THE Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC), Lorne Surf Life Saving Club (LSLSC) and Life Saving Victoria are trialling an initiative at Lorne to make trips to the beach more inclusive.<\/p>\n
As part of a six-week trial, GORCC and LSLSC are providing free access to a floating beach wheelchair, portable hoist and 40 metres of accessible beach matting.<\/p>\n
GORCC chair Ken Northwood said the initiative aimed to make the coast’s beaches more accessible
\nand inclusive for everybody.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want everyone to be able to enjoy the beautiful beaches on offer along the Surf Coast.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur vison for the coast is to provide \u2018world leading environmental protection and experiences for all\u2019, and this trial will allow people with a disability to get onto the sand and into the water – sometimes for the first time in their lives\u201d.<\/p>\n
Beach wheelchairs are ideal for people who have mobility limitations, including those with permanent disability, temporary disability or those with reduced mobility due to age.<\/p>\n
The wheelchair is available for hire in 90-minute hour slots from LSLSC during patrolled beach hours until March 31. Use of the beach wheelchair, hoist and matting is free, but bookings are essential. Lifesavers will provide water safety as part of scheduled patrols.<\/p>\n
A shipping container next to accessible parking spaces at LSLSC will house the beach access wheelchair, portable hoist (users need to provide their own sling), instructions for use and evaluation forms. The trial will assist in forming suitable strategies for future accessible beaches along the Surf Coast.<\/p>\n
To find out more and to book, head to lorne.accessiblebeaches.com.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC), Lorne Surf Life Saving Club (LSLSC) and Life Saving Victoria are trialling an initiative at Lorne to make trips to the beach more inclusive. As part of a six-week trial, GORCC and LSLSC are providing free access to a floating beach wheelchair, portable hoist and 40 metres of […]<\/p>\n