India's first universally accessible public play space opened

They enjoy playing in the park

The Hindu

India's first universally accessible public play space opened

# BMP to develop such parks in other parts of city
# Rs. 20 lakh to be set aside for the purpose: Jairaj

Bangalore: Despite his polio-inflicted disability, Mujahir confidently climbs the "spider web" play equipment made especially for differently-abled children at Coles Park here.

He and many other children like him were perhaps getting a chance to play in a park for the first time, thanks to the initiative of a few parents.

"I enjoyed playing in the park," said Mujahir, who is studying at Shraddanjali School, run by the Association of People with Disability.

"We are happy that the park is clean. There are not many barriers which helps us to move about freely," said another child with disability.

On the eve of World Disability Day, India's first universally accessible public play space developed jointly by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and Kilikili, a network of parents of children with disabilities, was inaugurated at the Coles Park on Saturday.

Inaugurating the park, K. Jairaj, BMP Commissioner, said that similar parks would be developed in the South, West and North zones of the city and that the BMP would set aside Rs. 20 lakh for the purpose.

"It is easy to create such spaces, but maintenance is difficult. Parents, the residents welfare association in the area and the civic body should form a tripartite collaboration so that the play space is maintained well," he said.

The BMP had undertaken civil works in the play space and at the entrance to make it accessible, while Kilikili had modified regular play equipment to make it suitable for children with disabilities, Kavita Krishnamurthy of Kilikili, said.

A pathway had been created within the play area, which will allow access to wheelchairs.

A curvy track within the pathway promises a different experience for wheelchair users.

A sensory integration track for different kinds of sensory stimulation, for the feet of these children, has also been designed.

Seats have been designed to be suitable for children who do not have upper body support. These seats have been fitted into the merry-go-round, swing and seesaw, along with regular seats to ensure that children of all abilities play together.