Praias Accessíveis e Surf Adaptado no Brasil: inovação social baseado no Design Universal

Abstract

Leisure in nature is a right for everyone, however access to beaches is still a major challenge for people with disabilities or reduced mobility. The purpose of this article is to stimulate initiatives aimed at promoting accessibility of beaches and the social inclusion of people with disabilities through the incorporation of the universal design principles in urban projects and the practice of adapted sports. This article gives a brief introduction on the rights of people with disabilities, the principles of universal design and the role of social innovation in building an inclusive society. It also discusses the results of a pioneering empirical study in Brazil conducted by an insider researcher who tested the accessibility programs of Brazilian beaches and social inclusion programs through adapted surf, considered to be successful cases of social innovation. This article also aims to raise the interest of researchers in cross-cultural studies of accessibility in Latin American countries.