Until recently, it would have been nearly impossible for Titusville resident Elizabeth Bradley—a tireless community leader and retired teacher—to get onto the beach. That's because Elizabeth Bradley—like many Brevard residents and visitors—is confined to a wheelchair much of the time.

She was delighted when she learned about a new access ramp and special beach wheel chairs the Port Authority was planning to provide at Jetty Park.

The new ramp provides wheelchair access from the parking lot to the boardwalk. Making the boardwalk accessible solved only part of the problem, however, since regular wheelchairs bog down quickly in soft beach sand. The solution was a design developed by Michael Deming for his young wife, Karen, a paraplegic. Karen’s special chair has large pneumatic wheels that roll easily through soft sand. It is constructed of stainless steel to make it impervious to salt corrosion and even sports a beach umbrella holder on the back of the seat so the rider has the choice of sun or shade.

The Canaveral Port Authority purchased two of these chairs at a cost of $3,500 and made them available for use at the Park by anyone who needs them.

During dedication ceremonies at the Park, Bradley was the first Port guest to ride down the ramp and onto the beach. "This is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "I am delighted that so many people in the community will be able to experience this for the first time.”