Braille sign helps disabled children navigate Corrimal playground

The new braille sign to help children and carers at Corrimal Memorial Park

A NEW braille sign to help children and carers who are blind or have low vision has been installed at a Corrimal playground.

Luke’s Place, located in Corrimal Memorial Park, now includes a braille map of the internal space and equipment for carers and children. The signage provides opportunities for all children to interact with the braille to learn more about how some children and adults read in this way.

Wollongong City Council worked closely with Vision Australia to create the map, which will enable the children and carers to easily navigate the playground and find playground equipment.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the map is an exciting development as it allows children with low vision or who may be blind to enjoy the playground and the full range of equipment.

“We’ve not heard of another children’s playground where you have a sign that helps children who are blind or have low vision,” he said.

“Council’s staff in Community Development worked closely with Vision Australia and a specific sign maker in Taree on this project.”

Luke’s Place is a specially designed playground where children of all abilities can play. Council designed the playground with the help of children and the community.

The playground is named in honour of Luke Rapley, from Corrimal, whose parents Sean and Rita pushed for the park to be built so that their disabled son could play with other children in a safe environment.

The playground features the region’s first carousel that can be used by children of all abilities. It also offers colour-coded, textured sections for children with low vision, areas where deaf children or children with limited hearing can interact with noise and vibration as well as active and quiet zones.

More information on Council’s parks and reserves website.

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