Kinneret beaches not handicapped accessible
Only one beach on Sea of Galilee provides accessibility to water, depending on its level; survey conducted by Access Israel association raises serious conclusions
Every summer, the Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) beaches make headlines, but not in positive circumstances. A new survey reveals that most of the beaches are inaccessible to handicapped people.
An inquiry conducted in 14 central beaches along Lake Kinneret by Access Israel, a non-profit organization that helps people with physical limitations find the easiest way to get around in Israel, revealed that only three beaches provide convenient access for handicapped people from the parking lot to the beach. Only one of the beaches has a ramp which enables disabled people to reach the water with a wheelchair.
Tzemach beach (Photo: Access Israel)
The beaches were graded according to the following parameters: Handicapped parking spots, convenient access to the beach, an accessible promenade, access to the water, means to enter the water, handicapped restrooms, accessible dressing room and an accessible coffee shop or snack bar.
The grave findings revealed by the survey show that only the Dugit, Levanon and Ganim beaches have convenient access to the beach. But at the Ganim beach, the only one which also provides means to enter the water, this is only made possible when the water level is high enough.
Dressing rooms only partially accessible
This year, for example, the distance from the ramp to the water is about 2 meters (6.562 feet.) A ramp has also been installed at the Tzemach beach, but in order to reach it one must descend four steps.
According to the survey, the Kursi, Tzinbari and Trapez beaches are completely inaccessible.
The survey also revealed that approximately half of the beaches have handicapped restrooms, but the dressing rooms are only partially accessible. Only 29 percent of the beaches offer handicapped parking spots and about 43 percent have an accessible promenade.
The association recently conducted a similar survey in the Mediterranean, which also raised worrying conclusions, according to which 96 percent of the beaches reviewed were found to be inaccessible to handicapped people. Following the survey, the Ashkelon Municipality declared that it would start making its beaches accessible.
Ganim beach
Photo: Access Israel
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