News

Brotherhood Local Area Coordinator, Clare Tucker, Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner Alastair McEwin and Amanda Lawrie-Jones

St Kilda is now home to Australia’s most accessible beach, following Port Phillip Council’s launch on December 9 of beach wheelchairs and matting to ensure people with disabilities can enjoy a day at the Bay.

The accessible beach launch is an integrated support – it couples with nearby accessible tram stops and a changing places fully accessible change room and toilet (MLAK key required).

Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner Alastair McEwin, who addressed the launch, said: “Going to the beach in Australia is a popular past-time that many people take for granted. Sadly, this is not the case for people with disability, particularly those who have physical or mobility disabilities who are unable to get onto the sand or enter the water.”

“People with disability can now enjoy a day at their beaches just like anyone else,” Mr McEwin said.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence are the local Partners in the Community in the delivery of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the City of Port Phillip and across the Bayside Peninsula Area.

In their work on building the inclusiveness of the community, members of the Local Area Coordination team were thrilled to be present for this event, hosting a stall on the day and providing information to attendees about the NDIS and how to access to the scheme.

The “Mobi-Chairs” and matting, which stops them from sinking in the sand, will be available at St Kilda and Port Melbourne Lifesaving Clubs during patrol hours.

Amanda Lawrie-Jones prepares to take a dip in a floating wheelchair.

The beach wheel chair hire is free and can be booked online at: https://pushmobility.gettimely.com/book

For more information about Council’s accessible beach program, go to the Accessible Beaches web page on the Council website.

For further information about the NDIS in the Bayside Peninsula Area, contact the Brotherhood of St Laurence on 1300 BSL NDIS (1300 275 634).