with mobility issues, regardless of residency.
“My parents lived a stone’s throw from Phillips Beach, but as my mother was in a wheelchair for most of their time in Swampscott, she didn’t get to enjoy the ocean,” Newman said. “The Mobi Chair was invented too late for her, but my siblings and I are glad that others can take it for a spin.”
Nikki Puzzo, founder of the nonprofit Stepping Stones for Stella and co-founder of BeFree, donated a child-sized beach buggy. This will offer children the ability to move easily over sand and will help them sit securely in shallow water. The chair is based on a prototype built by Puzzo’s father, Joe Banda.
Stepping Stones for Stella has donated more than 750 buggies to families in need.
Commission on Disabilities Chair Lauren Shrestha elaborated on the group’s efforts to help increase access to the beach for those with mobility issues.
“Swampscott is a beautiful coastal town, and the Swampscott Commission on Disability believes that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy all it has to offer — which includes access to the beach. These beach wheelchairs help bridge the gap in accessibility, making our shoreline more inclusive for all.”
For those interested in using the new wheelchairs, people can reserve them by calling the Swampscott Police Department at 781-595-1111. They are completely free to use, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Users must also provide valid identification, and are encouraged to bring a companion for assistance.
