From ‘SCOPE’
Too many disabled children are being denied fun and friendship at their local playgrounds because they are not designed for them.
- Half of families with disabled children face accessibility problems with their local playground.
- 1 in 10 parents of disabled children said their child got hurt using inaccessible equipment.
We are calling on the Government to invest in a multi-million pound inclusive playgrounds fund. Inclusive playgrounds are places where all children, can be themselves and form memories that last a lifetime.
Demand the Government gives every child an equal chance to play.
Accessibility issues with playgrounds
Every child has an equal right to play, yet many disabled children cannot enjoy their local playgrounds.
Parents have told us, including through ‘Our lives, our journey’ research, that the playgrounds they use were not designed with disabled children in mind. This creates barriers for their child.
Barriers like:
- lack of inclusive and accessible playground equipment
- inaccessible pathways and tight spaces
- challenging and uneven terrain
This limits choice and their child’s right to play. It’s unjust and unfair.
Why are inclusive playgrounds important?
Play is fundamental to a child’s development and wellbeing, and playgrounds facilitate this. There are over 1 million disabled children in the UK.
Through play a child can:
- learn
- explore
- stay active
- make friends and socialise
Not being able to access these play spaces can increase exclusion and isolation.
We want to see:
- accessible equipment
- sensory opportunities
- appropriate surfaces and fences
These changes make play fun, safe and open to all children.
We help disabled children and their families get support when they need it. We have lots of advice for families with disabled children.
If you have a disabled child, we are here for you. We can help you navigate an overwhelming, complex system so you feel less alone.
