BeachFest2017 launched in Goa for differently abled to take part in water sports

Have you ever thought how those who are differently abled feel about not being able to take a dip and enjoy themselves in the water like the able bodied? Umoja, an online travel platform for accessible travel (www.umoja.in), has announced the launch of #BeachFest2017. To be held in Candolim beach from 31 March 2017 to 9 April 2017, #BeachFest2017 is a novel initiative to provide wheelchair users and their families an opportunity to enjoy a completely accessible experience on the beautiful beaches of Goa.

Wheelchair users can now take part in water sports such as aquatic beach chair, beach bowling, wheelchair cricket, kite flying, sand castle competitions, and wheelchair dancing. Dozens of wheelchair users have already signed up for this event.

Umoja has partnered with Disability Rights Associations of Goa and Adapt for the event along with Drishti Life Services as safety partners.

#BeachFest2017 is an innovative campaign to raise awareness about UMOJA’s online petition to the Goa Government to make at least one beach easily accessible for the differently-abled. Talking about the event, Yeshwant Holkar, co-founder and CEO, UMOJA said, “Enjoying a day at the beach along with family should be possible for everyone irrespective of whether such people are differently-abled. Together with our partners, we are working to turn this into a reality by collaborating with the Government of India and other local partners.”

Frederika Menezes, author and a wheel chair user, was delighted with the intiative. “This novel initiative will strengthen them [wheel chair users> from within towards breaking down societal barriers and reaching their true potential in life.”

Hoping this initiative will be replicated across the state and country, Anuradha Joshi, State Commissioner Disabilities, Government of Goa, said, “We hope this event will serve as a model that can be and our office will fully support any such initiatives.”

Echoing Joshi’s thoughts, Gavin Dias, general manager, GTDC said this is a pilot in the country that is being held in Goa. “BeachFest will act as a pilot to study as to how beaches and the surrounding environment can be made more accessible to differently-abled individuals and their families.”

Pointing out that discrimination in accessing public spaces has been a given for the differently abled, Avelino de Sa, president, Disability Rights Association of Goa, said, “To be differently-abled does not mean differential treatment in terms of access to public spaces. We hope this novel initiative will bring about a societal change towards addressing this important issue."