CANBERRA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has announced new funding to make the country's beaches and parks more accessible for people with disabilities.

Amanda Rishworth, minister for social services and the national disability insurance scheme, on Tuesday committed 17.1 million Australian dollars (10.8 million U.S. dollars) in funding for the new Accessible Australia initiative.

She said in a statement that the initiative will fund infrastructure projects to make Australia's beaches, national parks and play spaces more inclusive.

Projects that will be funded include wheelchairs capable of traveling on all terrains, including beaches, and accessible paths for people with disabilities.

Rishworth said that the initiative would provide access for people with disabilities to beaches, national parks and play spaces -- in many cases for the first time.

"People with disability have the same rights to be included in our communities, to access the spaces we gather in, and to experience our beautiful natural environment," she said.

Accessible Australia will replace the existing Changing Places initiative, under which the government is building the highest level of accessible bathrooms for people with complex needs in communities across the country.

The government in January launched an updated 10-year national disability strategy to make the country more inclusive. Enditem

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