An accessibility day will be held in Fingal Bay on Sunday to give the community a chance to see new beach mobility equipment in action before they become available to the public during the busy summer period.
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At Fingal Beach between 10am and 1pm the new Mobi-Mat, Davinci chair and the Mobi-Chair Floating Wheelchair, donated to Port Stephens Council by Ability Links, will be on show and their use demonstrated.
“Our Accessible Beach Day is an opportunity to see these brand new chairs in action,” Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said.
“They will soon be available for anyone to use at Fingal, One Mile and Birubi beaches.
“With the help of Ability Links, this council is working hard to improve the quality of life for people living with a disability across Port Stephens.
“We’re lucky to have many beautiful beaches and this initiative will ensure that everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy them.”
Port Stephens Council has partnered with Ability Links, Accessible Beaches Australia and Surf Life Saving NSW to make beaches in the area more accessible.
Floating wheelchairs have been purchased by Ability Links for all three patrolled beaches.
Earlier in the year, Salamander Bay Recycling donated a Sandcruiser beach wheelchair worth $4100 for the One Mile Beach surf lifesaving building.
“We have walked alongside surf life saving clubs, their members and guests, beach users and Port Stephens Council to put meaningful measures in place to make our beaches more accessible and inclusive of every body,” Ability Links program manager Leonie Miller said.
“The results are a testament to the willingness of all involved to open our communities up more and more to people with disabilities, their families and carers. Bring on summer.”
The barbecue will be sizzling from 11am on Sunday.
All are welcome to head along to the beach accessibility day and try the mat and chairs.
