Seeing Beyond Disability: Photos That Inspire a New Understanding of Difference. An

People with disabilities and autistic children in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi have just had a special playing experience at the forest garden playground on the banks of the Red River, Chuong Duong ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

Be happy with  the happiness from the smiles of people with disabilities

Images captured from the fun session made everyone touched by the rare happy smiles and sparkling eyes of people with disabilities, autistic children as well as their relatives.

People with Down syndrome and autistic children who usually close themselves in private spaces or just watch their peers play can now freely experience slides, basketball, seesaws, and swings. soap…

Needless to say, these disadvantaged children enjoyed themselves. And their parents are probably the happiest and most touched.

The happy eyes and smiles of people with disabilities and their relatives remind policymakers, managers and the community in general to pay more attention to opportunities to participate in fun and connect. society for people with disabilities.

The fun event was organized by the network “For a Hanoi worth living in”, ECUE and Think Playgrounds – Think about playgrounds in the city in conjunction with the Association of People with Disabilities in Hoan Kiem district on the occasion of International Day of People with Disabilities December 3.

This is an activity in the project promoting “Improving infrastructure to increase accessibility of people with disabilities in Hanoi to green community spaces” supported by the New Zealand Embassy.

People with disabilities can not only immerse themselves in green, clean and beautiful public spaces and have fun, but can also ask for suggestions to make play equipment, paths, etc. more convenient for people with disabilities. disabilities can easily access and use.

Think and do more for people with disabilities

Ms. Pham Thi Hien – President of the Association of People with Disabilities in Hoan Kiem District – said that this is the first time people with disabilities in the district as well as in the city have been invited to participate in practical experiences to directly contribute to the design of the stadium. play and forest garden.

This is really meaningful because they can participate in issues related to them.

Mr. Le Quang Binh, coordinator of “For a liveable Hanoi”, said that when participating in public spaces such as parks and playgrounds, people with disabilities will have equal opportunities to develop physically. , spirituality and social connection. Thereby contributing to improving educational, employment and recreational opportunities, as well as the ability to exercise civil rights of people with disabilities.

Recently, public spaces in big cities have begun to consider facilitating access and participation for people with disabilities while building facilities.

On a smaller scale, the social enterprise Think Playgrounds – Think about playgrounds in the street has recently created many playgrounds in Hanoi for people with disabilities such as: playground for blind children at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School, playground for children coming for examination and treatment at the neurological department of the National Children’s Hospital, integrated playground for disabled children in Tan Mai area 2.

This local commune enterprise is completing Phuc Tan and Chuong Duong landslide forest parks in a way that is easily accessible for people with wheelchairs and mental disabilities.

Next is the playground for children with intellectual disabilities in Tan Binh center, Ho Chi Minh City, which will be implemented in January 2024.