My name is Rachel Henry and I live in Oxford, Ohio with my husband, Caleb and our two daughters, Josie and Cora.  We live near the Oxford Community Park and love to walk there on warm days as a family.  As with most children, the playground is my girls' favorite place to be. The experience, however, proves to be very different for each of them.  

My younger daughter, Cora, is 6 years old and finds joy in swinging, climbing and exploring the various parts of the playground. She is able to interact with other children she meets and can access all areas of the equipment with little thought or effort. 

For my 8 year old daughter, Josie, it is a very different experience. She was born with a disability which requires her to use a wheelchair for mobility.  She loves to go outside and socialize with her peers and her wheelchair provides her that ability to do so.  However, going to the playground is quickly becoming a negative experience for her.  She is not able to climb the stairs, or go down the slides of the playground.  She is not able to swing or access or enjoy any parts of the playground equipment without an adult assisting her in getting out of her wheelchair. (As she gets older, this option is becoming increasingly difficult and unsafe for both her and her caregivers)

We have visited other local parks that have accessible playground equipment.  What we have found is that these playgrounds allow for disabled and non-disabled children to play together.  There is not only equipment for Josie but she is able to interact with her non-disabled peers in a way she cannot at the Oxford Community Park. 

The Oxford Community is seeking out grant funding in order to adapt and expand this specific playground into one that is accessible for ALL.  We are seeking community support in order to increase the possibility of receiving grant approval.   

Please consider signing this petition to show your support.  Thank you.