Handivoile stops in Cannes
Handivoile stops in Cannes
On August 9, Mr. Bernard Brochand, Deputy-Mayor of Cannes and his First Deputy, Mr David Lisnard, representing the Alpes Maritimes County Council, inaugurated the two Handivoile days at Cannes Handiplage at Bijou Plage. For the sixth consecutive year, this operation carried by the County Council, provides to people with disabilities the opportunity to go sailing, (in addition to host families and coaches, boats can also accommodate wheelchairs), sail a trimaran, (designed never to tip over, and can be controlled with the feet), as well as practice kayaking or canoeing and water sports. This course requires an optimal management with professionals and volunteers, as well as high security equipment. This plan allows contributing to the integration and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, through the discovery of the marine environment. During his summer tour, Handivoile will also call at the beaches of Cap d'Ail, Cagnes sur Mer, Saint Laurent du Var, Mandelieu La Napoule, Antibes and Nice. In 2010, 650 trips out at sea were organized and each year, more than 1,200 adults benefit from this scheme as well as and 41 specialized associations and organizations. In their speeches, Mr. Bernard Brochand paid tribute to the Communal Center of Social Action (CCAS), and recalled that the city spent more than 100 000 euros on a qualitative and quantitative intention, as an important contribution by the city of Cannes to improve facilities and to avoid breaking off with other beaches, that this beach be not a ghetto. Attendance to Handiplage is up 32% in comparison with last year. He also stressed that a second Handiplage beach was planned in the Midi beaches. As for David Lisnard, he paid tribute to all people present, and the County Council, Mr. Eric Ciotti, the Public Service, professionals, volunteers, and all those working for Handivoile, to its improvement and its quality and noted that the Handivoile beach at Bijou Plage was one of the most beautiful in France thanks to the CCAS, and the quality of service it provides.
