Inclusion Matters

Summer is in full swing, and playgrounds all across the country are bustling with energetic youngsters, happy to have been released from the confines of classrooms and formal learning environments. These spaces are filled with endless possibilities for curious young minds and active explorers, but not all kids can play alike. Those with physical disabilities must often navigate a playground terrain not built with them in mind, leaving them with limited opportunities for exercise, socialization and outdoor play.

As a parent of a child with a disability, I am all too familiar with the feeling of despair when we find ourselves at a play space that is not accessible. Fortunately, we have come a long way over the past few years and public playgrounds are becoming more and more inclusive.

I wrote previously about our experience at our local Easter Seals playground (see HERE), and how life-changing it can be when all children are included.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Jane Park Woo, Director of Too Small to Fail and Tiffany Harris, of Shane's Inspiration. Both Jane and Tiffany were featured on a panel that was hosted by UNICEF at the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities back in June. Together, they are building accessible and literacy-rich playground environments for children, and we discussed how this work fits into the bigger conversation of early childhood development – particularly for children with disabilities. Their vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities, creating inclusive playgrounds and educational programs around the world that unite children of all abilities, and I am on board with that.

Knowing the value of outdoor play, I was thrilled to learn that Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities plans to build a universally accessible playground in Mundy Pond Park, right here in our province. The playground structure will be a gift from Jumpstart to the City of St. John’s as part of the charity’s Inclusive Play Project, which focuses on removing accessibility barriers to sport and recreation.

“Jumpstart is pleased to partner with the City of St. John’s to provide an innovative, inclusive play space for this community,” said Scott Fraser, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “The Jumpstart Playground will allow more people to enjoy Mundy Pond Park by giving kids of all abilities the opportunity to play outside together.”

I am hopeful that this new playground will consider the needs of all individuals and will include equipment that can be accessed by wheelchair-users, without having to transfer out of their chair. This is a huge issue for our family. All too often, we have had the unfortunate experience of feeling the excitement of learning that a space or activity is accessible, only to find out that my child is "too disabled" to participate.

Guess what, guys? "Too disabled" is not a thing.

ALL children deserve the opportunity to take part in recreation and to develop to their fullest potential. When children are denied the opportunity to play and socialize with their peers, they are denied the chance to develop skills that will benefit them forever. Sometimes it is people's attitudes and perceptions of disability that create barriers. More often, it is not people but the environment that is the cause of exclusion, and that is not acceptable.

There are some beautiful examples of accessible and inclusive playground equipment out there. These next few photos were taken recently at the Janeway St. John's Maple Leafs Therapeutic Play Garden.

We look forward to the development of our local Jumpstart playground. There are some big plans for that area, and I am excited about the potential of a truly universally designed play space. Jumpstart's vision is to create a Canada where all kids have access to play. They state that their "goal is to ensure that these playgrounds become the standard for inclusivity by creating imaginative and accessible spaces where children of all abilities can share in the magic of play." I like the sound of that.

There is still time to contribute your ideas about the proposed playground. Email engage@stjohns.ca to join the conversation!

Everyone Can Play

A while back, I wrote about the grand plans that Easter Seals NL had in the works for a new accessible park and playground (see that post HERE). Well, a year has passed, and the state-of-the-art playground is now a reality! The grand opening was held on June 14th, and since then, the play space has been full with children of all ages and abilities playing together. It is a beautiful thing!

This is the first fully accessible and inclusive playground in our province, and it was greatly needed. All children should have the opportunity to play!

Before now, Brennen and I would drive by neighbourhood parks without a second thought. I knew he couldn't play there. The bumps and steps were a barrier, and the wheels of his chair would get stuck in the pea gravel before we even got to the play equipment. It was no use even trying.

This new playground on the grounds of Easter Seals House on Mt. Scio Road is more than just accessible. It is welcoming to all children, regardless of ability. Children here can play together, make friends, take risks, and challenge themselves to try something new.

In addition to offering a wonderful experience for our children, this playground offers a reprieve and a sense of normalcy to families like mine who face significant challenges on a daily basis. This is a place where we can let our kids just be kids, and not worry about whether or not they will fit in, or if they will be able to participate. Brennen still needs help to interact with many of the features of the play structure, but the ramps and soft surface make it easy to navigate and fun to explore.

This playground is just Phase 1 of the Easter Seals NL Accessible Park Project. Future plans include a gazebo, sensory garden, amphitheatre and hardcourt surface. We can't wait for that!

Here are some photos from our time at the playground!

If you would like to help support Easter Seals NL programs for children with disabilities living in our province, or if you would just like to spend the day hanging out with Brennen and I, join us in Bowring Park on September 8th for the Run, Walk, Stroll & Roll! Click HERE for details!

Easter Seals Accessible Park & Playground

Easter Seals NL is building our province's first fully accessible and inclusive park and playground, and I can't even tell you how excited we are!!

Playtime is important for ALL kids, and like all parents, I want my children to know the joy of play, but when your child has a physical disability, this can sometimes pose challenges. Most playgrounds are not accessible, meaning that the equipment is not easy to navigate by individuals with wheelchairs or other mobility devices. The pea gravel that is commonly used to surface outdoor play spaces is almost impossible to push a wheelchair through, and the majority of the play features are not usable by people with disabilities. The unfortunate reality is that playgrounds have traditionally been built without full consideration of the accessibility of all people.

(This an older photo of Brennen and I at a playground in our neighbourhood. It was quite the struggle for me to get his chair onto the rocky surface, and once he was there we were stuck. I actually had to get Andrew to help lift him out. It was challenging, and there was nothing for Brennen to do at this playground, but we smiled like we were having fun anyway!)

Easter Seals NL has plans to change the playground experience for families like mine. Located on the tranquil grounds of Easter Seals House on Mount Scio Road in St. John's, the new playground will be a place where persons of all ages and abilities can play together.

The plans include a sensory garden, amphitheater, multi-court and hockey rink, and a playground that features a wheelchair accessible glider, therapeutic rings, activity panels, and ramps to each play structure with double rails that allow for continuous gripping support, wheelchair turning areas and transfer stations.

This is an artist's rendering, but can you even imagine??!

On June 21st, Easter Seals held a groundbreaking ceremony for all donors, sponsors, community partners and friends of Easter Seals!

Easter Seals Ambassador, Nathan Chaulk spoke about what it means to him to have an accessible playground here in our community:

"A kid's work is play. I remember when I was a kid, I used to have to be looking in from the sidelines, and this will let everyone get in on the action regardless of their disability. I would like to thank Easter Seals and the donors for making this dream come true!"

Having an accessible playground means that it will be as easy as possible for everyone to play, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This playground will promote physical, cognitive and learning experiences that will enrich play experiences for all children.

As a parent raising little ones in a technology-driven world, there is just something so appealing to me about old-fashioned play on an outdoor playground - the kind that encourages the social, sensory and interactive play that all children need. My parenting journey may not be typical, but I know one universal truth about raising kids - play is a key component of childhood development. All kids need to play.

Please support the Easter Seals "See Ability in Disability" Capital Campaign to build Newfoundland and Labrador’s first fully accessible and inclusive park and playground!

Click HERE to donate!