Accessible Shores: Designing Beach Access for All

Due to final exams and end-of-school-year operations, we'll only be running 3 skillbuilders each week. Check back Friday for a new skillbuilder.

This skillbuilder is open for submissions until 11:59 PM PT on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024.

Beaches are popular places for fun and relaxation, but not everyone can easily access them, especially people with disabilities. Many coastal areas lack the facilities and pathways that would allow everyone to enjoy the sand, water, and sun. As a future engineer or urban planner, imagine you are tasked with making beaches more accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities.

Your Task:

1. Identify Barriers: Consider the obstacles that might prevent people with disabilities from accessing and enjoying the beach. Think about the physical layout of beaches, including entry points, surfaces, and amenities.

2. Design Solutions: Brainstorm ideas to overcome these barriers. What pathways, facilities, and services could be introduced to improve accessibility? For example, you might think about specialized wheelchairs for sand, ramps that lead directly to the water, or tactile pathways for the visually impaired.

3. Explain Your Plan: Write a short proposal outlining one major improvement you would implement to make a beach more accessible. Describe how this change would help people with disabilities and detail the positive impacts it could have on the community.