Community groups encouraged to make public play spaces more accessible

Local community groups will be encouraged to make public play areas more accessible to children with additional support needs with the release of a new guide tomorrow.

Developed by Inspiring Scotland, Play Scotland and the Nancy Ovens Trust, the new Free to Play guide aims to encourage communities to develop inclusive spaces for children to play.

The document forms part of the Scottish Government’s play strategy, which promotes active play as a vital part of child development.

It will include advice on initial planning and commissioning the design and construction of places that children of different ages, abilities and play preferences are able to play together.

Ahead of the launch at parliament tomorrow, Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “This guide is comprehensive, practical and inspiring. It will help groups make informed choices and avoid common mistakes and should be the first point of reference for all groups in Scotland wishing to make better spaces to play.”

Libby Welsh of the Parent Inclusion Network said: “Play is a fundamental right for all children and young people. If all play spaces were designed with disabled children in mind then this would improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of parents, siblings and children. All children need the same thing from a play space – to be included.”

Recent studies have shown children in the UK are now some of the least physically active in the world, with increasing solitary use of technology often blamed.