Today I’d like to bring to your attention the need for more accessible parks in Britain.

Firstly I’d like you all to imagine your favourite memory of playing in a park. Maybe you’re racing down a slide or flying high on a swing. Now imagine being forced to stay at home or just watch because the park wasn’t made with you in mind. That’s the unfortunate reality for disabled children. 

This isn’t just a local problem, only 1 in 10 parks across Britain are accessible. What makes this tiny number even more heartbreaking is that there are over a million children in Britain who need these parks, a million children who are being excluded just because of the design of a park which should be a fun place for all to play.

And we can't forget, this doesn’t just impact the disabled children, it impacts the disabled parents too. Taking your child to the local park shouldn’t be something you dread, it should be fun but it can’t be for them if there aren't parks they can easily access too.What if your child hurts themself  just before going down the slide and you're in a wheelchair. You can’t get up there to help them. This then makes all the inaccessible parks unsafe places for many families.

Now I’d like to focus on the changes we can make and what we need to add to make an accessible park for everyone, disabled or not. Instead of the usual gravel, sand, deep wood chips or grass flooring, it can be replaced with a smooth rubber surface. This makes it a lot easier for people with wheelchairs to get around safely. Instead of stairs or ladders to everything up high, some can be replaced with ramps. Key word some because as long as each high up structure has a few ramps for wheelchair users, others with either different disabilities (or no disabilities) can use the stairs or ladders if they choose. A communication board can be very helpful for non/semi-verbal people or anyone who is overwhelmed and can’t find the words. You can simply just point or gesture to the pictures or words and others can understand what you want, need or feel. We can have traditional swings too but we definitely need accessible single and double swings. Single swings (Adaptive seat swings and wheelchair platform swings) are important because they give children who can’t sit up right the safety and support they need, or let a wheelchair user roll straight onto the swing and experience the swings just like non-disabled people. Double swings (Tandem accessible swings) are just as important because disabled people can swing face-to-face with a friend, sibling or ,if they’re a child, their parent.We can also include parts for hidden disabilities because accessibility doesn’t just count for the visible ones. We can add things like texture boards, sensory gardens and quiet zones to make sure the play can be for everyone like I’ve been saying. There are many more things I could list but these are just a few examples.

When these changes are made, something amazing will happen. Millions of people will be included. We aren’t just fixing playgrounds, we’re bringing non-disabled and disabled people together because the right things have been done. Instead of being isolated, everyone can now play and make new friends instead of being stuck on the sidelines like what they’re sadly used to. Not to mention, these parks will be an accepting environment for everybody’s differences.

Local councils may say it will be too expensive, but can you really put a price on the happiness and joy of everyone who used to be excluded, now having a place to thrive and play? 

Thank you

By Ezmae Merritt age 10