Disabled children 'are missing out on access to play'
Disabled children are missing out on play opportunities vital to early stages development, a public inquiry to be presented to Parliament by Lord David Blunkett today has found.
The report, conducted by national deafblind charity Sense, has found that one in two disabled children has been turned away from play settings and activities.
Nine out of ten parents of disabled children surveyed said their child does not have the same opportunities to access to play.
Former Secretary of State for Education and Employment, Lord Blunkett, chaired the public inquiry, which highlights negative attitudes towards disability among parents as a major barrier.
Lord Blunkett said: “All of us know that play is critical for all children – so much more, therefore, for a child that has multiple challenges.”
Co-chair Lesley Rogers said attending playgroups with her eight-year-old daughter were not an option: “You just would not think about taking her there because it was far too busy and it was not geared up for her sensory needs.”
Deputy CEO of Sense, Richard Kramer, said that the report points to failings ‘on a number of levels’, including a lack of funding at a local and national level.
Kramer said: “More worryingly, there is an issue around public attitudes to disability to preventing people to play.”
Mother of seven-year-old Stella, Jo Snow, said: “There is a very clear look, and it is a look which probably only disabled parents would understand.
“Children are far more accepting of anyone – it then becomes apparent that it is the parents’ fears that are put onto the child.”
ArticleDisabled children 'are missing out on access to play'David BlunkettDisabilityCharity