CHENNAI: Nikkin does not like the sand on his feet, mostly because he is not used to it. However, it was a small price to pay for getting to wet his feet in the water. It is only his second time in two years at the Marina beach.
For many persons with disabilities in the city, a visit to the beach is a luxury reserved once a year.
In association with Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), Vidya Sagar, an organisation that works with people with disabilities, set up a temporary accessible pathway across the Marina beach, to mark the World Disability Day on Sunday.
Said Pavithra (29) who interns with Vidyasagar’s Disability Legislation Unit, “When I was young I would visit the beach often and would participate in turtle walks. As I grew older, it became more difficult for everyone around me to bring me here; it takes at least four to five people to manoeuvre my wheelchair.”
It was the second time that the initiative had been taken with the cooperation of GCC. Around 250 students and alumni of Vidya Sagar centre for special education and students from other special schools, lined up at the beach for a chance to play in the water.
Said Smitha Sadasivan, member, Disability Rights Alliance, “ The preparations are better than the last year. The corporation authorities got our feedback of last year’s experience and they took steps this time.”
While people with disabilities tried their best to make up for lost time at the beach, activists sought a permanent solution to help them access the beach.
According to Ummul Khair, member, Disability Legislation Unit, Vidya Sagar, GCC had promised to build a semi-permanent structure for people with reduced mobility. However, the proposal is awaiting approval of State tourism department.