Despite there being a legal responsibility to have regard to the needs of children who are disabled persons, there a playgrounds across Wales without a single suitable facility for a child with a disability. Raising this important situation, Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, called for the Welsh Government to create a legal responsibility, and provide adequate funding, for local authorities to ensure that playgrounds in each community have facilities for children with disabilities.
The Minister for Social Justice responded in Plenary by advising that this is a matter that she will take up.
Commenting after clinching this important commitment from the Minister for Social Justice, Janet said:
“Parents have spoken to me about how their children with disabilities have to watch others play. The situation is a national disgrace.
“Despite the Welsh Government having created a legal responsibility to have regard to the needs of children who are disabled persons, the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 is failing to ensure that playgrounds across Wales have suitable facilities for children with a disability.
“I welcome the fact that the Minister for Social Justice has taken my concerns and proposals on board, and hope that the commitment I have clinched today is the move towards ensuring that children with disabilities are not being denied their right to play”.
