Bill Text: NJ SR117 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Encourages accessible beaches for people with disabilities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-05-15 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [SR117 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SR117-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Encourages accessible beaches for people with disabilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution encouraging coastal municipalities to adopt practices to make beaches more accessible for people with disabilities.
Whereas, The State of New Jersey's world-renowned beaches draw millions of people every year, and the State is committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors have access to New Jersey's natural beauty; and
Whereas, For people with disabilities, beach recreation can present unique challenges, as sand and water can be particularly difficult for people with mobility impairments to navigate; and
Whereas, In response to this problem, New Jersey's municipalities have invested in programs and resources that better accommodate people with disabilities and ensure that every visitor has access to the beaches of this State; and
Whereas, Public surf chairs which provide an easy way to navigate both the sand and the ocean, accessibility mats which allow people with mobility limitations to bring a wheelchair close to the water, and designated parking spaces all provide ways for people with disabilities to enjoy New Jersey's beaches and boardwalks; and
Whereas, New Jersey's municipalities have been at the forefront of adopting practices that make beaches a more welcoming place for people with disabilities; and
Whereas, Every coastal county in New Jersey and many individual municipalities have published accessible beach guides so that people with disabilities can better plan their visits by knowing which access points have disability resources; and
Whereas, It is not only a moral responsibility to provide access to one of the State's most iconic resources to people with disabilities, but it is also a way to encourage people with disabilities and their families to spend time at the New Jersey Shore; and
Whereas, Many initiatives to encourage beach accessibility started at the municipal level, and the New Jersey Senate supports and recognizes the continued efforts to provide recreation for citizens with disabilities; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for this House to recognize the efforts of New Jersey's coastal municipalities to make this State more welcoming for people with disabilities, and encourages municipalities to continue to seek ways to improve beach access; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House encourages coastal municipalities to continue to invest in programs that make their beaches accessible to people with disabilities.
2. This House encourages coastal municipalities to reach the goal of providing accessible resources at 25 percent of their beaches by 2020.
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the New Jersey League of Municipalities.
STATEMENT
This resolution recognizes the efforts of New Jersey's coastal municipalities to improve beach resources for people with disabilities, encourages municipalities to continue to make their beaches accessible for all visitors, and encourages municipalities to provide accessible resources at 25 percent of their beaches by 2020.
Every year, New Jersey's world-class beaches draw millions of visitors from across the country. Beach recreation provides the opportunity for people from all backgrounds to enjoy New Jersey's natural beauty, however, beaches present unique challenges for people with disabilities. It is difficult to navigate sand and water with a mobility impairment, and some beaches do not offer accessible resources for people who require accommodations. This can make beaches an unwelcoming place for people with disabilities, when the State's most iconic natural feature should be open and available to every visitor.
New Jersey's municipalities have many different resources available to assist people with disabilities visiting the shoreline. Many municipal beaches offer public surf chairs to people with mobility impairments, which are similar to wheelchairs, but have large inflatable tires and a PVC frame to navigate both sand and water. Municipalities have also expanded their accessible parking spaces and have installed accessibility mats which sit on top of the sand and allow people using wheel chairs to approach the water. Additionally, every county on the Atlantic Coast has released an accessibility guide so that people with disabilities will know beforehand where to find the resources they may need. These measures demonstrate New Jersey's commitment to accessibility and ensure that people with disabilities and their families are encouraged to visit New Jersey's beaches.
The majority of the initiatives to make New Jersey's beaches more open have started at the municipal level, and the Senate wishes to commend this effort. The New Jersey Senate is proud to have so many resources for people with disabilities and encourages municipalities along the entire coast to continue their work to make beaches a welcoming place for every visitor.
