The beach of Las Vistas, in Arona, south Tenerife becomes the only one of the Canary Islands with the Aenor accessibility flag. The bathing area boasts this recognition, the only one in the Canary Islands today and an endorsement that guarantees equal opportunities in access, use and enjoyment of these areas to all people, regardless of age or abilities. This certificate of quality is added to other distinctions obtained this year, such as the blue flags and the Inclusive Beach: Sun and Sea for All.
The hoisting of the accessibility flag was performed at the rescue and safety facility next to the adapted bathing platform and was made at more than 28 degrees of temperature, despite being in mid-November. The mayor of Arona, José Julián Mena, appreciated the “long road traveled in a short space of time” and stressed that “this endorsement motivates us to continue working on this path thanks to the efforts of the workers and municipal services.” “Las Vistas is not only one of the most visited beaches in the Canaries, also by people with functional diversity, but one of the best equipped so that nobody feels discriminated against,” he added.
This bathing area is one of the most visited in Spain by the elderly or with reduced mobility. It has an adapted bathing platform and a service of lifeguards and of specific material to attend the people with functional diversity, with more than one hundred users every month. Among other characteristics, the certificate of Aenor believes that the beach has equipment, services and professionals that facilitate assisted bathing to those who require it, as well as walkways and ramps to the bathing area. Thus, it states that the beach is accessible and that maintains this condition in time.
The mayor was accompanied by Councilor for Environment, Works and Infrastructures, José Luis Gómez, and the director of Aenor in the Canary Islands, Jose Luis Mataix, who explained that this badge, which was formally granted in September 2016, is a recognition and evidence of compliance with UNE 170001-2: 2007, where, in addition to the management system, compliance with the Dalco criteria (ambulation, apprehension, localization and communication) and the desire for continuous improvement are confirmed.
In this sense, he emphasizes that annual audits will be monitored to verify that accessibility is maintained and that the City Council has taken steps to improve the system if possible.
Courtesy of La Opinión de Tenerife
