Many outdoor spaces are inaccessible for people with disability and high support needs.
But the Federal government hopes to change that with a new initiative called Accessible Australia.
This week it announced $17.1 million in funding to increase accessibility in community spaces through the new Commonwealth Accessible Australia initiative.
It will work with states and territories to create accessible infrastructure projects in national parks, beaches and play spaces around the country.
The Federal government says it will fund up to 100 per cent of eligible accessible infrastructure for inclusive national parks, beaches and portable Changing Places facilities, including funding for all terrain or beach wheelchairs and accessible paths or mobi-matting.
It will also fund up to 50 per cent of the cost of building fixed Changing Places facilities and inclusive play spaces to include features like liberty swings and sensory play platforms, with the gap in build costs and ongoing maintenance to be covered by state and territory governments.
Focusing on inclusion
NDIS and Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said Accessible Australia continues the government’s focus on inclusion for people with disability.
“Through Accessible Australia, we are significantly broadening the types of accessible infrastructure and amenities that will be built across Australia, providing access – for the first time for many – to national parks, beaches and play spaces,” she said.
Call for councils
In a video posted to Instagram, advocate and founder of Accessible Beaches Australia, Shane Hryhorec said the funding would make more Australian beaches accessible for people of all abilities.
“So many people cannot use the beach unless it has been made accessible… a huge thankyou to the minister, Amanda Rishworth, for showing that it’s important to include people with disabilities everywhere, including our beaches.”
He called on local councils to apply to the government for a share of the funding to make their local open and outdoor spaces accessible.