Beach Wheelchair Now In Use In New Bedford

There's a new device being used on beaches in New Bedford. The beach wheelchair was donated by Smiles Mass., and its designed to provide more accessibility to beaches for adults and children with disabilities.

Ten year old Owen Costa visited West Beach on Monday, and was in the water in no time, thanks to what Mayor John Mitchell called the "amphibious wheelchair." Mitchell said the device "allows adults and chiildren with disabilities to fully enjoy the beach as the rest of us do."

Owen has muscular dystrophy. Owen's mom, Jaunna Adesso welcomes the new chair. "It's very exciting for us to be able to take him out to the beach, he hasn't been to the beach since he stopped walking, so this is super exciting for our family," said Adesso.

The devices cost about $2,000 apiece, but the City has already begun a fund-raising campaign to purchase more beach wheelchairs. You can contact the Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches for more info.