Mia Stewart loves playing at the park, just like any toddler, but her disability can limit her access to equipment.
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Mia was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency and her parents, Leila Bright and Brent Stewart, have to help her physically access the swings and slide.
Mia has difficulty pushing her walker over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs at existing playgrounds.
But Miss Bright said there is a way children of all abilities can play together.
She is calling on community support to fast-track council’s plan to provide play equipment for children with disabilities.
She wants an all-inclusive playground, with wheelchair access and sensory equipment for children with autism, to be built in Wagga.
“It would be such a valuable asset to Wagga,” she said.
“Play is such an important part of their development.
“If children have to sit there because they can’t access parts of the park, it’s not fair.”
During her research, Miss Bright has identified sections of council’s Playground Strategy to install disabled facilities in existing playgrounds.
Miss Bright is proposing the community bands together to develop a destination park specifically for children with disabilities or learning disorders.
Miss Bright said volunteers could easily landscape a site or raise money for equipment to encourage council to fast-track its existing plans.
“It’s going to be built eventually … but there’s means and ways of achieving that goal for accessible play in Wagga,” she said.
Community groups that can assist with labour or fundraising are encouraged to contact nbarlow@fairfaxmedia.com.au or visit Mia’s Little Leg, Big Adventure on Facebook.