It can be very difficult for people in wheelchairs to move around on beaches. Most beaches don’t have ways for disabled visitors to move around easily, or to get in and out of the sea safely.
Seatrac is a system that was designed to solve this problem. Seatrac is basically a chair on a moving ramp (坡道) that can smoothly carry a person down into the sea, where the person can either remain in the chair, enjoying the water or go for a swim. The Seatrac system can help the disabled, older people and pregnant (怀孕的) women.
The chair is operated by remote control. When the person is ready to get out of the water, the Seatrac system brings the chair back to the top of the slope. It’s even possible to take a shower in the Seatrac chair after going for a swim.
Seatrac was invented and developed in Greece. The idea for it came when one of the inventors Ignatios Fotiou, was talking with a friend who used a wheelchair. The friend said he enjoyed the sea but didn’t like having to be carried into the ocean as if he were “a bag of potatoes”.
Mr Fotiou realized that there must be a way to make it easier for wheelchair users to get into the water. Mr Fotiou worked with his partner and a professor at a Greek university to design the system. A wooden walkway allows wheelchair users to reach the Seatrac. The system is solar-powered. It doesn’t require outside power and can continue to run even if the electricity goes out. The Seatrac system can easily be packed up and stored when swimming season ends.
This summer, the Seatrac system is being used at over 220 beaches in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Latvia. The Seatrac service in Greece is being offered for free. The Greek government and the EU have helped pay for it, with local cities buying and managing the equipment. Greece’s government hopes that Seatrac will help attract more tourists to the country.
【小题1】Who is Seatrac mainly intended for?| A．Anyone who has a hard time walking. | B．Children who cannot swim very well. |
| C．Everyone who wants to enjoy the sea. | D．Those who are unwilling to walk on beaches. |
| A．Ignatios Fotiou was asked to invent it by his friend. |
| B．Ignatios Fotiou listened to a complaint from a disabled friend. |
| C．Ignatios Fotiou wanted to have a chair operated by remote control. |
| D．Ignatios Fotiou himself was troubled by not being able to enjoy the sea. |
| A．It offers service for free globally. | B．It consumes a lot of electricity. |
| C．It is used at many beaches now. | D．It is too large to pack up and store. |
| A．Promoting the Tourism Industry. | B．Instructions for the Seatrac System. |
| C．Some Measures for Disabled Visitors. | D．Helping the Unwalkable Enjoy the Sea. |
