Water wheelchairs will be available at Olathe pools this summer

OLATHE, Kan. (KCTV) - When pools across Olathe open this Memorial Day weekend, the city says water wheelchairs will be available. They were provided by local nonprofit Variety KC and will be at all aquatic facilities.

“These water wheelchairs make the entire pool accessible for anyone who has any kind of disability,” said Kennedy. “We have the lifts that are ADA required, but those only cover a small portion of the pool. This really opens up the pool for anybody of any ability.”

6 wheelchairs have been distributed to the Olathe Community Center, Black Bob Bay, Oregon Trail Pool, Mill Creek Pool, Frontier Pool, and the Beach at Lake Olathe. Ali O’Grady, Variety KC’s Community Liaison Officer, says this allows those with mobility aids not to have to worry about potentially damaging their wheelchairs.

“They are adult-sized so they will fit adults all the way down to children,” said O’Grady. “It’s going to give people full range of these facilities. Inclusion is incredibly important. Our community needs a chance to be out and be seen. These water wheelchairs should move barriers so many families face.”

This isn’t the first time Olathe has partnered with Variety KC. The nonprofit has provided around 60 sign language and communication boards to dozens of the city’s facilities, according to the city. At the Beach at Lake Olathe, Mobi-mats allow wheelchair s to go to the water and the pavilion by the lake.

“We want residents to know we see you, we hear you, regardless of who you are, what abilities you have,” said Kennedy. “We want you to come and experience any of our facilities. We want you to feel welcome in your city. We want you to feel you are seen and valued for who you are.”

The City of Olathe says Black Bob Bay and the Beach at Lake Olathe open this Saturday, with all the other pools opening on Monday.

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