Special needs swings in playparks

[Sonicfif]

On a recent blog post, I've gathered information on special needs swings in play parks around Scotland.

allbornin.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/out-and-about-at-swings.html

I would like to make the list more extensive so please let me know if their is one in your area. Also what is your feeling on basket swings which are currently classed as fully accessible?

There is a basket swing in our local park, but ds doesn't like it, partly because he can't really sit up in it (so he ends up lying on his back, which he doesn't lie and which makes him look like a beetle that as got stuck) and partly because it is a bit erratic when it swings (it isn't a straightforward back and forth swinging motion, IYSWIM).

Fortunately he can still just about fit in the baby swings, but he is outgrowing them, and he is getting heavy to lift in and out.

He absolutely loves swinging (I think it is a sensory thing) so we ave one in our garden.

The nearest swing like the one in the blog, is probably swindon - I know Lydeard Park has one, and there is one in one of the parks in salisbury, but can't remember which one.

I have seen a few of these about and a roudnabout that had special places for wheelchairs :)

I dotn think thosem basket swings are accessible surely as you have to be able to lift them in and out for a start!

I will try ams think of the parks I have seen the accessible swings in, actually one is Eaton park in Norwich, its not a swing for am wheelchair but is a big seat with a five point harness type strap. It has a very high back and good head support.

I have also seen swings you can put a wheelchair on, its like a ramp and then you out brakes on, attach it and close a gate?

Its like the one in your picture except it is black :)

Thanks for the info, I will update the post to mention those swings too.

I'm going to feed back to the council park departments I've spoken to about the basket swings as they don't seem to work for anyone I've heard from so far.

I live in the SE. The only ones I have seen are in Marlow - there are two there similar to the ones in your Blog. I have only put an NT toddler in it (he thought it looked like a throne! and I better add, there was a spare one at all times!!) and at the time thought - FAB idea, but I wouldn't want to manhandle my godson with SN into it as there's no way to steady them while you put the child in. So fine if they are small/light or able to stand etc, but I suspect pretty hopeless if they can't stand & when they get too heavy :(

Most of our local parks have a 'basket' swing - but once again, not in any way ideal. One local park has a 'wheelchair friendly' roundabout and a very large seat on it with a bar across it, but once again, fine while they are small enough to be easily lifted into it, but hopeless once they are too heavy :(

There is one like your picture in the playground in Swanage Town Centre near the short stay car park. They also had one at monkey world, Dorset and one for a wheelchair too! We decided Dorset is a very inclusive area!

I'm in SE London.

Croydon Road Rec and Churchfields Rec in Beckenham both have this kind of swing:

www.playlinedesign.co.uk/activity-play/swings/full-support-swing

Dulwich Park has a wheelchair-accessible swing and a wheelchair-accessible roundabout.