A survey by disability charity SCOPE found that half of families with disabled children say their local playground is inaccessible and one in ten say their disabled child has been injured by inaccessible play equipment.
Daniel Henry, News Correspondent
Saturday, 24 February 2024 04:07 UK
Playgrounds across the country are failing to cater for the needs of disabled children, campaigners told Sky News.
Fair Play Barnet playground in north London is said to be the UK’s first playground.
It cost £500,000, most of which was raised through a group of independent donors.
Deborah Gundle, whose son has special needs, led the campaign to build the playground.
“What we’re trying to do with this playground is showcase a model that every local authority and public landscape developer across the UK can see from how to design playgrounds with accessibility in mind,” Gundle said.
Co-founder Natalie Esfandi told Sky News that local government leaders had a big role to play.
Barnet Council is investing £100,000 into the project and Mr Esfandi says other local authorities should take note.
“Councils have a responsibility to promote inclusivity within their communities and to advance it for the wellbeing of everyone in society,” she said.
“Not only will disabled people benefit, but the well-being of society as a whole will benefit.”
“We hope other council members will take notice of our efforts.”
A study by the charity SCOPE found that:
• Half of families with children with disabilities say their local playgrounds are inaccessible.
• One in 10 people say their child with a disability has been injured by equipment that is inaccessible.
• Nearly one in seven (13%) were unable to enjoy playgrounds with their family because siblings could not play together.
SCOPE spokesman Warren Kirwan said the Government must deliver on its promise to build more play spaces for all children to enjoy.
“All playgrounds in the UK should be accessible to the whole family. Children learn and develop through play and disabled children should be able to do the same,” he said.
“The government has just published its Disability Action Plan, which sets out a series of recommendations for councillors and other organisations to develop, adapt and update our parks and playgrounds to make them more accessible and usable for everyone.”
Picture: Warren Kirwan says the Government must fulfil its promise to create more accessible play spaces
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A Government spokesman told Sky News: “We want to ensure more disabled children have access to their local playgrounds.”
Picture: Fairplay Playground, Barnet
“We will continue to work with people, including families, local authorities, businesses and experts, to improve access to advice and guidance for those building these facilities,” he added.
“This work is part of the Disability Action Plan – 32 measures the Government is implementing to make the UK the most accessible place in the world for disabled people to live, work and develop.”