A one-of-its-kind park for the disabled

A one-of-its-kind park for the disabled
When was the last time you saw a differently-abled child at the park you took your kids to?
Deccan Herald

When was the last time you saw a differently-abled child at the park you took your kids to? You probably can’t remember. That’s because there probably weren’t any such kids there. Virtually all equipment, even the landscape, at all children’s parks in India, are made such that they can only be used by the able-bodied. This has, sadly, kept differently abled children out of such places, robbing them of their chance to have fun like other kids.

The pain of this exclusion is felt as much by their parents as by the children. Leading a group of such parents is a trust called Kilikili. Thanks to its efforts, as well as support from prominent citizens, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and the area corporator, Coles Park is set to become India’s first park with playspace facilities for the differently abled. Recently a ramp at the entrance was built by an NGO called ProVision Asia.

The special equipment in the park will be installed around Children’s Day, and will be thrown open to public on December 3, World Disabled Day.


How they accomplished this is interesting and inspiring. Managing Trustee of Kilikili, Kavita Krishnamoorthy, explains that they arrived at the design and plans after feedback from special children who visited Coles Park, explored it and pointed out what they wanted, and from child-care professionals. This resulted in the realisation that it was necessary to make physical changes in the park’s landscape and also install specially designed play equipment.

So, what can a special child expect now? Swings with back support and seat belts for children who don’t have natural upper body support. This will enable them to sit without falling over. Slides with stairs and railings on either side, and the slide surface has its sides raised to make them feel more secure. Pathways with tactile tiles for the visually impaired i.e. tiles which contain a certain code understood by touch. These tiles act like markers for visually impaired children pointing them to where different play equipment is placed.

All of these are simple modifications, nothing radical or very complex, but designed for user-friendliness by the special child. In fact, that was the whole idea - to create something simple and replicable so more children around Bangalore, even India, could benefit.

“We didn’t want to create this one unique island of excellence. We want this concept to spread by being seen as replicable,” explains Kavita. Fittingly, the BMP which has granted permission and plans to open such parks in each zone of the City.

Kilikili’s other big supports are volunteers like vocalist and chief patron Bombay Jayashri, architect Chitra Vishwanath who has worked on accessibility issues, special educator Meena Jain and pediatrician Dr Chitra Shankar.

There is much more potential for changes – this is only a beginning, they say. At the same time, those involved also accept there are limits to the extent to which public places can be tailored to special needs.

This is a small but very significant step towards combating the marginalisation of special children currently alienated from many public places and integrating them with their able bodied counterparts. To join Kilikili or volunteer your services, contact 98807-42028 or email: kilikili.uap@gmail.com

Aruna Chandaraju