Chennai: A regular park scene has children running around, riding on the merry-go-rounds or lining up to play on the slides and swings. Usually in a corner a child just sits in a wheelchair and wishfully watches. Ms Rajul Padmanabhan, director, Vidya Sagar (formerly, Spastic Society of India) asks “Everybody talks about inclusive study, what about inclusive play?”.
To create more opportunities for differently-abled children to play, authorities from Vidya Sagar have designed a merry-go-round, a swing, a simple amusement park like ride and set it up in their school playground. Ms Kalpana Rao, principal, Vidya Sagar and Ms. Simi.T, head, department, of physiotherapy, have jointly designed the playground equipment, manufactured by Ankidyne.
The principal said, “The fact is they don't deserve to miss out on such an important aspect of childhood. The only way our children could play before would be if they were constantly held or if they sat on the lap of someone else playing. So, sometimes understanding that they have to depend on someone else, they refuse to play.” She also said the primary aim was to make playground equipment safe. Next, the equipment should make children feel independent.
Swings for differently-abled children are common abroad. Vidya Sagar teachers borrowed the idea by looking at pictures on the Internet. However, the ideas for the merry-go-round and other equipment were the first of its kind. “We spent a lot of time trying to figure out the design, but what we learnt was the only thing really needed was wider platforms, extra space for the wheelchairs, a few extra rods to hold on to, extra safety belts and railings and ramps.” said Ms Simi, physiotherapy teacher After members of Rotary Clubs, who also funded the project, inaugurated the equipment on Friday, joy knew no bounds for students who lined up at the playground.
