Lanarkshire mum calls for swing parks to be made disability friendly
Joanne Donnelly's disabled son was left upset at a play area in Ravenscraig.
Last updated 16th Aug 2021
A Lanarkshire mum is telling Clyde 1 News swing parks need to be made more accessible for children with disabilities.
Joanne Donnelly from Chapelhall claims she had been looking forward to taking her 12 year-old son, Jack, who uses a wheelchair to the new Craig and Mini Craig park in Ravenscraig as she was told it would be inclusive.
When they arrived they realised the only thing he could use was a roundabout.
She said: "I was expecting a wheelchair swing, a sesnsory garden and lots of different equipment for disabled kids and those with additional support needs.
"There is a lack of facilities at play parks in North Lanarkshire for children with disabilities.
"Some of them have wheelchair swings, but this only works for those who can lift themselves on to the swing.
"We need one that I can push my son on to."
"We have other kids asking us why he can't take part"
Joanne adds that Jack who also is non-verbal has got upset on several occasions because he hasn't been able to join in with other children.
"Trying to explain to your non-verbal child that there is nothing here for him to do when he just wants to be included with the other children is heartbreaking.
"We sometimes have other kids coming up to us asking why he can't take part and then he gets upset and we need to go away."
"We have to go to Rouken Glen or Zetland in Grangemouth"
The family have been forced to make long journeys to other areas just to give Jack the opportunity to enjoy a swing park.
Joanne added: "If we want to go to a park with our son, we have to go to Rouken Glen or Zetland in Grangemouth.
"I don't think we should have to do this as there should be something here for all children."
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said, "The council fully considered accessibility to the new Craig and Mini Craig park at the design stage and we ensured that suitable access was provided for all potential users, including disabled parking.
"In addition, inclusive equipment including a wheelchair accessible roundabout, inclusive basket swing and an accessible sensory garden were designed into the project.
"There is limited play equipment that is accessible to a wheelchair user and features have been designed-in to allow those in a wheelchair to play alongside other children.
"We are fully aware that a specific wheelchair swing is available and have already considered installing this over the next 18 months to further enhance the offering at the new park.
"Doing this however, separates wheelchair users from other park users and as such cannot be considered as inclusive play."
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