Playgrounds to made more accessible to stop disabled kids being excluded

06 February 2024 , 08:32

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Councils will be given guidance to improve access to playgrounds

More playgrounds around the country will be made accessible so disabled children can use them, ministers have announced.

The Government’s Disability Action Plan will see disabled people encouraged to stand to become MPs and politicians. Among dozens of measures, ministers have also confirmed they will bid to host the 2031 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

The Government Equalities Office said the plan was informed by the views of more than 1,300 individuals and aims to "transform the lives of millions, ensuring disabled people can participate fully in society".

It states that local councils will be given guidance on how they can make their playgrounds accessible so children can enjoy facilities close to where they live. It warns that across the country access "differs significantly", meaning that some kids "are not always able to use the playgrounds in their local areas".

A fund will also be established to support disabled people hoping to run for elected office to increase representation in politics. And a new will educate businesses on the legal rights of assistance dog owners, with the Government saying this will make it easier to report when people with guide dogs are refused access to a business.

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Minister for Disabled People Mims Davies said: “The Government is determined to transform the everyday lives and experiences of disabled people for the better. Over 1 in 5 people in the UK are disabled. We want to tackle the barriers that prevent disabled people from fully benefiting from and engaging in our society.

"That means making this country the most accessible place in the world for disabled people to live, work and thrive.”

Stephen Kingdom, campaign manager of the Disabled Children's Partnership, said it welcomes some elements of the plan such as increasing the accessibility of playgrounds. But he added: "However the plan doesn't amount to a complete strategy to address the systemic failures for disabled children and young people."

Speaking in the Commons, Labour's shadow DWP minister Vicky Foxcroft said the plan did contain some "positives" for disabled people. But she added: "There is one obviously glaring issue that this Action Plan fails to address. The top concern for disabled people right now is the cost-of-living crisis."

Ashley Cowburn