Walking along the beach and getting sand between your toes is a common pastime in Australia, particularly as 87 per cent of the population live within 50 kilometres of the coastline.
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But for the one in five people living with a disability in Australia, accessing the beach is tough; people who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges can't cross the sand to the water.
As such, Accessible Beaches Australia has launched a petition and campaign urging the government to fund accessibility infrastructure, including beach wheelchairs, beach matting, and other accessible features, to help people with disabilities and mobility challenges access our coastline.
The organisation wants the government to support councils and surf life saving clubs in introducing more beach accessibility programs. It wants solutions including wheelchair-friendly beach mats and other accessible equipment. plus facilities such as accessible bathrooms, to become staples at beaches nationwide.
Of the 12,000-odd beaches Australia has, less than two per cent are accessible, leaving many people excluded from participating in the beachside fun potentially taken for granted.
Other countries have realised that making beaches accessible unlocks an untapped tourist market. For example, Greece has committed to making 287 beaches accessible over two years, on top of their 100 already accessible beaches, using equipment including beach ramps and other accessibility tools.
A video (above) has been released as part of the call to arms.
To sign the petition and for more information, click here.
