A taste of Spanish inclusion on the beach
8 June, 2022The ‘Unleash your emotions’ project seeks to offer groups of people with different disabilities a day filled with Sports activities and beach-based leisure through the development of special, open-air days out on Playa de Las Canteras in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The project also seeks to encourage the expression of positive feelings and emotions using a natural space which is iconic and renowned in the city.
The initiative, which is run in partnership with The Spanish Red Cross (La Cruz Roja), will run until July 2022 and is expected to host 50 participants. The project’s activities are designed to create an environment where participants can break from their daily routine, play sports on the beach and discover the marine environments enjoyed on the Bahía de El Confital thanks to the use of drone technology.
The City Council has expressed its support for the initiative and stated that it considers it essential. “It’s the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that people from these communities and associations have been able to take part in open-air activities on the beach and we must get involved and ensure that our beaches are accessible and inclusive as a matter of public policy”.
According to data provided by the Spanish Centre for Documenting Disability (Centro Español de Documentación sobre Discapacidad), up to 76.4% of people living with disabilities have stated a loss in quality of life, while 74.1% feel that they have become less independent. Are “Unleash your emotions” style experiences going to be extended to groups of international visitors? We think that’s a very real possibility.