For Release: July 24, 1997

Contact: Larry Mouradjian 277-2632

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - Marking the seventh anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act July 26, nine more specially-designed all-terrain wheelchairs have been added to the growing fleet at the State's parks and beaches this week, opening up three new areas to increased access by beach goers with disabilities.

A total of 22 surf chairs, equipped with puffy plastic wheels and umbrellas, are now available free of charge at 15 swimming sites operated by the RI Department of Environmental Management, including, for the first time, freshwater sites at the Burlingame Picnic Area in Charlestown, Pulaski Park in Glocester, and Beach Pond in Exeter, and the East Beach saltwater site in Charlestown.

The chairs are designed to roll smoothly over sand that is difficult or impossible for ordinary wheelchair maneuvers, giving disabled beach goers access to the water's edge.

"We bought our first two surf chairs four years ago, and they proved extremely popular from the start," said Frederick Vincent, Acting Director of DEM. "For many people, using those chairs for transport provided their first opportunity to experience the shoreline. Our Scarborough Beach manager tells us of one young man in his late 20's who had not been able to go onto the beach since the age of 14. He now comes to Scarborough often and uses the chair. Another man, a father, stopped at the beach to check out the chair and says that, because of its availability, it will be much easier to bring his disabled child to the beach.

"The beach manager says the response and use of the chair has been an eye-opening and heartwarming experience for him," Vincent added.

Last year DEM purchased 11 more chairs with funds provided by the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, and the Commission provided funds for the nine additional chairs this summer. Bob Cooper, Executive Secretary of the Commission, said, "We are very happy to be able to assist DEM in buying and expanding the availability of the surf chairs. Placing some at freshwater sites expands the options of vacationers with disabilities, some of whom prefer freshwater areas.

"The chairs are of such interest and usefulness that the State's Economic Development Corporation tourism division is including information about them in tourist information packages," Cooper said. And, he added, other states are taking notice. "We lent a chair to New Hampshire officials for a demonstration to their legislature in May to show what was happening in New England."

The chairs are available on a first-come first-serve basis at the following state beaches and parks: Misquamicut in Westerly (two chairs); East Beach in Charlestown (one chair); Charlestown Breachway (one chair); East Matunuck in South Kingstown (two chairs); Salty Brine in Narragansett (one chair); Roger Wheeler in Narragansett (three chairs); Scarborough South in Narragansett (two chairs); Scarborough North in Narragansett (three chairs); Fort Adams in Newport (one chair); Goddard in Warwick (one chair); Lincoln Woods (one chair); World War II in Woonsocket (one chair); Burlingame in Charlestown (one chair); Pulaski in Glocester (one chair); and Beach Pond in Exeter (one chair.)

Beachgoers can request the use of a surf chair upon arriving at the park or beach entrance booth. DEM staff will be available to help push the patron and chair to the appropriate location near the water. Chairs cannot be used in water deeper than six inches. Depending on the demand for the chairs, patrons can use the surf chairs for anywhere from two hours to all day.