It is always quite sad to see evidence that those with disabilities are not afforded the same amount of importance as other members of society.
The Camillian Home inclusive play park.
Parking spaces reserved for the disabled are often occupied by fancy cars driven by able-bodied people. Restrooms for disabled people are often used by those who can't be bothered standing in line at regular cubicles. Elevators for the disabled at BTS stations are used by people who do not want to take the stairs.
A positive could be that at least there are facilities dedicated to the disabled now — whether they are used as they should be or not is another matter. In principal therefore, they allow those with disabilities to lead as normal a life as the rest of society.
Children with disabilities in Thailand, however, have a vastly different childhood from other kids. For one thing, up until March of this year, there were no playgrounds designed to help children in wheelchairs experience the joy of something so basic as being on a swing.
The first "inclusive playground" was only recently built at Camillian Home, a home dedicated to children living with disabilities, founded by Father Giovanni Contarin. It is home to about 75 children, both residents and children who attend the day care programme, most of whom are living with disabilities, special needs and serious illnesses. Some are orphans and some were abandoned by their guardians because of the "difficulties" involved in raising a child with disabilities.
The Sensory Garden was finished in March and features only a few play facilities at the moment — adaptive swings, a playhouse, some special music instruments and a table at the perfect height for wheelchairs to go under.
The Camillian Home's adaptive swing seat with safety straps.
Faisal Malik, managing director of Camillian Home, said that countries all around the world have introduced inclusive play facilities to allow disabled children to play with their peers. The construction of Thailand's first ever inclusive play park was the result of a collaboration with many parties.
"All the engineering and architect work was done for free by Meinhardt and PL Design, so we could create the landscape and engineering plans at no cost. The synthetic grass was donated by Southwest Greens Thailand. If it was real grass, it would be too difficult for the wheelchairs to go on.
"Also, it has some foam underneath, so if the children fall they won't get hurt. Mead Johnson Nutrition sponsored the sensory musical garden section. The Embassy of Canada and the Embassy of Luxembourg sponsored the remaining sections," said Malik.
Something so basic as a table that allows children in wheelchairs to socialise with their peers had to be custom built at a factory in Chonburi. Not only did a wheelchair-friendly picnic table not exist beforehand, but the concept was also foreign to many factories. A lot of explanation was required and some factories simply refused to make them.
The special swing seats were imported from the US and designed for children with limited movement.
"On these seats, they get strapped in and experience the sensation of swinging. They enable wheelchair-bound children to safely use the swings on their own," explained Malik.
Bell, a 13-year-old girl at Camillian Home, said she particularly enjoyed playing on the swing and plays on it every day. She said she felt safe and assured that she could lean back without falling off.
"I think my friends also like the swings because they feel safe and they are a lot of fun. Before the playground was built, there wasn't much to do. I just wheeled my wheelchair around. I'm very happy that there are more things to play with," said Bell. "I hope other children who are in a wheelchair like me will have the same opportunity."
The playground is now a place where the children, regardless of their particular condition, can come out and play together every afternoon, have fun and feel part of the community. Sometimes they even get visitors and volunteers that come and play with them.
"The Sensory Garden promotes the dignity and inclusiveness of people with disabilities. Society should recognise the rights of access for people with disabilities and raise awareness about integration," Canadian Ambassador Philip Calvert said. "We believe in providing people with disabilities the same opportunities in life as any person because we believe that everyone has something to contribute to society."
- Camillian Home's 'Colors of the Heart', a fun-filled day of entertainment and activities, will be held on Sunday, 9am to 3pm. The funds raised will go towards the construction of the home's new building.
- Camillian Home is 15 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport on Luang Phaeng Road.
- Visit www.camillianhomelatkrabang.org.
