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8 | InTouch SUMMER 2023 NEWS ROUNDUP As summer starts to finally roll out around the country, In Touch went searching for resources for our readers on accessible beaches in Aotearoa. The national disability information advisory service, Firstport, owned by Enable New Zealand and funded by the Ministry of Health, has a good guide to accessible beaches in New Zealand, listing where beach wheelchairs designed to be used on sand can be hired, and the beaches which have mats so people with mobility aids can Getting to the beach get to the beach more easily. Beach wheelchair hire is available in six locations around the country, thanks to the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, the Flight Centre Foundation, and Wellington City Council. These are in Wellington, Mount Maunganui, Whakatane, Northland, Taranaki, Christchurch and Dunedin. And Firstport says you can hire them in Auckland too. It says some beaches around the country have beach access mats in use during the summer including Belated congrats, Sandy! We recently learnt that one of our members’ fathers, Sandy Schaare, won the Waikato Community Coach of the Year award last year at the Waikato Sport & Active Recreation Awards 2022. Sandy’s approachable and calm manner has enabled him to grow the Parafed Waikato Club into a Sandy Schaare. in Mount Maunganui, Ohope, and Wellington. You can find all the details at https://firstport.co.nz/ wellbeing/tinana/visiting-accessible- beaches Another excellent guide is Stuff reporter Kimberley Graham’s story on the best accessible beaches in New Zealand, which has a great deal of useful information about both wheelchair accessibility and beach mats. https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/ experiences/beaches/300407683/ the-best-accessible-beaches-in- new-zealand thriving and well-developed space for all its members. From running regular weekly sessions to gaining sponsorship, removing financial barriers and advocating for the club out in the community – Sandy is doing it all! A huge belated congratulations Sandy.