AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. is pleased to announce the Texas General Land Office (GLO) Coastal Management Program (CMP) is purchasing mobility mats and beach wheelchairs in 2026 so that local governments can utilize these mobility aids to help make Texas beaches easier for all to enjoy.
"As Land Commissioner and a Texan who spent more than a decade living on the coast, it's an honor to ensure people of all abilities have access to our beautiful beaches," said Commissioner Buckingham. "A big thank you to the GLO's Coastal Management Program (CMP). With their help, I am proud to be able to purchase mobility mats and beach wheelchairs for communities in need so that our coastline remains welcoming and enjoyable for all."
A gentleman enjoys the water at Jamaica Beach with the help of a Mobility Chair
To assess individual needs, the GLO’s CMP reached out to each eligible local government.
The GLO will provide new ADA compliant mobility mats and chairs to the following coastal communities:
- Galveston Park Board of Trustees – three beach wheelchairs
- City of Galveston – one beach wheelchair
- City of South Padre Island – two beach wheelchairs and four 50-foot mobility mats
- Cameron County Parks and Recreation, two 50-foot mobility mats
By providing local governments with these mobility items, the GLO aims to help these communities comply with the newly amended Texas Administrative Code requirements for Americans with Disabilities Act access. If you would like to learn more about beach accessibility measures, click the button below:
Texas Beach Accessibility Guide
A Mobility Mat in use at South Padre Island
The GLO’s CMP is also providing signage to coastal communities to protect dunes and dune vegetation and to direct beach goers to appropriate parking spaces and beach access exit points. These signs will make the beach going experience safer for all and help preserve the ecologically important coastal dune system. Signage will be received by the following communities:
- Matagorda County
- Brazoria County
- Galveston Park Board of Trustees
- City of Galveston
- City of Corpus Christi
- Cameron County Parks and Recreation
- Village of Surfside Beach
To learn more about protecting Texas dune system, click the button below:
Dune Protection and Improvement Manual
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.