Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods is a non-profit society whose mandate is to
work to support full inclusion within communities, including sport and recreational
programs, to improve access to information for people with disabilities and their
support systems, and to work towards creating barrier-free communities through the
education, implementation, and promotion of Universal Access.
Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods fully supports Laura Secord Elementary
School’s plans to build a playground that is inclusive.
One in six people in British Columbia have a permanent disability. When you think
about the fact that each of those people have family, friends, and support systems
you understand that there is no person in B.C. who is not affected in some way by
disability and the need for accessibility. As our population ages we also see a rise in
health issues that affect people’s ability to freely access their community and thus to
engage with those in their lives. Inclusion and accessibility is made all the more
important when you consider that at any time any of us can develop a disability.
An inclusive community is a healthy community and the interconnectedness of a
community’s social and physical environment is vital to the quality of life of all its
Members.
People with disabilities are often hindered more by the barriers and inaccessibility
of society than by their actual disability. An inclusive playground at Laura Secord
Elementary would help to ensure that those with disabilities are not more
“disabled” by a lack of inclusion.
People with disabilities are often isolated by the lack of accessibility and this
isolation can lead to further health issues. Creating a safe environment where
supportive social relationships are encouraged helps to ensure the quality of life for
people with disabilities and to reduce the experience of being isolated from their
peers and their community.
Research shows that playgrounds are crucial to the development of children. There
is a clear link between play and brain development. Playgrounds that promote
different types of play are vital to children’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and
social development.
Many people assume that an inclusive playground is created so that children with
disabilities can access the site with their peers and while this is correct it is just one
small piece of the pie as parents with disabilities, grandparents with disabilities,
and friends with disabilities are all able to access the play area and create a positive
experience with their family, friends and community. The inclusivity of the
playground also allows community members to meet, to get to know one another,
and to create bonds and support systems which increases the health and well being
of the overall community.
An inclusive playground is vital to creating a healthy community with full citizen
participation and Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods is proud to support Laura
Secord Elementary in their goal to create an inclusive, safe, and fun playground in
their community as we know that the playground will be a wonderful, vital, and
lasting legacy for all community members.
Sincerely,
Heather
Heather McCain
Executive Director
Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods (C.A.N.)
(604) 437 7331
info@canbc.org
www.canbc.org