Disabled kids in Sheffield 'missing out on vital play'
Disabled children are being excluded from play areas due to "misguided notions'' of health and safety, an inquiry has found.
Disabled children are being excluded from play areas due to "misguided notions'' of health and safety, an inquiry has found.
Chaired by former Sheffield MP Lord Blunkett, the inquiry found many parents of disabled children experience negative attitudes towards their child when trying to access play areas, such as soft play or playgrounds.
The three-month inquiry, commissioned by the national deafblind charity Sense, found 51% of children had been intentionally excluded from playing by the providers of play.
In the Sheffield area it's claimed to affect up to 1800 disabled children.
Many play settings were also not accessible to children with multiple needs, the inquiry report - which is due to be launched in Parliament later - said.
As a result, parents struggle to find out about accessible play opportunities and have to rely on word of mouth.
Some 40% of families with disabled children also face extra financial costs when trying to find play opportunities for their children, the report said.
The study, which looked at play opportunities for the 570,000 disabled children in England and specifically the 100,000 with complex care needs, found failings at every level that result in disabled children aged up to five missing out on play.
Lord Blunkett said:
"We know that play is vitally important for children with multiple needs and their families, bringing a wide range of developmental and emotional benefits.
"However, our inquiry found that all too often the parents of children with multiple-needs point to barriers they face in accessing and enjoying play. It means that disabled children don't have the same chance to form friendships, and parents are prevented from taking a break from caring.
"Both disabled children and their parents are excluded from their own communities.
"I know that there is strong support across the political spectrum for addressing the findings of this report, and I look forward to working with colleagues from all parties to achieve real change for parents and families across the nation.''
Recommendations in the report include greater investment in play as part of early years funding to support play in the home and in mainstream services.
Developmental play services should also become a statutory service for disabled children under the age of two, with an increased emphasis on children with multiple needs.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission must also investigate the exclusion of children with multiple needs from mainstream play settings, and take action to enforce the Equality Act 2010, the report said.
Richard Kramer, deputy chief executive of Sense, said:
"Play is critical in giving children the best start in life and improving outcomes for children and their families.
"The report makes clear, however, that where a child has multiple needs, the barriers they face to accessing play settings and activities are also multiplied.
"We hope that local and national policymakers, as well as play professionals, reflect on today's recommendations, and make the necessary changes that will make access to play a reality for all children.''