SIX mums of children with disabilities and special educational needs are on a mission to make the town's play areas more inclusive.

The group wants to see more disabled-friendly play park equipment installed so their children don't have to sit on the sidelines and watch their siblings and friends having fun.

One of the founders, Anna Bird said: " “It is heart-breaking when we visit a park and there is no play equipment my daughter can use. Emily loves going on swings, but she is too big for a baby swing, and cannot sit on a standard swing. There are also many multi-play units that she cannot manage.”

Emily, 7, has a chromosome condition known as 5p31 duplication. It means she has profound learning disabilities and significant physical disabilities. Like many other children she loves swimming, trampolining and going to a play park.

But because she is non-verbal and developmentally around 12 to 18 months old she has little awareness of danger and needs considerable help. Her mum wants her to be able to have as much fun on the equipment as her two-year-old brother Josh does.

“As Emily can’t manage the vast majority of standard play park equipment, having it more inclusive would literally mean the difference between her being able to play alongside her little brother and her friends, instead of sitting on a bench with me,” said Anna.

“When we visit a fully inclusive play park she has a wonderful time and as a parent, it’s amazing to see that.”

The mothers on a Mission members say Swindon is lacking fully inclusive play areas and they are talking with parish councils to get them to consider making improvements.

“We believe that almost all equipment in a play area can be inclusive with just a few small design tweaks,” explained Anna, of Tadpole Garden Village.

“Our children just want to be able to play alongside their friends, and when all children can play together, families like ours feel part of the community. This challenges fears of difference and promotes inclusion and diversity.”

“Sometimes we encounter play equipment that’s clearly intended to be accessible but unfortunately it isn’t. Sometimes we come across a nest swing that’s so high from the ground that we can’t lift Emily into it.”

“And it’s not unusual to see a roundabout that has space for a wheelchair, but isn’t to the ground and is therefore not accessible. We are extremely keen to work with town and parish councils to ensure this sort of thing doesn’t happen.”

So far, Central Swindon North and Nythe, Eldene and Liden councils have approached the group.

Andrew Briggs estate manager for Central Swindon North Parish Council said: “With our own work, a vital part is engaging with people and getting information from the community about what they want.”

MOAM group has been invited to a meeting on March 4 for discussion on a recent disability accessibility report.

Andrew added: “We want to find out what they’re looking to achieve. It helps us look at what implications, if any, are needed. But we have to take into account budget restrictions and any parks with a high risk first that need to be rectified. But we’re making headway so they’re accessible to all.”

Parish Clerk Emma Clark for Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council added: “The council are reviewing their play equipment and will consult the residents shortly.”