Month: October 2025

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World Class Access – Beaches For All: Nice, France

On a hot pink background in white font is the title: World Class Access, accompanied by the Accessibility Partners logo on the right (two clasped hands, one pink and the other purple forming a heart shape. Underneath the title is an image of a sweeping view of Expo City in Dubai, dominated by a circular architectural structure. The intricate lattice-like design forms a dramatic canopy overhead, casting patterned shadows across the open plaza below. Palm trees line the space, where people casually stroll or gather.

Getting ready for your beach holiday?

On a hot pink background in white font is the title: World Class Access, accompanied by the Accessibility Partners logo on the right (two clasped hands, one pink and the other purple forming a heart shape. Underneath the title is an image of a pebbled beach in Nice, France. There is a path leading to an area of the beach with amphibious wheelchairs and shaded areas either side to sit under. The path is marked with a wheelchair symbol and stripes, both in blue and white. Under the image, it reads: Barrier Free Beach Days: Nice, France The bottom of the image features a white banner with pink text inside that reads: “Accessibility Partners Discover Your Possibilities"

Next in World Class Access, we celebrated two “Beaches for All” in Nice, South of France. Both Plage de Carras & Plage de Centenaire have a multitude of facilities to help make the beach more accessible and inclusive, including:

  • Ramps and non-slip Mobi mats for a smoother journey along the pebbly terrain and to the shoreline.
  • Amphibious wheelchairs, which stay stable in the water (with dedicated, fully trained staff on hand should you need support).
  • Audio systems on buoys and wristbands so that visually impaired swimmers can stay safe and secure

All of these facilities are available for free, without the need to book and without justification (dispensing with the idea that you need to “prove” to anyone why they are needed).

Did you know that Nice is visited by approximately 5 million tourists a year, and is France’s second most popular destination after Paris?  Facilities like those available at their “Beaches for All” are a great example of how accessible design can benefit everyone, irrespective of their access needs, as they were designed with a broader view of varying circumstances in mind.

What would make #WorldClassAccess for you? 

Have you seen something or somewhere that you think is an excellent example of inclusion or accessibility? 

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News

World Class Access- Air For All

On a hot pink background in white font is the title: World Class Access, accompanied by the Accessibility Partners logo on the right (two clasped hands, one pink and the other purple forming a heart shape. Underneath the title is an image of the of the “Air 4 All” - a seating system designed so a power wheelchair user can remain in their chair on a flight. Underneath that image, also in white font are the words: Taking Flight for Accessible Aviation. The bottom of the image features a white banner with pink text inside that reads: “Accessibility Partners Discover Your Possibilities"
On a hot pink background in white font is the title: World Class Access, accompanied by the Accessibility Partners logo on the right (two clasped hands, one pink and the other purple forming a heart shape. Underneath the title is an image of the of the “Air 4 All” - a seating system designed so a power wheelchair user can remain in their chair on a flight. Underneath that image, also in white font are the words: Taking Flight for Accessible Aviation.The bottom of the image features a white banner with pink text inside that reads: “Accessibility Partners Discover Your Possibilities"

Let’s celebrate the organisations, services, and products from around the globe that are paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible world: World Class Access.

First up, we have the “Air 4 All” system, designed by the consortium of the same name, which is committed to making flight a more dignified experience for disabled passengers. It was unveiled by Delta Flight Products. The system enables power wheelchair users to remain seated in their chairs within the cabin.

Did you know that wheelchair users are one of the smallest demographics of “Passengers with Reduced Mobility” (PRMs) served by the aviation industry? They account for between 1% and 2% of overall passenger numbers globally. Flying as a full-time wheelchair user can be incredibly stressful, especially when you consider statistics from 2023 showing that one in every 65 mobility aids is mishandled by airlines.

Using similar latch-type locking and securement technology seen in wheelchair-accessible vehicles, the design currently supports powered wheelchairs. However, as conversations with the relevant authorities are ongoing, there’s potential that it can encompass other types and sizes of wheelchairs in the future, and it can also function as a standard seat as required.

The “Air4All” initiative will provide wheelchair users with peace of mind and dignity when travelling, something that we all deserve, regardless of our circumstances. Making the industry more inclusive makes sound business sense: the Air4All initiative would enable the industry to tap into a global disability spend of $13 trillion.

What would make World Class Access for you?