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Wheelchair roundabouts in Calderdale and Durham

James writes to Durham Children's Network Summer Newletter

'For You and Me':

'Going to the park is supposed to be fun, but not for me, as I am in a wheelchair and can't use the normal swings or roundabout that are in the parks....

When I go to the park all I see is other children having fun, being pushed on the swings they are laughing and smiling and all I can do is watch and that makes me sad. Just because I'm in a wheelchair doesn't mean I should not be like other kids and have fun.

My time in the park is spent being pushed around the paved area. My family and friends try and make it fun but it's not the same as being on the swings. If only people would think about me and other kids like me.

every park says they cater for wheelchairs but this just means that the path is wider or there is an extra path. I wish one day someone would build a park so me and my friends can be like any other kids and can laugh and have fun playing on the swings or roundabout instead of just having to watch.

Can anyone help my friends and me? We are not asking for much we only want to be the same as any other kids. James

Michael replies to James in the Winter edition of 'For You and Me':

Dear James

My friend, Nadia Clarke, and her friends made a movie about how they got wheelchair-accessible roundabouts in 11 parks in Calderdale. Nadia's Mum, Katie is on Calderdale Parents and Carers Council and they all worked together.

Katie started off the '1 Voice Communicating Together' group for children who use communication aids, because Nadia is deaf and can't talk either. It doesn't stop her from having an interesting life though. Nadia is on the UK Youth Parliament.

We found information about their '1 Park for All' project on the Internet and put it on my website at: http://michael-reed.me.uk (click the 'wheelchair-accessible roundabouts link on my homepage) and we emailed Nadia and Katie.

They have a glossy information poster coming out in November that other groups of young people and local authorities can use, and they hope more copies of the DVD will be ready at the same time.

How about starting a 'Wheelchair Roundabouts Project'? Perhaps some local groups will work together, and with the Parks Department, on the project. The Children's Network and local press could help to publicise it.

Maybe we could show the DVD and share all the information at the Special Needs Exhibition next year.

Michael Reed

James also received a reply from a group who are about to put some accessible play equipment in two parks in Shincliffe.

And Children's Network has written to all the local councils to ask if they already have qaccessible play equipment and if they would like to speak to disabled children and their fainilies to discuss this.

Thank you Children's Network for your support and work!

collecting helpful documents - some are on the Calderdale page already

Update:

Nadia Clarke sent us some copies of the '1 Park 4 All' DVD and James and Durham Children's Network now have copies. Good luck with the campaign for wheelchair roundabouts in Durham and if we can help let us know. Me and Mum are happy to show our copy of 1 park 4 All. Our email link is on the homepage.