Western Greece Region Adds Wheelchair-friendly Ramps to 7 Beaches

Still from the special event at the Agios Vasileios beach. Photo source: Western Greece Region.

Seven beaches in Achaia, Peloponnese, recently became wheelchair-friendly, the Western Greece Region announced during a special event held at the Agios Vasileios beach in Rio.

As part of its commitment to making Achaia more accessible for people with disabilities, the regional authority installed seven SEATRAC systems at the beaches of Lakkopetra, Vrachneika, Kastellokampos, Agios Vasileios, Eleonas, Akoli, and Akrata. These systems provide people with mobility problems independent access to the sea.

The ramp installation was welcomed by the Panhellenic Association of Paraplegics Achaia Branch, which said that the new facilities would allow paraplegics and people with disabilities to access Achaia’s beaches.

Still from the special event at the Agios Vasileios beach with Western Greece Governor Nektarios Farmakis on the left. Photo source: @Nektarios Farmakis.

“This is an absolutely positive effort,” the association said in a statement. “The machines installed are new, useful, and functional, and they were installed at the right time, so that paraplegics and people with disabilities in our prefecture could really enjoy the sea.”

The Regional Governor of Western Greece, Nektarios Farmakis, said that the Region was committed to making all public spaces accessible for people with disabilities.

“Western Greece is an inclusive, friendly, and accessible area for everyone,” he said. “We defend, in every way we can, everyone’s right to equal beach access.”

Still from the skin cancer prevention campaign at the Agios Vasileios beach.Photo source: Western Greece Region.

In addition to the installation of the wheelchair-friendly ramps, the Region of Western Greece also held an information campaign on the prevention of skin cancer at the Agios Vasileios beach.

The campaign was organized by the Regional Observatory for Social Inclusion of Western Greece in collaboration with Professor Sofia Georgiou, Director of the Dermatology Clinic of the University of Patras.

During the campaign, bathers were given information on the importance of prevention and the need for annual visits to their dermatologist to check for moles or other skin lesions.