Beach access for the disabled to improve at Belmar beaches

It is often no day at the beach for the disabled who want to enjoy a day of sun and fun but have difficulty making their way across long stretches of sand to the water.

Beach access for the disabled was limited for far too long, until federal guidelines contained in the 1992 Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect. Towns constructed ramps from the street or the boardwalk to the beach, which helped people in wheelchairs get to the sand. But it didn't help them get to the water.

Now Belmar is working to improve beach access. The changes will benefit all residents, not just the disabled. Other beach towns should take note and start working to improve access before the summer season begins.

Belmar plans to extend existing wheelchair ramps at beach entrances at Fourth and 10th avenues to the waterline. The longer ramps also will benefit people who have trouble walking because of their age, fitness level or temporary ailment. And the ramp extensions will make life easier for parents with young children in strollers and anyone lugging beach chairs and umbrellas, playpens, coolers and other essential gear onto the sand.

The work at the Fourth Avenue beach entrance also will ease access at the site of popular beach events, such as volleyball tournaments. New beach badge booths are on the way, too. They will feature counters with lower shelves to make transactions more convenient for people in wheelchairs.

Every oceanfront town should work as hard as Belmar to make getting onto the sand a day at the beach.

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