COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 12, 2020

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor S. O'Hara

That this Council requests that the Chief Executive erects communications boards in public playgrounds and play spaces. An example of which was rolled out at Min Park by Wexford County Council (photo attached). This initiative is designed to help children with communication difficulties and sends out a clear message of inclusion from an early age.

REPORT:

The Council is supportive in general of measures that would increase the accessibility and inclusivity of our playgrounds and are currently evaluating the level of need for the communication boards. We have contacted our Disability Officer and her fellow Access Officers around the country and also the Special Projects Team responsible for the playground at Min Ryan Park in Wexford.

In addition, we have contacted a speech and language therapist who submitted the recent information on the communication boards, who has us information on how the proposal relates particularly to playgrounds.

We understand that many children who have this need have their own communication cards but may not always need to have them with them.  In some cases, children who have a mild or moderate disability can become unable to concentrate in a playground as it can be an overstimulating environment. In such cases the boards would help the children and parents to maintain communication and allow the child to continue using the playground. 

The Council intend investigating the feasibility of installing a communication board in the upgrade of the new Corkagh Park Playground, which is commencing shortly, on a pilot basis.  We can examine feedback from parents / children before considering their further roll out.