With a sprawling sensory garden, an indoor games area and accommodative swing sets, children with disabilities in Madurai finally have an open area to run around and play without being stared at.
The gates of the State’s first ‘Disabled Friendly Park’ was opened as part of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) to increase green cover on Alagar Kovil Road here on Saturday. As a parent of a child with special needs, A. Chandrasekaran, the Managing Trustee of Madurai Group Living Foundation (MGLF), said parents craved an inclusive outdoor atmosphere with basic amenities.
For parent and child
“Other children are usually scared of children with special needs in regular parks. All attention is on our children and that makes the experience less wholesome. This park is a common space made for both the parent and the child to gain some peace,” he said.
MGLF, an organisation of parents who have children with disabilities, followed Karnataka and replicated the model here. They pitched in ₹15 lakh for the project, while the Corporation contributed ₹25 lakh. The organisation will take care of the development and maintenance of the area for the next three years.
The park has a garden which helps in stimulating the five senses. Fragrant flowers, acupuncture paths to walk on and a generous bedding of Mexican grass has been carefully selected and laid out. The area offers a host of slides, a family swing, merry-go-rounds and a throwball court.
Special railings have been in put in place to ensure that children are comfortable. The park is ramp-friendly. “We saw some parts of the park online and wanted the same here,” said P. Bala Subramanian, a trustee.
The park will soon have wheelchair-friendly toilets and a large fish tank. About 10-20 volunteers would ensure safety and upkeep.
Psychiatrist Dr. C. Ramasubramanian, who guided MGLF through the process of establishing the park, states that the park will help children with special needs to overcome anxiety when they interact with other children.
Parents are excited about the prospect as they can finally walk out of home and entertain their children. “Malls and other public spaces are usually uncomfortable. Now we have a free environment,” said a parent of a child with autism.