Nursery World - Out and about (4)

The notion of access to play facilities for disabled children is only paid lip service in many areas. Radhika Holmstrom reports Go to a park on a sunny summer afternoon and you'll find the playground and the surrounding grass are packed with children, childminders and parents.

Go to a park on a sunny summer afternoon and you'll find the playground and the surrounding grass are packed with children, childminders and parents.

The equipment's probably not in great shape, but children are climbing determinedly on to the swings and slides, and running around on the springy ground. The sight is duplicated in urban parks and playgrounds across the UK. And so is one disturbing omission from the overall picture. Where are all the disabled children?

Recent articles in Out of School, the Nursery World supplement for playworkers, have explained very clearly that accessible, inclusive playschemes are not as difficult to set up as many people think. A number of organisations such as Kidsactive, the Children's Play Council and London Play are working on making them widespread. London Play is working with the Greater London Assembly and the Mayor's office on an inclusive play strategy for the capital.

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