to the beach
“ We ’ re incredibly proud to be leading the way in Victoria in terms of accessible beach infrastructure and look forward to other beachside councils following suit .” motor neurone disease gets funding boost
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to the beach
New South Wales rehabilitation and disability support organisation Royal Rehab has come to the rescue of people who use a wheelchair this summer with its innovative Beach Access program .
Now in its second year , the program provides free clinics for people with spine and brain injury , multiple sclerosis , cerebral palsy , muscular dystrophy or other disability to help them learn ways to access and gain confidence , independence and safety when visiting the beach and ocean .
Held this summer at Collaroy Beach on Sydney ’ s Northern Beaches , and supported by Life Saving NSW , the Department of Family and Community Service ( FACS ) and private donors , the program saw 25 Warringah lifeguards trained in disability safety .
Royal Rehab Recreation Therapy Leader Sebastian VanVeenendaal said he was thrilled to be able to offer the program .
“ Taking part in sport and recreation activity is a great way to feel confident , independent and healthy ,” he said . “ Participating in the Beach Access program is also a great way for people with disabilities to meet and socialise with others who have similar interests and experiences in a relaxed and fun environment .”
Still on the sand , Altona and Williamstown beaches in Victoria will be equipped with 24-hour accessible beach matting until the end of March , and a beach wheelchair will be available at Williamstown on weekends .
“ The addition of a beach wheelchair at Williamstown and accessible matting at Altona are the second steps in our plan to make both our swimming beaches fully accessible by 2020 ,” said Deputy Mayor of Hobsons Bay Colleen Gates .
Enjoying the beach mat installed by Hobsons Bay City Council .
“ These beaches will be the first in Victoria to offer 24 / 7 wheelchair access to the beach . This means that someone with a disability can enjoy spontaneous access along the beach on a balmy summers evening , an experience which was previously off-limits .
“ We ’ re incredibly proud to be leading the way in Victoria in terms of accessible beach infrastructure and look forward to other beachside councils following suit .” motor neurone disease gets funding boost
The Cure4MND Foundation has received $ 2.8 million from the Federal Government for research into Motor Neurone Disease ( MND ) – a condition that affects more than 2,000 people in Australia with the average survival rate of just over two years .
“ Motor Neurone Disease is the cruellest of diseases , there ’ s no cure and its cause is not fully understood ,” Minister Ley said .
“ The Government provides this funding because it ’ s part of our commitment to innovation and support for the country ’ s brightest health and medical researchers to help deliver the next big breakthroughs in medicine .”
In 2015 , the Australian Government provided more than $ 11 million to support vital ongoing research to find a breakthrough cure for MND through the National Health and Medical Research Council .
“ These clinical trials for Australian patients serve a dual purpose ,” Minister Ley said .
“ They offer hope to current MND patients by making cutting-edge treatments available to patients sooner through clinical trials , and they also help Australia ’ s brilliant researchers gather the evidence they need to develop a cure for MND patients here , and around the world .”
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