Published June 16, 2020
There’s nothing like the feeling of being enveloped by the cool, sparkling waters of a lake on a sticky summer day. This is a feeling that we should all be able to experience. Beaches are for everyone—including those with physical disabilities.
The truth is, the water doesn’t care about what you look like, how old you are, what your physical abilities are, or anything else for that matter.
The water is just happy that you’re there.
What to know about accessible beaches in Ontario:
What makes a beach accessible?
- Beach-friendly wheelchairs
- Submersible wheelchairs
- Beach access mats or walkway systems
Earlier this year, Swim Drink Fish (the nonprofit behind Great Lakes Guide) became the Canada’s National Operator of the Blue Flag program.
What is a Blue Flag beach? A Blue Flag beach is a beach that is being managed sustainably, is being monitored for water quality, and has high-quality services and safety procedures in effect.
A Blue Flag also tells you that the beach is accessible and inclusive.
Not only are Blue Flag beaches accessible to the elderly and baby buggies, they are also accessible to those with physical disabilities or visual impairments.
Blue Flag beaches feature walkway systems that allow wheelchairs to travel on sand and pebble, amphibious wheelchairs* that allow people to go into the water, and special devices that use a phone app to help guide those who are visually impaired.
*All-terrain (ATV) wheelchairs are able to travel over sand, while buoyant Mobi chairs (also known as “amphibious” chairs or “Hippocampe” chairs) can be submerged in water.
Which beaches in Ontario are accessible?
In Ontario, several beaches have implemented mobimats for wheelchair users, improved accessible boardwalks, and provided all-terrain or amphibious wheelchairs available for use.
- Sandbanks: beach mats and all-terrain wheelchairs
- Wasaga Beach: beach mats, two all-terrain, and two amphibious wheelchairs
- Quetico: beach mats and all-terrain wheelchair
- Bonnechere: beach mats and two amphibious wheelchairs
- Long Point: beach mats
- Rondeau: amphibious wheelchair
- Woodbine Beach: accessible boardwalk and beach mat
- Pancake Bay: all-terrain wheelchairs
- Bell Park Beach: accessible boardwalk and all-terrain wheelchairs
- Sandpoint Beach: amphibious wheelchairs
- Presqu’ile Provincial Park: amphibious wheelchairs
- Main Beach in Port Stanley: hippocampe chairs, cement walkway, mobimats
- Kincardine Beach: mobimats and beach wheelchair
Find a full list of accessible, Blue Flag Beaches in Ontario here.
Check out accessible trails in Ontario here.
Send us pictures of your favourite accessible outdoor space by posting your photos with #greatlakesguide and tagging us @greatlakesguide
