Q and A with Umbrella mums

Umbrella mums Angie D’Arcy (right) and Jenny Kastner, pictured with Angie’s daughter Poppy, during opening celebrations.

What is The Umbrella Network?

Jenny Kastner: The Umbrella Network is families supporting families, with children of all abilities and disabilities. We support each other the best we can.

What are your thoughts about the playground project?

Group president Angie D'Arcy: I think this all abilities playground is something that was definitely needed in Townsville and it has really shown how agencies can work together – state government, community organisations and the local city council.

What does 'all abilities' mean to you?

Angie: I think it is a general shift in people's attitudes that everybody should be able to participate in anything – and that's what 'all abilities' is. It really shouldn't even come down to the word 'ability' even; it should just be as general a 'they're children and they should be able to play with everybody'.

What do you think about the concept of designing for 'all abilities'?

Jenny: I think it's good because 'inclusion' is a big word that everyone uses at the moment and a big thing that we're all trying to achieve. And, as much as this [playground caters] for children with disabilities, there is also a lot of excitement in there and a lot of different stuff … that children without disabilities want to get into too. So, it brings them all together and families as a whole come in. It's great.

Do you think involving community members in the design process is important?

Jenny: Yes, I do. I think you need a lot of different people's opinions, thoughts and experiences to be involved in one huge project [like this]. You can get everyone's ideas together – different groups, different input.

Angie: I don't think you can [design] a playground these days without actually asking the families who are going to use it because it [then becomes] irrelevant. If you're not going to asking the people who frequent it, then what is the point of doing it? So, it's vital to ask.

What elements of the Riverway All Abilities Playground benefit your family and other members of The Umbrella Network?

Angie: Here, all children can play alongside their friends, brothers and sisters, while their parents also take the time to have fun, relax and catch-up. One of the things our families like most about this new play space is its perimeter fencing, which is something many parents appreciate but is especially important for some families of children with a disability.

For my family, accessibility is also really important. Our daughter Poppy is in a wheelchair, so we need to be able to get her around and it's important for her to feel a part of it like any other child. Thankfully, there's great access throughout and everything is a fantastic height for this. The tactile and sensory play opportunities in the sensory and sound garden are also a hit with many families.

What was the role that The Umbrella Network played in the creation of this playground?

Angie: I think you have to ask families and you have to have open and honest discussions. Be aware that, with the word disability, there can be a lot of emotion and it is a process of going through that and getting to some of the productive parts of it. Pick the members of councils which are good with people; it's all about the people skills, not just people that are going to sit there and nod and go 'yep, yep, yep' and not take anything onboard. I think it is a real paradigm shift that councils have to take part in and re-engage with the community.

Soon after opening day, The Umbrella Network started hosting monthly play dates for families of children with a disability at the Riverway All Abilities Playground. In May 2010, the group also hosted their second birthday celebrations in the park.