3rd Annual REACH THE BEACH 2019
Going to the beach for the pleasure of enjoying the lap of waves on one’s feet is one of life’s simplest pleasures, and yet it is out of reach for lakhs of differently-abled people. Driven by the need to make it inclusive for all, RAINDROPSS, a renowned youth based social organization widely popular in delivering social awareness messages to the public through entertainment and media, have recently laid a temporary ramp on Elliot’s Beach in the city, for persons with disabilities to reach the shore.
Organised by Raindropss inassociation with Velammal Educational Trust and Tamilnadu Udhavikram Differently abled welfare association, this initiative was to spread awareness on inclusion and making public spaces accessible for people with disabilities. It was a heart-warming sight when the organizers and volunteers of Raindropss gathered to assemble a makeshift, temporary ramp with carpet welcome to enable people on wheelchairs to reach the shore. They used interconnecting plates on the sand, positioned in such a way as to make movement of the wheelchair easy. Marking the Christmas celebrations, 25 Volunteers of Raindropss were dressed like Santa Clauses and the led the initiative and pushed the wheelchairs to the beach, other support organizations also helped keep this make-shift pathway in place, whenever conditions turned windy.
‘The observance of the Day aims to promote “Together a better world for all”, an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Millions of persons with disabilities across the globe have great difficulty finding accessible accommodation while travelling. It is a dream of every differently-abled person: visit the beach to leave a trail on the wet sand and let the frothy waves lap at their legs. But for many, it remains unfulfilled as nothing is more difficult than wading through the sand in a wheelchair or walking on crutches. We wanted to make the dream of every differently-abled person come true, we believe this initiative has made them happy and they will cherish these memories.
Actor Sarathkumar, Chairman of VGP Groups VG Santhosam, Exnora Chairman M B Nirmal, Organic Scientist Sultan Ahmed Ismail, Houston Tamil Studies Chair President Sam Kannapan, Playback Singer Velmurugan, State President of Tamil Nadu Udavikaram Differently Abled Welfare Association TAP. Varadakutti and many others participated and supported this noble initiative, commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) and shared their Christmas greetings.