Inclusive to EVERYONE!!!!

I recently heard about a totally accessible playground in our area. It was built with a grant in conjunction with the township in which it resides. As a special educator, I think that it is so important for ALL children to be included in classrooms and community gatherings. While NY has begun to include ALL children and adapt educational programs for children with various special needs, it has a long way to go. Parents continue to have to fight for this right for their children. The part that is always lacking is how to include these kids into events and outings in their own communities. It is a little hard to go to your own community playground when you can't access any of the equipment in your wheelchair isn't it???? Well finally we have a wonderful playground where ALL of our kids can play together. I personally think that every town should have one of these....but one playground at a time, right!!!???

Here are some photographs of this playground. The ground is that soft turf so that if the kids fall, they won't get hurt. The slides are extra wide so if larger children or parents need to go down with the child, they can fit!!! I was almost in tears as I saw the children zipping around in their electric wheelchair's playing alongside their PEERS!!!! They were chasing each other and the grins on their faces were priceless. Not to mention the grins on the faces of their parents!!! THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE, don't you think???