Inclusive Play Equipment for all
At this evening's full Council meeting we proposed our The Right To Play motion, a motion that will improve access to play equipment for children with disabilities across our city.
We are pushing the Council to improve our existing play parks and to make them more inclusive for children with complex needs and disabilities. Our motion also sets a new bench-mark for the Council on the amount of inclusive play park equipment each of the 5 Area committees.
Speaking on this motion Cllr Richard Dunn, who has worked with children and young people with complex needs for over 10 years, spoke on this motion in full Council. Commenting he said "Motions such as this are the reason why I came into politics in the first place, to stand up for young people with complex needs and to allow all children to have a proper childhood. Too many children are left behind because of play parks with no disability access or inclusive experiences."
All future play spaces are developed with community participation, co-design and co-production -and, when equipment is damaged or vandalised, consideration is given to replacing it with accessible alternatives.
All disabled young people deserve to be able to enjoy play parks that work well for them and their families within a reasonable distance of their home.
A minimum of one wheelchair swing in each of the five committee areas.
To enhance sensory involvement by procuring equipment which is aimed at touch and sound senses for those with audio or visual impairments.
Read our motion in full below;
Notice of Motion – The Right to Play
This Council recognises the need to improve play facilities for those children with disabilities across the City of Sunderland. Appropriate play is vital for the development, health, wellbeing and happiness of our children, particularly for young people facing barriers like discrimination and exclusion.
Every child should have equal right to play and enjoy childhood experiences through a range of challenging, formal and informal play opportunities in a safe and inclusive environment wherever they are in Sunderland which adheres to Article 31 of the UNCRC.
Therefore, Council resolves to ensure that:
- · All Council play parks are risk assessed for accessibility and inclusiveness for those with disabilities with the City Council to produce short-, medium- and long-term action plans which should be reported back to Council within six months.
- · All future play spaces are developed with community participation, co-design and co-production - and, when equipment is damaged or vandalised, consideration is given to replacing it with accessible alternatives.
- · All disabled children can enjoy inclusive and appropriate play parks that are accessible within a reasonable distance of their home.
- · To install a minimum of one wheelchair swing in each of the five committee areas.
- · To enhance sensory involvement by procuring equipment which is aimed at touch and sound senses for those with audio or visual impairments.
