In a world first, Story Bridge Adventure Climb is making a significant leap in inclusiveness by allowing people with accessibility requirements, including wheelchair to enjoy the thrill of scaling a Brisbane icon from Howard Smith Wharves!
This milestone will be achieved thanks to a specially-designed, motorised stair climber wheelchair of the highest safety standard, customised using advanced technology specifically for the Story Bridge. The advanced wheelchair ensures individuals with accessibility requirements can expect smooth and safe movement over inclines, ergonomic design for participant comfort and integrated safety features.
This innovation has been made possible thanks to a co-design by tourism operator John “Sharpey” Sharpe and Mike Box, of Box Wheelchairs, who also enlisted the help of professional wheelchair moto-cross rider, Timothy Lachlan, to test the system and refine its performance prior to opening it to the public.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell highlighted the importance of the initiative for tourism and for Brisbane’s image, especially with the 2032 Olympics in mind, saying, “We know that once visitors experience something like this, they’ll be the best ambassadors for our State.”
The hope is that Brisbane’s accessibility measures will position it as a world-class city and reinforce its place as an international destination. As Brisbane City Council Chair of Community and the Arts Councillor Vicki Howard put it, “This incredible initiative to make a wheelchair-accessible bridge climb experience reinforces why Brisbane is capturing global attention as one of the best places in the world to visit.
“It’s a defining moment that will set the gold standard for future tourism attractions not just here but around the world.
“I am so proud Brisbane is leading the way with accessible tourism offering as we cement our reputation as an accessible and inclusive city.”
Besides Timothy Lachlan, Queensland’s 2021 Australian of the Year and disability advocate Dinesh Palipana OAM participated in the climb on Wednesday morning, and he had positive things to say about this step forward: “When I was laying in a hospital bed once, not far from the bridge, I remember looking at a window, wondering if I will be outside again. To be now seeing the world from the top of our city’s bridge is like a dream.
“With about one in six people on this planet experiencing disability, the courage to do things like this reduces disability, enabling people to participate in a full life.
“The world is shaped by people who don’t see it as it is but see it as it can be. I feel lucky to have this opportunity, thanks to people who are shaping the world. We continue to show the pioneering spirit of Queenslanders, highlighting that we can, and we will.”
This upgrade represents an important step in the right direction, with the goal of making Brisbane a city that everyone can enjoy, as more and more places and attractions make accessibility a priority.