Tourism and leisure activities have become basic
aspects of modern society. The right to enjoy them
is a quality of life indicator and an element of
social integration, just as the right to education
and work.
Leisure enjoyment forms part of a satisfying human
experience and is fundamental for the physical,
psychological and social development of the individual.
In the case of the disabled, moreover, it can be
considered a vitally important factor towards complete
integration.
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Mirador
de la Cumbrecita (La Palma - Canary Islands) |
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The Island Governments of La
Palma, El Hierro and Gran Canaria ( Canary
Islands, Spain ), and the autonomous regional
governments of Madeira and the Azores ( Portugal
) have acquired specific equipment ( Joëlette ),
so that the disabled can enjoy hiking in this
part of the world.
The Joëlettes , or wheelchairs
adapted for hiking, are available free of charge
to both local inhabitants and visitors alike
- meaning that no member of the family or friend
needs to stay at home, or in his/her holiday
accommodation, when other group members go
hiking, or simply out for a walk.
To use the Joëlette , previous
experience is required, or else the services
of specialised guides can be obtained.
To apply for the Joelette, contact
the following addresses:
Organization |
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Cabildo
Insular de La Palma
Avenida Marítima nº3.
3ªPlanta.
Santa Cruz de La Palma. 38700
La Palma - S/C de Tenerife. I. Canarias. florenzo@aderlapalma.org |
Joelette Available
Units |
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5 |
Organization
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Gobierno
Autônomo de Azores.
Direcçao Regional de Turismo
da Região Autónoma dos
Açores..
Rua Com. Ernesto Rebelo, 14 9900-112
Horta. Faial. Açores. Portugal.
promocao@drtacores.pt |
Joelette
Available Units |
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2 |
Organization
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Cabildo Insular
de Gran Canaria.
C/ Agustín Millares Carló s/n.
Edificio Insular I. 1ª Planta.
35803. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
TLF: 928.21.92.02 |
Joelette
Available Units |
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2 |
Organization
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Governo
Autónomo da Madeira - Secretaria
Regional do Ambiente e dos Recursos
Naturaís - Direcção
Regional das Florestas.
Edifício Golden Avenida Arriaga,
21 9004-528 Funchal - Madeira
anase.sra@gov-madeira.pt |
Joelette
Available Units |
2 |
a)
Description
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Cañadas
del Teide (Tenerife - Canary Islands) |
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The Joëlette is
a vehicle built by the French mountain guide
(and founder of the association Handi Cap Evasion)
Joël Claudel
at the end of the 1980s. It consists of an armed
chair mounted on a wheel (see pictures). It allows
all those who are unable to walk to negotiate almost
all types of paths. The aim of the device was to
enable the inventor's niece Stéphane, who
had myopathy, to go hiking in the Alps with the
rest of the family.
Construction-wise, the Joëlette consists
of a seat mounted on a motorcycle-type wheel. Two
120cm-long arms extend from the front and rear.
The Joëlette is equipped with accessories
for safety and comfort: supporting legs, safety
belt, footrest, disc brake, suspension, cushions,
head rest. In addition, it can be easily dismantled
and fits in a car boot without difficulty. From
the initial handmade prototype, a manufactured
model gradually evolved, presently marketed by
the company CDRD (France).
b)
Operation
Operation of the Joëlette implies
a team of 3 to 4 people, depending on the terrain.
Those involved are: the passenger, two operators,
and a third operator acting as a reserve and aid
to security. The weight of the vehicle itself,
plus the passenger, should always be borne by the
wheel axle. To this end, the rear operator is able
to adjust the seat inclination by means of a lever,
and thus achieve correct balance. Once the right
balance has been reached, none of the team members
bears any weight on the arms or shoulders. The
front operator steers and supplies pulling power.
Communication between all team members is an essential
factor for the successful operation of the Joëlette .
Half a day's practice is considered sufficient
to acquire the basic technique. Given the technical
features of the vehicle, almost all types of terrain
can be negotiated. It is easier to walk along a
path with a Joëlette , than it is
to push a bicycle. The limitations lie not with
the equipment, but rather in the technique and
strength of the whole team.
To get further
information about Disabled-Ready Hiking, please
check the following links:
http://www.hce.asso.fr
http://www.imagina.org
http://www.polibea.com/
