A Wheelchair Accessible Swing at the OW Central Park

While it is not the first, a unique equipment was installed today at the Central Park in Orange Walk Town. A wheelchair accessible swing has now been added to complement a playground at the community space where children can play freely and socialize with family and peers. The project was made possible through partnership between the Orange Walk Town Council and the Belize Tourism Board. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Today’s inauguration of a wheelchair accessible swing at the Central Park in Orange Walk Town was a step in making the child-friendly space more inclusive. This newly installed equipment falls in line with children’s rights to play, regardless of their disability.  It’s the brainchild of Deputy Mayor Doreth Pascascio.

Doreth Pascascio

Doreth Pascascio, Deputy Mayor, Orange Walk Town Council

“We already have a playground which is inclusive to special needs kids, but when you come to the Orange Walk Central Park on the weekends, you usually see all the kids are playing and I say to myself, but what happens to the kids that are in the wheelchair. So an idea popped and I said, you know what, at least we could do a wheelchair swing for these kids in the community so that they have an area or an instrument that they can come and play on.”

It is in the constituency of Prime Minister John Briceño, who was able to stop in for a brief photo op, but had to leave. His wife, Special Envoy for Families and Children Rossana Briceño was a guest speaker at the event and says that

Rossana Briceño

Rossana Briceño, Special Envoy for Families and Children

“This momentous occasion marks an impactful step and a giant leap towards a more inclusive, accessible and equitable society. With today’s inauguration, we are effectively ensuring that every child, regardless of their abilities, has the right to play, have fun and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. In the eyes of the child who will be the first to swing freely in this wheelchair accessible swing, we see hope. We see the assurance that children who are wheelchair bound will now be able to swing along with their friends, thanks to this unique piece of equipment.”

Five thousand dollars is the price tag for the new swing, which was possible through partnership with the Belize Tourism Board. Former Orange Walk Mayor and Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard says it is always great when the community comes together for a project.

Kevin Bernard

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“We want to ensure that Orange Walk also showcase that we are an inclusive community where persons with disability or diverse abilities are able to access the public spaces. You have a beautiful park behind us, playground right here but there was lacking a space where the children with disability are able to come out and also be part of the environment. And so this is a great step towards showcasing the commitment of the Orange Walk Town Council and the commitment of the community on a whole that we are an inclusive society and we welcome and ensuring that we can ensure that young people, especially our young children with disabilities have access to a space like this.”

Duane Moody for News Five.