Bidaideak is a disabled people organization developing several programs for impaired people: one of them is the assisted sea-bathing program available until September in beaches of Bilbao, in the Bay of Biscay.

BIDAIDEAK is a Basque organization of people with impairments. This organization carries out several activities and programs; their "active leisure area" ( Hondartza Denontzat in the Basque language) has developed in collaboration with some municipalities, an assisted sea-bathing program since 2003, specially aimed for the severe physically impaired people who can thus enjoy a day on the beach.

The shore of Bizkaia gathers, in its multiple cliffs, little fishing villages. Getxo preserves the so-called 'Puerto Viejo' (Old Port), all the essence of the ocean. From Getxo, moving towards the east, we will find a series of wild cliffs that only rest in order to breathe in sandy beaches until we get to Plentzia, a traditional, old fishing resort that shares beach and promenade with Górliz, a modern council.

Bizkaia's coastline ( 150 km ), just a step away from the city of Bilbao, combines traditional seaside villages, unspoilt beaches, and well preserved natural environments. Bilbao is Spain 's sixth-largest city: new life arrived in this commercial/industrial hub via the astonishing fully accessible Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.

The assisted sea bathing program will be carried out until September the 1st; individuals, disabled associations, day care centres and senior homes can request the service which is available between 11:00am and 19:00pm daily in the following beaches: La Arena beach in Zierbena, Ereaga beach in Getxo, Astondo beach in Gorliz and Isuntza beach in Lekeitio.

The program offers technical aids as well as personal assistance and adapted transport. A total of 12 amphibious beach chairs, four shower chairs and several crutches/canes conform the set of bathing aids. Personal assistance is provided by 16 specialized carers , four in each beach, and three amphi-chairs will be available on each of the beaches.

In addition, Bidaideak is coordinating a special adapted transport service, operating on request basis (ask for the coordinators at the info point in each beach) offered both to individuals and organizations.

Bidaideak
Lehendakari Aguirre, 5-7
Deusto ( Bilbao )
Tel: (+34) 94 476 62 00
Fax: (+34) 94 447 14 71
email: BIDAIDEAK@sarenet.es

Rebecca Arce

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