Creating Inclusive Play spaces for Children with Physical Disabilities.  

Let’s Play is dedicated to ensuring that young children with physical disabilities have the same opportunities for play as their peers. A joint initiative of the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Province of British Columbia, Let’s Play offers grants for the creation of accessible public play spaces for children ages 0 - 6 in BC and builds awareness about accessible play and related best practices.

DEADLINE for submitting your application: Friday, January 23, 2009 at 4:30 pm

Why Accessible Play?
All children need to play. It’s essential for their physical, social and emotional wellbeing. Through play, they learn about themselves and their world, and lay the foundation for a healthy, happy future.

Accessible play spaces are inclusive – they welcome children of all abilities to play together. These spaces ensure that children with disabilities don’t miss out on important opportunities for social interaction and physical activity. They also allow parents and caregivers with physical disabilities to be nearby and play with their children.

About Let’s Play Grants
In the spring of 2009, Let's Play will be distributing grants through the second of its two funding cycles. Grants are available to qualified community groups for outdoor or indoor accessible play space projects involving new construction, renovation of an existing space, and/or the purchase of equipment. Our goal is to apply the available funds to as many play space projects as possible.

DEADLINE for submitting your application: Friday, January 23, 2009 at 4:30 pm

“Engaging in the Let's Play project has been a great learning experience.  It gave us the incentive to reach out to parents of children with disabilities, and find out more about making play spaces more enjoyable, beneficial and inclusive for all children.  It has also generated a lot of dialogue and interest.  Volunteer groups, including the North Shore Advisory Committee on Disability Issues, are excited about lending a helping hand.”

Carolyn Girard
Park Planner, District of North Vancouver

For more information please contact:   
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Let’s Play links directly with the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Schools In Motion and Wheels In Motion programs to make a difference in communities throughout British Columbia. The Rick Hansen Schools In Motion program was developed to celebrate the spirit of the Rick Hansen Man In Motion World Tour and provide students with the understanding that they can play a role in improving access and inclusion in the world around them.

Let’s Play was made possible with the support of the Province of British Columbia and its $2.5 million investment. Accessible play spaces complement ActNow BC, the Province's health and wellness initiative that promotes healthy living choices to improve the quality of life for all British Columbians. ActNow BC aims to encourage all B.C. kids to increase their physical activity levels. ActNow BC: every move is a good move.