Enabling Arena

In June, Karnataka got its first exclusive play park for children suffering from one or another form of disability. The park, located in Bengaluru, has been developed by Mindtree in collaboration with Bal Bhavan and Smart City.

Karnataka Governor Mr Thaawar Chand Gehlot inaugurated the Disabled Friendly Park on 25 June in the presence of Mindtree CEO & MD Mr Debasish Chatterjee and other dignitaries. Spread over one acre land provided by the state government in the Jawahar Bal Bhavan at Cubbon Park, the park has been developed at a cost of about Rs 3 crore under the guidance of health and child development experts and award-winning design firms.

Designed in the shape of a turtle, the park consists of different zones for a wide range of physical, mental, therapeutic, leisure and touch-and-feel activities.

The park provides a safe, inclusive, and physiotherapeutic place where children with multiple forms of disabilities can play unhindered and without the risk of accidents. This will, in turn, help improve their agility, wellness, and social skills through community and multisensory experiences. The park will benefit some 2.4 lakh children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and autism.

“It is a social and moral imperative to develop inclusive and accessible playgrounds for disabled children. I congratulate Mindtree, Bal Bhavan and everyone associated with this inspiring initiative for taking the lead in addressing a vital need,” Mr Gehlot said at the inauguration.

The Governor added that children with disabilities and their parents struggle with numerous obstacles, biases, and misconceptions in their effort to lead full and capable life.

“This exclusive park will provide them with an opportunity to feel happier, healthier, and more connected with the world around them, thus developing critical cognitive, emotional and social skills.”

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