The Children with Disabilities (Play Areas) Bill was presented by Torbay MPAdrian Sanders and supported by the national charities Mencap, the Children's Play Council and Kidsactive. It called for local authorities to assess the needs of disabled children when they renovate or build new unsupervised play areas.
Mr Sanders withdrew the Bill after confirmation earlier this month that the Government will enact its measures and extend them to include all play areas. By 2004 all local authorities must have assessed their play areas in consultation with organisations working with disabled children. Simple changes could include wide, clearly-marked paths, handrails fitted to ramps, safety tiles, and the use of bright colours and different textures.
Mr Saunders said, 'This is a huge victory for thousands of children with disabilities who will now have increased opportunity for non-segregated play. I am thrilled at the Government's response to this important legislation, as it has gone further even than the Bill intended.' Local Government minister Alan Whitehead, who is responsible for playgrounds, said, 'By explaining existing legislation the Government believes it can address two of the concerns set out. We will also introduce, as a result of our discussion with Adrian Sanders, new specific best-practice guidance which will set out in clear terms our expectations of the considerations local authorities and other bodies should take into account when improving provisions.' Richard Kramer, Mencap's head of campaigns, said the charity was delighted with the move. 'We look forward to working with the Government on drawing up guidelines on how they can implement the changes in local play areas.'