Sea and Japan Project Public Relations Office
Barrier-free beach event in Marine Park Nezugaseki VOL2. was held! Tuesday, August 27, 2024 [Location] Marine Park Nezugaseki
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The Dream Yamagata Satoyama Project will hold a “Barrier-Free Beach Event in Marine Park Nezugaseki” in Nezugaseki, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture on August 27th (Tuesday) to raise awareness of the coexistence of people with disabilities and able-bodied people. Gaseki VOL2.” was held.
This event is part of the Nippon Foundation’s “Ocean and Japan Project,” which connects people through the ocean in order to pass on the rich and beautiful ocean to the next generation.
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Event overview
・Event overview: A universal beach festival where people with disabilities and able-bodied people can enjoy the sea together and experience marine activities.
・Date and time: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
・Venue: Nezugaseki Marine Park, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture ・Number of participants: 67 people (31 facility users with
disabilities, 9 family members, 11 facility staff members, 3 general beachgoers from one family, 13 management staff)
・Participating facilities: NPO Pocket Peace Forest, Sakuranbo Kyoseikai, NPO Laughful
Participants are eager to play in the sea, but there are many preparations to make before that!
Participants first receive instruction on how to put on life jackets, and then are assisted by facility staff and family members in putting them on. All the participants were looking forward to getting into the sea and couldn’t wait. Before that, warm up! I worked out properly and enjoyed my own activities.
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Let’s go to the sea! A marine activity experience that will turn your worried face into a smile
I timidly boarded Big Sap in my wheelchair, and on the way back I was all smiles! To all the consecutive participants.
The staff members are also energized by their smiles and happy voices. The Beach Star (right) is an amphibious wheelchair that allows you to get off your wheelchair, transfer to it, and go directly into the ocean.
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Feedback from participating children and parents
Person with a disability (female): “It’s my first time in my life! At first I was scared to ride the Big Sapp in a wheelchair, but it was fun – it was great, thank you.”
Family: “I was so happy when my son got out of his wheelchair and went into the sea at Beach Star and said, “It’s cold.” It seemed like he was feeling the sea, and I was so moved! ”
Staff: “I’m grateful to all the staff for the many things I couldn’t experience at the facility.”
-Organization overview-
Organization name: General Incorporated Association Dream Yamagata Satoyama Project
URL: https://www.dysp.org
Activities: The group works together to carry out regional
revitalization and social contribution projects based on the concept that by leveraging the characteristics of each member group and working together, greater projects can be achieved. As an affiliated organization, we have a voluntary organization called Satoyama Network Yamagata, which is expanding the circle of our activities. We also participate in activities aimed at creating a decarbonized society, and are expanding our activities not only through the Dream Yamagata Satoyama Project, but also within the Yamagata Prefecture Eco Cup Project through individual members’ environmental conservation activities.
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