For parents with differently-abled children, things are better than they were a few years ago, but challenges remain. Maybe because perceptions haven't changed yet.
To start with, things have to change at the policy level. "Making play spaces inclusive is not a matter of BBMP (Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike) policy. Those are still seen as 'special projects'. They (BBMP officials) 'agree' to do so because a bunch of us request/ demand them to," says Kavitha Krishnamoorthy, managing trustee of Kilikili, a Bangalore-based trust that was set up to create inclusive neighbourhood play spaces for all children, regardless of their abilities, and to involve children in the design process.
But it is not that the BBMP is a villain here. In fact, it was a Kilikili idea supported by the BBMP that was lauded by UNICEF as a success story that can be emulated the world over. The Kilikili case study found a place in UNICEF's ‘The State of the World’s Children 2012’ report. The BBMP bore all costs to make the parks friendly for children with special needs.
Like in the case of Kilikili, there are more parent-led initiatives being seen in the city, according to Krishnamoorthy. Sampoorna, a music therapy centre for children with autism was initiated by a parent. Other parents have begun pre-vocational centres, centres on autism, centres for adolescents and youth, etc.
Krishnamoorthy limits her response to changes one sees in the special needs world, especially that of autism, and says today's there is greater general awareness about autism. Professionals like architects and design students have been showing interest in 'doing something' for people with autism. She has been getting requests from students of design and architecture doing projects on autism.
