T&C’s for Beach Wheelchair Booking

1. The wheelchair may be collected from the Booking Officer at the Meath County Council East Meath Civic Centre.
2. Please do not try to use the beach wheelchair on your own. A minimum of one carer is required to assist the user.
3. Please note that the Booking Officer cannot assist in transferring the user into the Beach Wheelchair.
4. If the person using the wheelchair has severe balance or sitting problems or is prone to pressure sores, back pain or other similar conditions, please consult your Doctor before use.
5. The maximum safe weight loading is 130kg.
6. Please do not leave the wheelchair unattended especially near water or sloping ground.
7. Access to and egress from the beach is via the wheelchair ramp adjacent to the East Meath Civic Centre Building.
8. The wheelchair is not designed to move up and down stairs while loaded.
9. The wheelchair is suitable for many surfaces including sand and stone. However please do not use the wheelchair on uneven terrain or on steep slopes as it could tip over.
10. Please take into consideration any specific issues related to the disability of the user which may affect the use of the wheelchair.
11. Before any use of the wheelchair, check that the wheels are correctly locked (by the clips), that the straps are suitably tightened and that the buckles are fastened.
12. For safety reasons, the user must be seated as far back in the seat as possible when the wheelchair is pushed, the back of the body on the backrest.
13. Do not use the wheelchair when a wheel is punctured or flat.
14. Using the wheelchair with more than one person in it is prohibited.
15. Standing up on the seat or the footrest guard is prohibited.
16. Modifying the structure of the wheelchair is prohibited.
17. Avoid going under obstacles with the wheelchair.
18. Avoid hand-braking on steep surfaces due to the risk of injuries.
19. Do not move about on slopes greater than 15%.
20. Do not clear obstacles larger than 10 cm.
21. You must always be accompanied, especially for entering into the water.
22. Do not smoke while using the wheelchair.

Precaution for entering the water:

1. If the wheelchair is used in the water a lifejacket must be worn by the user. A life jacket is NOT supplied with the wheelchair.
2. The wheelchair is not a boat, it allows entering into water up to the height of the seat and is not designed to float with the user in it.
3. The wheelchair is designed to be used at the water’s edge and is stable with water levels at around the centre of the rear wheels (about 24cm or 10 inches).
4. The wheelchair should only be used in the water within the designated Lifeguard Area.
5. It is recommended that you lean forward (the buoyancy of the front wheel may unbalance backward).
6. A helper is required for entering into the water.
7. Users must be pushed exclusively by capable adults.
8. Watch out for the incoming tide, currents and waves.

Using the wheelchair:

1. Provide proof of identification to the booking officer when collecting the wheelchair.
2. Check the beach wheel chair to ensure wheel pins are secure and it is working properly.
3. If there is any damage or faults with the wheelchair, please report this to Meath Local Sports Partnership immediately.
4. Return the wheelchair to the East Meath Civic Centre promptly at the end of the loan period.
5. We welcome your feedback to the email address below.