SPECIAL swimming areas have been proposed at public beaches for the differently abled people.
The move is aimed at integrating people of determination into society by taking care of their needs in public places.
“I suggested beaches in Budaiya, Jasra and Salman City,” said Northern Municipal councillor Mohammed Al Dossary, who has tabled the proposal.
“The proposal is to provide specific swimming areas for the disabled, based on the technical requirements for people of determination, so that they can freely engage in the activities like the other members of our society.
“They can practise swimming or spend their leisure time if that is their hobby, without any risk of intimidation from anybody.
Mr Al Dossary, who represents the third constituency in the Northern Governorate, was speaking to the GDN on the sidelines of the council’s regular weekly meeting.
The proposal was approved and forwarded to Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Essam Khalaf for further action.
“Providing special services helps the specially-abled people make the best use of their talent,” said Mr Al Dossary.
“It helps in projecting appropriate opportunities that are in line with the nature of the special needs.
“Allocating a site designated for swimming for them (specially challenged) and equipping it with all water safety measures would mean ensuring the rights of people with special needs and equal opportunities for others.
“This is in line with the concepts of ‘inclusiveness’ and ‘leaving no one behind’, the two basic concepts that Bahrain government follows while providing services to the people with special needs in the community.
“The government pays great attention to providing care for the special needs by eliminating barriers to equality and eliminating all forms of discrimination.”
Swimming benefits children and adults with special needs, according to the UK-based National Autism Association.
It cites the US Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention as saying that swimming improves heart and lung health, and helps people with disabilities to maintain a healthy weight.
It also helps improve motor skills and co-ordination, builds muscle strength, and increases flexibility.
Studies also show that swimming reduces pain for people with multiple sclerosis, arthritis and other disorders that cause chronic pain.
Swimming and aquatherapy also help to facilitate healing for those in rehab following an injury, and it also improves mental health.
The GDN reported last month that the Capital Board of Trustees had also put forward a recommendation for public facilities in Bahrain to be structurally equipped to support the physically challenged.
The board discussed the issue as Parliament awaits suggestions and recommendations from the board and three other councils before presenting a proposal in this regard in the house.
MPs are expected to discuss the issue before calling on the government to stipulate specific technical and engineering standards for all locations to meet the needs of the disabled.
This includes public places, places of worship, clubs, parking lots and markets, among others.
Based on feedback from the board and the councils, Parliament is expected make amendments to the concerned law.
However, it remains unclear whether the changes, if approved, will be applied to just new structures or the existing ones as well.
There are 11,850 Bahrainis listed with disabilities, according to a government database.
raji@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))