Millions of visitors travel to Tampa, Florida each year to enjoy the region’s world-class shoreline, which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. However, many people can’t enjoy this natural resource due to mobility challenges. That’s why the Forward Foundation is working to make Tampa Bay’s beaches not only the most beautiful, but the most accessible in the world with an offer to fund a much-needed amenity: mobility mats.
According to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has some form of disability and 1 in 7 struggles with mobility, making it the most common type of disability. That means millions of people have trouble getting around, which is why getting onto a sandy beach is either incredibly difficult, or for many, simply impossible.
The solution? Mobility mats. Mobility mats are nonslip pathways that help individuals with mobility challenges avoid getting stuck in the soft, uneven sand, allowing them to access the beach safely and easily. For so many, mobility mats are a game-changer.
The Forward Foundation is partnering with Help Us Gather (HUG) and the Disability Achievement Center to give Tampa Bay cities a unique offer; a blank check to every beach-facing community interested in installing a mobility mat.