Eight Azorean beach areas will fly this year the "Accessible Beach - Beach for Everyone,” an initiative of the National Institute for Rehabilitation (INR) which is being developed in the Region through an inter-institutional cooperation of various entities, including the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea (SRAM).
Under this joint collaboration, the SRAM promotes the dissemination of the project among the local councils, connecting the submission of applications and coordinating the surveys requested by the INR.
With a strong humanitarian aspect, this project aims to make the Portuguese beaches accessible to disabled people and to raise the awareness of the population for this problem, making all disabled people acquainted with the accessible beaches and promoting them as a holiday destination.
The applications of the municipalities are voluntary and the decision to award the "Accessible Beach - Beach for Everyone” is taken by the INR.
From the eight certified beach areas in the Azores, three are located on São Miguel, three on Terceira, one on Faial and one on Santa Maria. The beach area of Calheta on São Jorge was also certified, but the flag will not be flown given the lack of lifeguards.
The "Accessible Beach" flag will be flying until July 15 in each beach area with certified accessibility.