Perissa Beach on Santorini Offers Swimming Access to the Disabled

A special mobility ramp, powered by the sun, has been installed at Perissa Beach on Santorini to provide swimming access to people with disabilities.

The SEATRAC-technology ramp is a mechanism comprising rails with an attached seat that enables people with physical disabilities to enter the water without the help of escorts. It doesn’t run on electricity and only on solar panels. Trained staff is on call to provide any assistance when necessary.

“With the help of this mechanism, our fellow citizens with disabilities will be able to enter the sea without any help and without damaging their own equipment. Now, more residents and visitors to the island can enjoy their summer swims”, Katerina Karamolegou, the president of Geothira MAE, said.

Geothira MAE is a company on the Municipality of Thera and was in charge of the installation process.

“Our goal is for the beaches of Santorini to be open and accessible to all and we intend to install similar mechanisms at other beaches, next season”, she added.

The SEATRAC mechanism is a non-permanent installation and did not alter the shore of Perissa in any way. It can be uninstalled at the end of the summer season and used again next year.

The pioneering SEATRAC system of ramps has been designed by a team of experts at the University of Patras (TOBEA company) and is a Greek innovation registered in Europe and the US.