COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

MOTION NO. 19

MOTION: Councillor V. Casserly

To call on the manager to provide a wheelchair swing in Waterstown Park and reiterate the importance of providing accessible play equipment in our park. As mentioned by Stewarts Care Clients " I think it is really unfair that children with particular disabilities are confined to simply watching other children use the equipment that is already there. In particular, as Waterstown is adjacent to Stewarts it is visited by many children with disabilities who are unable to use the existing equipment. An accessible swing would represent a relatively small investment by SDCC, but it would have a big impact as there would be a disproportionately high number of children with disabilities using Waterstown Park, as opposed to other parks, because of its proximity to Stewarts. "

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council is committed to access and equality, SDCC adopted the Barcelona Declaration in June 2002. This EU-wide Declaration advocates the right of disabled people to equal opportunities, inclusiveness, and integration. SDCC has been actively implementing the Declaration ever since through various actions and access initiatives. The extensive access works and initiatives which SDCC have undertaken over the past 20 years in particular have been focused on removing the barriers that create disability and exclusion in order to create an Accessible South Dublin County.

As part of the delivery of the Playspace Programme SDCC consulted with the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design and a universal design approach has been taken which recognises the diversity of the population and ensures that our playgrounds can be used by everyone.

Universal design places human diversity at the heart of the design process so that environments can be designed to meet the needs of all users. It therefore covers all persons regardless of their age or size and those who have any particular physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual ability or disability. It is about achieving good design so that people can access, use and understand the environment to the greatest extent and in the most independent and natural manner possible, without the need for adaptations or specialised solutions.

Much of the universal design is invisible to users and concerns things like siting the playgrounds in easy to reach places, having level entry points, having clear well-placed signage and having easy to use equipment. We consider distance from car parking, access to the playground from surrounding areas and are aware that it may be the carer and not just the child who may have reduced mobility or any other disability.

Part of the brief for every playspace includes meeting the 7 principles of universal design listed below.

Principles of Universal Design

Principle

Built Environment Example

1. Equitable Use: How well does the building, place or project appear to be fully usable, and appealing to a wide range of diverse users with differing ages and personal capabilities?

Is there the same means of use for all users whenever possible, avoiding segregation – for example play equipment that everyone regardless of age, size, ability or disability can use with ease?

2. Flexibility in Use: How well does the design readily adapt or offer multiple methods of use to enable a wide range of individual preferences and abilities?

Does the Playground provide choice in methods of use, for example play equipment and the surrounding spaces designed to accommodate children of different heights, those with mobility difficulties, those who lip-read & those with visual difficulties?

3. Simple and Intuitive Use: How well does the design make it simple for diverse users to understand the important features of the building, place or project?

For example, is it easy to use the Playground & the play equipment for the first time?

4. Perceptible Information: (Sensory abilities, e.g. vision, hearing, touch). How well does the design offer multiple use options for people, especially those with sensory limitations at any age and including the use of specialty equipment or strategies?

For example, does the use of colour and materials provide visual contrast and/or tactile information to allow all children & adults regardless of age, size, ability or disability to navigate the Playground with ease?

5. Tolerance for Error: (Features that promote safe use and reduce risk). How well does the design prompt or assist the user to minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintentional interactions?

For example, is the play equipment designed with easy access, well-designed handrails and good use of materials, finishes and colours?

6. Low Physical Effort: How well does the design enable all users, including those with limited strength and stamina, to have a comfortable and effective user experience?

For example, is the various play equipment provided easy to use for all children & adults regardless of age, size, ability or disability?

7. Size and Space for Approach and Use:  (Efficient access and use for all user sizes) How well does the design enable users of diverse size, (including people who may use specialty equipment) to use the building, place or project?

For example, are the spaces in the Playground designed with sufficient dimensions to allow all children & adults regardless of age, size, ability or disability to circulate and use the Playground with ease?

With regard to wheelchair accessible swings SDCC have investigated what is available on the market.  The swings investigated to date have to be used under supervision and have to be segregated from other playground users with some type of fencing.  They are invariably large metal structures which have the potential to cause injury.  The swings need to be locked until needed and then locked again once the child has finished using it.  For this reason these swings are principally designed for facilities designed to meet the needs of wheelchair users and are not ideally suited for siting in public spaces.  We are aware of a number of public playgrounds in Ireland where these swings have been used but as they are segregated in those playgrounds they draw excessive, often unwanted attention, to those children using them and are therefore not very popular. 

SDCC aims to have inclusive equipment rather than exclusive provision.  This view is shared by the National Disability Authority and our Accessibility Officer. To allow for universal access to swings we install equipment such as basket swings or accessible swing seats which are suitable for wheelchair users and all other children.  We also have trampolines, spinners, slides, diggers which are wheelchair accessible and equal access is provided to natural play facilities and to imaginative play items. 

The council is open to suggestions on how to improve accessibility in our playgrounds.