A new playground fully adapted for children with disabilities has opened in the park next to Vyšehrad in Prague 4. According to the district authorities, the site now features a car-shaped swing, a slide, a maze where children can move different objects around, and an entirely new surface.
The playground is designed for children both with and without disabilities — the district's goal is to create a place where all children can spend time together.
"The location was chosen deliberately: right next door is the Jedlička Institute, the oldest Czech institution for children and young people with physical disabilities. The playground will give children with disabilities access to activities and entertainment that are usually hard for them to reach," said Prague 4 Mayor Ondřej Kubín (ODS).
The idea for the playground came from district councillor Tomáš Chaloupka (ANO). He said that after seeing play elements designed for children with limited mobility, he immediately thought of combining them into one space where both able-bodied and disabled children could play together.
Petr Hrubý, director of the Jedlička Institute, said he was delighted with the new playground. According to him, all children now come together in one place, and parents no longer have to wonder whether the attractions will work for a child in a wheelchair or whether the playground is only suited to children who can walk — the result, he said, is a genuinely welcoming shared space.
Prague 4 plans to gradually add barrier-free elements to other playgrounds in the district as well. Deputy Mayor Jan Hušbauer (ANO) said barrier-free features will be included whenever other district playgrounds are renovated, including the playground on Lísek Street, which is currently being rebuilt and will also be accessible to children with disabilities.
Source: prazskypatriot.cz