In 2013, a U.S. study by the Health Resources and Services Administration 14 percent of all children have special needs, and that 24 percent of families with special needs have reported having to quit their jobs to stay home and help their children.
Yet the higher cost for these “inclusive all access” playgrounds is high and may be stalling their proliferation across the U.S.
But, don’t think putting up playgrounds for all children is just about “fun”. Instead, this is serous business.
The pitter patter of happy little feet was muffled for good reason: those very feet were being protected by a modern-day rubberized flooring. The sound of children screaming was that of happiness, not pain, as the young students of Caldwell - West Caldwell, all attending the summer special education programs, ran and climbed and laughed while enjoying a spiffy, safe and “all access” playground, located behind the Harrison School.
This playground is the brainchild of the Kiwanis Caldwell-West Essex, under the leadership of their president Mary Ann Luke, who said she knew what she wanted to accomplish during her tenure.
“This is something I wanted to see done while I was still serving as president,” said Luke last winter, as she explained the project. “I want to see a playground for all children, one for all kids even those with special needs.”
Today, in front of a large crowd of Kiwanians, School board staff and others, Luke and her dynamic club got their wish.
The playground is built low to the ground, over a safe, rubbery ground, and boasts low slides, a safe tunnel, ramps which can be used for wheelchairs if necessary, and most of all, a giant welcome to the children of every ability and talent, no matter their special needs.
The project, which cost almost $60,000, was funded by the Kiwanis Caldwell - West Essex club; a grant from Provident Bank; a grant from the Kiwanis International Foundation and also from the Caldwell-West Caldwell schools.
President of the Kiwanis International Lance Incitti, who attended the event, said this playground could become a model for many other Kiwanis projects.
“We gave this club this grant to help them expand their reach into the community, and also view it as a model for other clubs,” he noted. “It is our worldwide mission to serve our communities and especially the children.”
Incitti said that in 2013 - 2014, 129 clubs proposed grants. Of those submitted only 35 percent were approved. In total, the Kiwanis International Foundation gave out $590,000 - and this local club made the cut easily.
Neither townships of Caldwell or West Caldwell officially funded in the project, but instead the Caldwell - West Caldwell schools took part in putting up this new, all access playground.
In 2013, a U.S. study by the Health Resources and Services Administration 14 percent of all children have special needs, and that 24 percent of families with special needs have reported having to quit their jobs to stay home and help their children.
Yet the higher cost for these “inclusive all access” playgrounds is high and may be stalling their proliferation across the U.S.
But, don’t think putting up playgrounds for all children is just about “fun”. Instead, this is serous business.
The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates all children have the right to enjoy playgrounds - and if those with special needs are not able to use them, it may be a violation of their civil rights.
Eve Hill, a civil rights lawyer with the Justice Department, is adamant about offering wheelchair ramps and other “all access” features for children.
"Play areas are not just places where kids have fun," noted Hill in an interview., "They are places where kids learn to interact with the world, and with each other." Recreation was one of the places where the civil rights movement started, with desegregating pools and desegregating lunch counters and movie theaters. These were not unimportant.”
And all that fun being had right now on the new all access playground?
Chalk that up to the perks of a good old fashioned childhood.
