Inclusion services for children with special needs

Proposal

Creating more activities for people with special needs, also involving other city residents, as well as creating educational projects for youngsters about people with special needs facilitating their engagement and understanding.

*Consideration of special needs at Helsinki playgrounds
Equipment will be procured for playgrounds in different parts of Helsinki to take into account children with special needs. For example:
-Picture boards to support communication (e.g. expressing desires, adjectives, emotions, nature pictures) - materials should be durable and cleanable;
-Playground equipment for children with reduced mobility and mobility needs (swings, carousels, slides on stairs, guardrails);
-Sensory boards;
-Sandboxes that can be wheelchair accessible (opportunity to play sand games at a higher level so that it's possible to participate in sandbox games from the wheelchair).

*'Playing boards' in Viittomakieli (Sign language)
Locating such 'sign boards' at playgrounds and in schools will create bonds & more understanding between children and will make kids want to learn small signs. At the same time it will mean the world to those with disability, as we know how great is their everyday struggle to communicate properly with others.
We suggest to make this mandatory in Finnish schools to introduce our kids to the Viittomakieli signs providing every child with the exact same amount of attention, love and understanding. This project can be started in Helsinki and, if it works great, spread throughout Finland.

Budgeting:
-Hiring a project coordinator & renting the premises to implement more activities for people with special needs (if the budget allows)
-Equipment and materials for playgrounds (pilot project can be implemented on 1-2 playgrounds, more if the budget allows)
-'Playing boards' in Viittomakieli (Sign language)

# 'Neighbourhood Mothers' community proposal and idea 'Creating more activities for people with disabilities' (Nicehearts ry) #

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