Labor to improve disabled beach access

Federal Labor will on Friday pledge $2 million to help communities make beaches more accessible for the disabled, and $16 million for stroke awareness.

Balmoral Beach in Sydney

Labor wants to make Australian beaches more accessible for the disabled. (AAP)

Labor wants to make Australian beaches more accessible for the disabled, pledging $2 million for grants for ramps, beach wheelchairs, hoists and slings.

The promise comes alongside a $16 million pledge to boost stroke awareness and follow-up care.

Opposition spokeswoman for families Jenny Macklin will reveal the cash injection for local communities to boost accessibility to beaches at Lakes Beach on the NSW Central Coast on Friday.

"For people with disability, a day at the beach can be difficult, and often impossible," she said.

From July next year, local councils, surf life saving clubs and other community groups will be able to apply for one-off grants of up to $50,000.

Meanwhile, Labor's health spokeswoman Catherine King will be in Melbourne to announce the party's $16 million stroke policy based on a partnership with the Stroke Foundation.

The partnership aims to boost the awareness of foundation's early detection stroke test, and provide better follow-up care and referrals once patients are released from hospital.

"Survivors speak of not being able to access information and services and being left to fend for themselves," Ms King said.

Labor would also re-establish the StrokeSafe ambassador program, through which volunteers spread messages about preventing strokes and receiving early treatment.

The program operates on donations and the Stroke Foundation's website says it receives no government funding.


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Source: AAP

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