Draft bill 298.

Summary.

Article 1 proposes adding a provision to Law 42 of 1999 to ensure equitable and safe access to public beaches and bathing areas for persons with disabilities. It links that access to social inclusion and full participation in recreational activities on equal terms with the rest of the population. The proposal thus addresses accessibility and safety in natural recreational spaces through an amendment to the law on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Article 2 would insert Article 31-A into Law 42 of 1999. The provision would cover natural public recreational spaces, including beaches and bathing areas, and would require the competent authorities to ensure suitable accessibility conditions for persons with disabilities. The items it lists include ramps, walkways, amphibious chairs and shaded areas. These measures concern the conditions under which the people covered by the amendment could use those public spaces.

The same article provides for coordination with the National Civil Protection System (Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil, SINAPROC) and other entities responsible for water safety to ensure that trained personnel are available. Those personnel would assist and guide persons with disabilities as they enter the water, remain in it and leave it. Assistance would be coordinated with their family members or companions. The proposed provision therefore addresses both the accessibility features of the surroundings and assistance during each stage of the activity in the water.

Responsibility for overseeing compliance with the provision would rest with the National Directorate for Persons with Disabilities (Dirección Nacional de Personas con Discapacidad), in coordination with municipal authorities and the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC). Article 3 expressly identifies the amendment as the addition of Article 31-A to Law 42 of August 27, 1999. Article 4 provides that the proposed law would take effect on the day following its promulgation.

Through the responsibilities it assigns, the draft bill concerns the National Directorate for Persons with Disabilities, the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), municipal authorities and other entities responsible for water safety. Its provisions could be of interest to or affect persons with disabilities and their family members or companions, as well as those who use or manage beaches, bathing areas and other natural public recreational spaces.