Play centres & wheelchairs

[Sailorsgirl44]

My cousin's daughter (age 7) is in a wheelchair. We are planning on getting together next weekend. I'm thinking of what kinds of things we could do.. my kids are 6 and 8.

It's just occurred to me how unaccessible indoor soft play centres are for wheelchair users. I appreciate the vast majority of kids aren't in wheelchairs but really there is virtually nothing in our local soft play centres for kids... I'm not even sure if the chair would fit through the gate inside the door!

AIBU for thinking they should try and have more to offer to kids who can't go in the main climbing frame. Or is it hard enough for these business owners to make a profit without having to also cater for a very small minority of kids?

You're right. Are there charities etc for physically disabled kids in this way?I'd ask them for advice and places to take the kids that may be accessible. You might just not know about them as you havent really had to consider it before. You're right though OP I cant think of a single soft play I've been to that has anything for physically disabled children (have seen some with sensory rooms for autistic children though which is good)

Have you got an accessible playground near you? Some of the ones near my old house had swings that would accommodate wheelchairs and various other equipment.

We have a local play centre for kids in wheelchairs. I believe it's the only one in Scotland.

We went to soft play, but DD could get out of her chair.

An alternative is one of those craft type cafes where you paint plates and stuff. We did that a lot.

It is difficult though. There should be more for these kids and money shouldn't be a factor. There are more kids out there than you'd think, who can't go to soft play or play parks, but the are always forgotten about. It makes me so angry.

You might be surprised at what she can do, have you asked her or her parents? DS had a school friend who would get out of her wheelchair and would pull herself round by arm strength alone. She was incredibly strong, presumably from wheeling herself round. I realise that is not the same for everyone, which is why its best to ask!