Surfing museum to take part in Accessibility Weekend

TORQUAY’S Australian National Surfing Museum is one of the Victorian tourist attractions that will open their doors for free to wheelchair users and their carers this weekend.

Now in its 14th year, Accessibility Weekend signifies the importance of access and inclusion for people living with a physical disability and forms part of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week.

ArtVo, Sovereign Hill, Eureka Skydeck, Legoland and the Arthurs Seat Eagle are among the venues that are participating this year on Saturday September 8 and Sunday September 9.

Independence Australia chief executive officer Peter Turner said Accessibility Weekend linked with the organisation’s objective to support people living with a disability or personal need to regain and retain their independence.

“Accessibility Weekend is an invaluable opportunity for Victorians living with a disability, their families and carers to enjoy the inclusive access each participating venue has to offer.”

Australian wheelchair rugby legends Nazim Erdem and Josh Hose are supporting the weekend, which is organised by Independence Australia.

Erdem, who became a quadriplegic after diving off a pier into shallow water at the age of 20, has won two gold and two silver medals at five Paralympics from 2000 to 2016.

Hose, an incomplete quadriplegic, won gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics. He was a passenger in a car that rolled down a 20-foot embankment, which saw him sustain a spinal cord injury.

The two Paralympians coach and mentor people with spinal cord injuries to return to their communities independently, noting the importance of accessibility.

Independence Australia has also teamed up with Global Ballooning Australia to offer one lucky Accessibility Weekend guest and their carer the chance to win an accessible ride in Global Ballooning Australia’s Easy Access Basket across the Yarra Valley.

For more information about the competition and to view a full list of participating venues and their accessible features, visit accessibilityweekend.com.au.