Playgrounds should be accessible to all

Re: “City eyes more accessible playgrounds,” Jan. 15.

I was heartened to read of the city’s plans to increase accessible playgrounds for Calgary’s disability community.

Increasing access to something as essential as play will have a profound impact on all children, not just those with accessibility needs. When every person is included, we teach our children the principles of respect, dignity and self-determination.

These principles follow the child throughout their lifetime. As chief executive of Vecova, one of Calgary’s leading disability organizations, I have seen first hand what inclusion can do. Inclusion allows people to gain access to the same opportunities that many of us have — at home, within the community and at work.

Vecova meets the needs of the disability community through our services, research and enterprises. With one in seven Canadians having a disability, Vecova recognizes the importance to work with governments to raise accessibility awareness and to enact positive action.

The proposed enhancements to the city’s playgrounds demonstrate that the City of Calgary is taking more steps toward creating additional opportunities for its citizens of all ages and abilities. Joan Lee, Calgary Joan Lee is chief executive of Vecova Centre for Disability Services and Research