People with disability miss out because of inaccessible bathrooms near Aussie beaches

Key points:

• Australian beaches were visited approximately 16 million times last year, but a lack of accessible bathrooms is preventing some Australians with disability from enjoying the coastal beauty
• Travel Without Limits Magazine Executive Editor Julie Jones expressed her desire for bathrooms near beaches to become more accessible for Australians with disability
• In addition to planning local trips to the beach, extra research into overseas locations may be required for Australians travelling with disability

People have visited Australian coasts and beaches approximately 16 million times in the last year according to Surf Life Saving Australia, although accessibility concerns may be affecting the number of Australians with disability who visit. 

Accessible bathrooms are large enough for a person with a wheelchair and an assistant person to turn within the room and the bathroom doors open outwards. However, not all accessible bathrooms are fitted with features such as adult-sized changing tables, meaning some people with disability cannot use them. 

Travel Without Limits Magazine Executive Editor Julie Jones highlighted the importance of making public bathrooms accessible for people with disability.

“It’s the first thing we look for when we’re heading to the beach with our son, Braeden [who] lives with cerebral palsy and so we really need the additional space an accessible bathroom provides,” she said.

“Millions of other Australian families are in the same boat. They need an adult-sized change table, a hoist for transfers or even simply grab rails for support in the toilet.”

When appropriate bathrooms are unavailable, people with disability may need to leave the beach earlier than they’d like or try to use toilets that aren’t fully accessible. 

Ms Jones commented on the disadvantages that some people with disability may experience if an accessible bathroom is not close to outdoor activities such as the beach. 

“It’s not fair that they should have to miss out on the essential Aussie experience of a day at the beach for lack of a bathroom that suits their needs,” she said.

Accessible bathrooms don’t just include functional aspects such as grab rails, but also adequate placement of fixtures such as sinks. 

Research associate at the University of New South Wales Dr Konstantina Vasilakopoulou previously highlighted that even with adequate space, other factors to make bathrooms accessible are not always considered for people in wheelchairs. 

“Mirrors, soap dispensers, light switches, automatic hand dryers are often placed too high for people in a seated position,” she said.

Julie Jones and her son, Braeden, highlighted the importance of having accessible bathrooms for people with disability. [Source: supplied; Travel Without Limits]

 

The benefits of outdoor opportunities such as spending time at the beach include lower levels of stress and anxiety, improved social skills and more fundamental movement skills. 

Beachwheels Australia Director Drew Valentine emphasised the importance of all Australians experiencing the wind, waves and sand in coastal areas, regardless of ability.

“[…] We believe that the beauty of Australian beaches should be accessible to everyone,” he said.

“Public spaces, including accessible bathrooms, play a crucial role in ensuring people with disabilities can enjoy beach days just like anyone else.”

Approximately 5.5 million Australians live with disability as per the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

However, it’s not only accessible bathrooms at beaches that can make outdoor activities more inclusive for Australians with disability. 

Ramps for people in wheelchairs, i.e. that aren’t too steep, close carparks and clear pathways are essential in making areas such as beaches accessible for people with disability.

While improving beach bathroom accessibility is a work in progress, organisations such as Push Mobility, a registered NDIS provider, have created solutions to help people with physical disability enjoy time at the beach.

Australians can purchase items such as beach matting for wheelchairs to move on the sand, wheelchair paddleboard seats and adapted wheelchairs with larger wheels.

Although organisations such as Accessible Beaches Australia raise awareness about beach accessibility in Australia, disability awareness may not be so common in other countries and may require extra planning. 

Some countries may not yet be able to make travel accessible for tourists with disability, so it is up to travellers to ensure that their travel plans are suitable. 

The Disability Support Guides can help inform Australians about what can make travel more inclusive for people with disability. Tips for travelling with disability include:

• getting appropriate travel insurance to cover your disability;
• researching the accessibility of your accommodation, e.g. possible stairs, and travel arrangements; and
• talking to your general practitioner about the best way to manage your medications or fitness.

Read more about travel accessibility tips related to specific disability in this Disability Support Guide: Tips for travelling with disability.

What are some accessible activities you like to do with your family?

Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media. 

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