Writer believes charge for beach wheelchairs is discrimination
I’ve been in this area for five years as I’ve been attending Coastal Carolina University. I am also in a wheelchair.
In response to the cancelation of the beach wheelchair service, I have to say that I am very upset. In my opinion, this is blatant discrimination. Taxes on tourists in Myrtle Beach and on the beaches are high enough that they should not have a problem tending to the upkeep of these chairs. Beach wheelchairs should be a public service.
Why should I have to pay $45-$60 (or more) a day to access a beach that others can walk for free? I should not be charged for being disabled. It should not be a luxury for one group to access a beach, while another group can access it free of charge (plus the new parking charges, of course). That is quite literally the definition of discrimination.
It is very disappointing when a community refuses to make accessibility a priority for all of its citizens.
Dani Lepley, Conway
This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 8:12 PM with the headline "Writer believes charge for beach wheelchairs is discrimination."