Sabrina Cohen Foundation

In 2012, Sabrina Cohen, approached her hometown with a novel idea: Let's create a Beach for ALL! After getting stuck in the sand with her wheelchair in an effort to get close to the ocean, she realized more needed to be done.

SCI survivor, long time disability advocate and President of the Sabrina Cohen Foundation (SCF), Sabrina knows firsthand that exercise is a critical component for living a healthy life when living with a catastrophic illness or long-term disability, yet most health facilities do not offer accessible solutions and the sand is a natural barrier to entry.

Then, on July 23, 2014, the City Commission voted unanimously to approve SCF’s plan to create a fully accessible beach and adaptive playground for kids with special needs on Collins Avenue. To best compliment these outdoor activities, the development of an adaptive recreation center will provide a “go-to” destination offering beach access to participants, with full-time specialized staff, a dedicated place to store all personal belongings (wheelchairs), plus adaptive beach equipment, shelter from rainy days and an indoor first aid station.

Locals and visitors from all over the world will enjoy a unique, fully accessible, empowering experience, combining indoor and beachside physical fitness with recreational activities that promote mental and physical wellness… so no one gets stuck on their way! The Center will be a first of its kind oceanfront facility in the country in partnership with the City of Miami Beach.

SCF will play a leading role in the day-to-day management of the center and fundraising initiatives – partnering with veteran associations and various disability related organizations.