An initiative featuring a floating beach wheelchair especially esigned to enhance beach accessibility for children with special needs, was officially launched yesterday at the Flic-en-Flac public beach to mark World Children’s Day.

Organised by the Beach Authority in collaboration with the Special Education Needs Authority (SENA), this activity aims to reinforce the fundamental right of every child to enjoy the sea, a symbol of Mauritian identity.

Children with special needs from the ‘Fondation Georges Charles’, the ‘Association des Parents pour la Réhabilitation d’Infirmes Moteurs’ (APRIM) and the ‘Association de Parents d’Enfants aux Besoins Spéciaux’ (APBS) experienced adapted access to the sea through the use of floating beach wheelchairs.

On that occasion, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mr Ashok Subron who was present at the launching ceremony, underlined the importance of swimming skills highlighting that many Mauritian children do not know how to swim despite being surrounded by the ocean. He referred to the increasing number of persons living with disabilities and called for updated public policies ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is celebrated on 3 December annually.

The Junior Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mrs Joanna Bérenger, welcomed the initiative and pointed out that denying access to the beach due to a lack of adapted infrastructure constitutes a discrimination. She recalled efforts to advance the rights of persons with disabilities, such as the publication of a Mauritian Sign Language dictionary and ongoing advocacy for access to information for the deaf and hard of hearing.

The Chairman of the Beach Authority, Mr Ananda Rajoo, explained that the floating wheelchairs, acquired at a cost of Rs 7.6 million, are now being deployed as per specific safety recommendations to ensure their proper use. He reaffirmed the Authority’s priority to enhance accessibility across public beaches, including ongoing efforts to re-open access to seven beaches currently limited by private properties and the preparation of a national “Beach Etiquette”.

The Chairman of SENA, Dr Veemen Kalisetty Appadu, highlighted the therapeutic benefits of seawater for children with special needs. On that score, he announced plans to provide swimming training to SENA staff to better support such activities in the future.

The Floating Beach Wheelchair activity will also be available at St Félix, Belle-Mare, and Mont-Choisy. Participation will require prior registration with the Beach Authority to ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place.