Poor Little Disabled Girl

10/02/2023

07/02/2023

Omanu Surf Club

I love the beach, but as a disabled person it can be very difficult to access. My wheelchair, which I use day to day, does not cut it. Luckily, there are wheelchairs that are designed for the sand. Omanu Surf Club has just that.

The wheelchair is low to the ground, so help may be needed to get in and out of the chair. If you need support to get in, the lifeguards are very helpful and can provide it.

The chair is very low weight. The accessway to the beach is a steep ramp that is easy to navigate with one person pushing. A second person may be needed to push up. My partner, who was pushing the chair, said it was easy to push in a straight line, but a bit difficult to steer otherwise.

There are Accessible toilets and showers at the club. The toilets are located next to the club, on a steep hill. Within the toilet block there is a little ramp to get in. The toilet itself is very clean, with lots of room to get around, and easily accessible.

There are a couple of mobility parks very close by.

03/02/2023

Kia ora koutou. My name is Ems. This is a place where I review my experiences as a person who uses a wheelchair. The purpose of this page is to review how accessible businesses are using some of the following criteria:

is there accessible parking
how helpful staff are
are there accessible bathrooms available
how enjoyable I found my experience

I also would like to explain the name of this page. It is intended to be taken as sarcasm. Quite often, members of the disabled community are ostracized for not being 'normal'. I often experience people talking down to me or treating me as a child because I am in a chair. I am often told I am someone's 'inspiration' for getting out of the house, something those in the able bodied community do not have to experience. Yes, I am in a chair, but I can push myself. I am perfectly able to ask for assistance if it is required.
So join me on my journey of rating, reviewing and hopefully pushing the needle on some much needed awareness in my community!