Wheelchair swing makes park disabledfriendly

JULIA WADE

10 Apr, 2023

Children with disabilities and who are dependent on a wheelchair to get around can still have some fun at Waipu’s Waihoihoi activity park now a special swing has been installed.

Unveiled on March 18 in front of guests including Whangarei mayor Vince Cocurullo, the wheelchair swing was made possible by Whangarei District Council, and the fundraising efforts of charity organisation Children with Disability NZ [CDNZ] whose mission is to make New Zealand ‘the most disabled child-friendly region in the world’.

With a price tag of just under $40,000, CDNZ founders Kylee Ostermann who is proud mum to son Alex who is disabled, Glen McMillan and Charlie Bonner Germain raised $10,000 and the council made up the difference.

“The swing is very easy to access and use, not requiring any key or locks,” Kylee says. “Its position is central so the kids can also watch other children playing.”

The trio came together two years ago after noticing the wheelchair swing was removed from the Whangarei Basin playground during an upgrade and received little response to their inquiries. CDNZs next project is to fundraise towards an inclusive seesaw for a Whangarei park.

“Playgrounds are all too often inaccessible for the disabled and lack any kind of equipment for disabled children to play on,” Kylee says. “We want to see more inclusive playgrounds as every child deserves to feel joy and be part of the community.”

Children with Disabilities NZ co-founders (from left) Charlie Bonner Germain, Kylee Ostermann, Whangarei mayor Vince Cocurullo and Glen McMillan, with Kylee’s son Alex enjoying the brand-new swing in Waipu Park. PHOTO/SUPPLIED