Art and Accessibility

I made the most of the glorious Sydney winter sunshine today, getting out and about to enjoy some art, embrace the beach, and even gain a new perspective on accessibility.

My day kicked off at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where I briefly joined an Indigenous art tour (free, every day at 11am). The young woman leading it, from the Wiradjuri nation, was passionate and shared some wonderful insights into several powerful works in the gallery’s Indigenous art collection. Though you often walk through galleries and enjoy the works on display, learning more about them from someone with significant knowledge, really adds to the enjoyment.

Also, at AGNSW, I was particularly struck by a large installation by Juanita McLaughlin, an artist from Wagga Wagga who I met about 18 months ago, when she had an exhibition at the NSW Parliament. https://jamesobrien.id.au/2024/04/seventh-generation/

Her latest work is a large-scale installation crafted from possum pelts. The artist statement explains that these pelts were sourced from New Zealand, where possums are an introduced pest species.

Her exhibition also showcases incredible blankets and quilts crafted from a diverse range of materials, which I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing.

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Next, I made my way to Coogee Beach, a favorite spot for my exercise and rehabilitation. It’s wonderfully flat, making it highly accessible for me with my physical disability, and getting there by public transport is incredibly easy, catching the light rail and then the 374. Usually, I go during the quieter weekdays, but being a weekend, Coogee was bustling!

That’s when I noticed something I’d never considered before: people sitting on the steps, but near the railings. For me and others, those railings are crucial for balance when going up and down.

When I found a spot to sit, I deliberately chose not to sit near the railings, hoping to make it a little easier for others who also rely on them. It’s a small act, but one I’ll definitely be mindful of in the future, and perhaps something worth sharing with others.

This beach accessibility theme has been on my mind all week. I had a fascinating chat with a man from Melbourne who’s started “Accessible Beaches Australia.” https://accessiblebeaches.com/

He’s doing incredible work, advocating for better beach access for everyone, including wheelchair users and older people. He even shared a fantastic TikTok video of his experience at a super accessible beach in France. It’s definitely work a look, particularly as he needs to “prove his disability” to use the “accessible beach”. https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSBtatceN

@wheelaroundtheworld The the world’s most accessible beach! ♿️🏖️ Join me at what might be the worlds most accessible beach in Nice, France, where I’ll be rolling down MobiMats, using beach wheelchairs, and exploring a space designed for everyone to enjoy the sand and sea. 🌊💙 📍 Handi Plage, Antibes Juan les Pins – 12-14 Bd James Wyllie, 06160 Antibes, France It offers 950m² of accessible beach, with 40 deckchairs available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and did I mention this service is FREE? 👏 Big thanks to @antibesjuanlespins and its Mayor for leading the way in beach access and inclusion. How amazing would it be to see this everywhere? Know any other accessible beaches? Drop them in the comments! And if you believe every beach should be as accessible as this one, SHARE this video! 🧷 How to Book Reserve ahead on the Handi Plage website to secure your spot: https://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/en/a-voir-a-faire-english/sport-leisures-well-being-savouring/leisurs/handi-plage-2824645 #AccessibleTravel#BeachAccess#InclusiveTourism#TravelForAll#BarrierFreeBeaches♬ Sunrise Light – ZydSounds

It can feel a bit absurd for those of us with visibly obvious disabilities to have to “register our disability” at a beach – trust me, that leg isn’t growing back! – but it really underscores the challenges people with hidden disabilities face in accessing crucial facilities. The good news is, there’s been a dramatic and positive increase in Australian beaches recognizing the importance of accessibility. Things like railings and specialized mats on the sand are making more beaches truly welcoming for everyone.