East Boston, MA – Triangle Inc., a Malden-based nonprofit that offers innovative and comprehensive disability services that serves nearly 3,000 people across eastern Massachusetts, hosted their annual Beach:Ability event at Constitution Beach in East Boston on Saturday, August 2.
This event has become a highly anticipated tradition in the Triangle community and was made possible by the Better Beaches Program by Save The Harbor/Save The Bay, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Universal Access Program. The Universal Access Program provided mobility mats, accessible floating beach wheelchairs, and Piers Park Sailing provided accessible kayaks as well. In addition to the fun in the water, the event features games, booths from program partners at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and DCR, music, and complimentary BBQ lunch.
This year’s Beach:Ability brought together over 150 attendees for a great day of fun. Among the guests was Kristen McCosh, the Disability Commissioner for the City of Boston.
“Each year, this event raises awareness about the wonderful ways people with disabilities can access our beautiful beaches,” said Rachel Kaprielian, Triangle, Inc. CEO. “For years, people with disabilities have been told that the beaches weren’t for them, but with the help of our partners at DCR’s Universal Access Program and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, we are helping reverse that framing by giving lifelong Massachusetts residents their first opportunity to experience the waves and sand.”
“It has been a privilege to work with Triangle Inc for the last few years to show that Boston Harbor is for everyone and that people with disabilities deserve to have accessible and program-filled days on the beach,” said Maya Smith, director of partnerships and program development at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.
“Through the work of organizations like Triangle and with the support of the Universal Access Program, Beach:Ability isn’t just a one-time opportunity for events created by and centering disabled community members,” Smith added. “We hope folks can join us on the beach for All Abilities Day Out on Revere Beach by the Revere Commission of Disabilities and the All Abilities Dance Performance on Constitution Beach coming up. And we encourage others with ideas for accessible programming to apply for a Better Beaches grant next year.”
Piers Park Sailing Center Executive Director Alex DeFronzo said: “Beach:Ability is one of our favorite events of the year because it combines lots of our favorite things: inclusive programs, kayaking, Constitution Beach, and Triangle, Inc. Partnering with Triangle, Save the Harbor, and DCR is a great way for us to connect more people to the water and make sure everyone gets to enjoy kayaking each summer!”
For more information about Triangle, Inc., visit https://triangle-inc.org
For more information about Save The Harbor/Save The Bay visit https://savetheharbor.org
For more information about Piers Park Sailing Center visit https://piersparksailing.org/
