Demand disabled accommodations on our beaches

As it stands, there is no access for disabled individuals to enjoy the beach in Venice, Florida. There are disabled parking spaces at the beach, but that's as close as many are able to get.

I am disabled, as are many of my friends. We hope to present these petition signatures to City Council to encourage them to consider our proposal for ADA-compliant beaches, and hopefully, to seek a firm to construct ADA-compliant access to our local beach.

The beach should be able to be enjoyed by all, not just the able-bodied individual! Please sign the petition to ask City Council to create ADA-compliant beach access in Venice, FL.

All government offices and buildings, shopping centers, schools, and even restaurants and shops along the beach must be ADA compliant. So why aren't the beaches?

We, the citizens, request that access be afforded to those with disabilities and limited mobility. Please sign the petition to ask City Council to create ADA-compliant beach access in Venice, FL.

Here is a link to a type of mat that can be used as a guideline for construction, it is made out of recycled bottles.

Hello  


My name is Ron Lehner and I am a disabled resident of Venice Florida,  I started this petition so that myself and many of my disabled friends can gain access to our beaches.     


There are beach chairs available, but they are limited and not inclusive for all.   I understand if you are a wheelchair bound person, you have no issues using the wheelchairs for the beach, and you generally have someone available to push you so you can navigate across the sand.  These chairs are also limited in number.


Many disabled, like myself, are not bound to wheelchairs, we use canes, walkers, even crutches, and as such do not have someone available to push us in these chairs, which are not easy to navigate.


I am unable to go to the beach and enjoy it, as the signs state,   'Enjoy the beach" and my 5 year old son has never been to the beach, because of the limited access.


I would like the council to purchase mats that can be placed on the beach that makes the beach access inclusive to all, not just the able-bodied person, or those in wheel chairs.    


The county says they have mats available for use at special events and move them from place to place, this is not acceptable.   If you are able-bodied, you can enjoy the beach any day of the year,  why should we, the disabled, only be allowed to enjoy it on special events?    It is discrimination and against the law.


This petition is full of signatures from residents in and around venice,  as well as those that visit Florida, and bring revenue to Florida.  It is time to make this change, and bring our beaches up to code, as many others across the country, and even across Florida have done so already.


Thank You


Ron Lehner

Update #27 years ago
Some good news: While my beach still doesn't have disabled accommodations, the county just installed Mobi Mats at Siesta Beach, a larger beach to the north! Learn more: http://bit.ly/23mLjFd
Update #17 years ago
Well it is now April and the Venice council has yet to respond to the petition that was submitted to them in November. I requested an update on the status on Dec 30th and was responded to on Jan 4th that no one had responded to the clerk who had emailed the petition to the council members

I followed up again today requesting a response. Seems they don't care
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