Family says daughter barred from play structure

The parents of a fouryear- old girl with cerebral palsy who must wear shoes have filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal after their daughter was denied access to a climbing structure at an indoor playground with a socks- only policy.

When Eloise Dupuis, who must wear leg braces inside running shoes for stability and mobility, arrived Saturday at the Funmazing location in Guelph with her father, Matthew, they were refused use of a climbing structure that Eloise had played on during previous visits due to the socks- only policy that applied to all children.

When Dupuis complained to the owner, Gio Salgo, he said he was told shoes on her equipment would cause damage.

Salgo said she offered Eloise a chance to play with other equipment — an offer Dupuis confirmed — but that the manufacturer of the climbing structure recommended only socks be worn because rubber soles can catch on a plastic slide and cause injury. Salgo said she feared children could collide with each other on the structure and injure themselves.

After calling his wife, Tracy, to explain what had happened, he drove Eloise to a facility in Kitch- ener, where she was allowed to play without incident.

Matthew Dupuis posted his experience on Facebook and asked for a boycott of Funmazing. The post had been shared more than 5,000 times as of Monday evening.

Meanwhile, Funmazing has posted several responses — including an apology.

Salgo said she has spoken with the manufacturer and has decided that shoe coverings could be a compromise for children who must wear shoes. She hopes to have some in the shop by Tuesday.