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Parents: Our children need N U F E H T N I O J E M CO better toilets to enjoy park UT O S S I M T ’ N O D A great Disabled facilities criticised
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By Eva Astreinidou
PARENTS of children with disabilities are campaigning for more accessible toilets in a revamped play park so their children can enjoy the facilities as much as any other. When the £615,000 new look for Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow was opened in June, parents were delighted with the new facilities. But now, there are calls for better provision for all youngsters at the Vale of White Horse-run facility prompting parents to launch a petition which has so far collected more than 300 signatures. Mother-of-two Samantha Bennett, from Abingdon, is asking for the council to ‘make a change and do it right’. She said her five-year-old son has a disability and requires a hoist and bench facility to be able to go to the toilet with dignity. She added: “If the Vale refuse to alter their plans to include a changing place, they are denying access to my son to use the wonderful accessible park. This means that when his brother, cousins and friends go to the park, he has to stay at home because there is nowhere to change him.” Mum-of-three Karen said: “Why go to the trouble of making the park
more accessible to disabled people if these visitors are unable to use the toilets or changing facilities provided? “Wheelchair users who cannot self-transfer require an adult-sized changing bench and hoist to use the toilet or to have pads changed. Visitors with other disabilities may also require access to a changing bench.” Abbey Meadows consultation group spokesperson, Naomi Richardson, said: “The Vale are providing the absolute bare minimum in accessibility, using out of date standards that are soon to be replaced, so the toilets will be obsolete as soon as they are built.” In response to the complaints, Councillor Charlotte Dickson, cabinet member for leisure at Vale said: “We are continuing to work towards providing new public toilets at Abbey Meadow. “The plans for the toilets received planning permission earlier this year and were designed to national accessibility standards. Officers recently met with residents about the accessibility of these plans and are now considering their concerns.” The revamped play area included new equipment and pathways as well as the new toilet facilities. To sign the petition, visit https:// tinyurl.com/yde4fz87.
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Members of the military past and present took to the streets of Wantage on Sunday to mark the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Residents turned out in force to honour the country’s heroes. For more pictures see pages 8&9
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