Play parks and leisure facilities across the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough have welcomed new and improved resources, making the facilities more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.
The Council received £82,700 in funding for 4 projects from the Department for Communities’ Access and Inclusion programme, which aims to promote a more inclusive society by enabling people with disabilities to participate more fully in arts, cultural and active recreation activities.
Speaking at the launch of the new equipment at Oxford Island Play Park, Lord Mayor Alderman Margaret Tinsley said:
“We should all be able to access sport and leisure activities that help us to keep healthy, including those of us with complex disabilities.
“The funding attained through the Access and Inclusion Programme has made a huge contribution to improving the facilities at local parks and leisure facilities. In turn, this will provide an instant lift for our community, providing inclusive and fun places for everyone.”
The Programme provides grants of up to £30,000 towards both physical improvements at facilities and works that will enhance the experience on offer to people with disabilities.
The funding has been used at Oxford Island Play Park to install an inclusive springer seesaw – one of the first of its kind in NI – which encourages children to play together including those with a wide range of disabilities. The Park also features braille, sensory play and communication boards.
The funding has also been used to install audio described trails including tactile maps and trail features at Lurgan and Solitude Parks; inclusive swim equipment including sensory lighting at South Lake, Orchard and Banbridge Leisure Centres and sensory pods to create a quiet space for self-regulation at Orchard and Banbridge Leisure and Dromore Community Centres.
For more information on inclusive services at ABC Council, please click here.
