On September 26, families, educators, therapists, and donors gathered at Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton schools to celebrate the launch of a brand-new, fully accessible playground designed to welcome children of all abilities.
Following years of extensive research, planning, and consultation, the eagerly awaited three-million-dollar playground project is now ready to welcome the children for whom it was built. School principal Irini Margetis shares that "the students and staff have been eagerly awaiting the completion of this project" and that they "couldn't be more thrilled."
Habilitas Foundation partners with EMSB and CIUSSS West-Central Montreal to bring fully adapted playground to life at Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton Schools.
Every element of the design has been carefully considered and selected with input from members of CIUSSS West Central Montreal's Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services team who played a pivotal role in ensuring the playground's accessibility.
Special features include high colour contrast and varying textures to support children with visual impairments, a large communication board to facilitate communication by non-verbal children, a wheelchair-adapted merry-go-round and swing, and the use of materials specially vetted to ensure no interference with the cochlear implants worn by some of the students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Habilitas Foundation partners with EMSB and CIUSSS West-Central Montreal to bring fully adapted playground to life at Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton Schools.
Mary Lattas, Director of Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services for the CIUSSS shares that her team "focuses daily on fostering inclusivity and accessibility" and that they "are thrilled to have contributed to the development of such a groundbreaking initiative."
Joe Ortona, Chair of the English Montreal School Board to which both schools belong, adds that the building and launch of this playground "is a significant milestone for the schools," and that "the EMSB is deeply grateful to everyone involved."
The undertaking was initiated by Habilitas Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising and dispersing funds for projects and programs in service of people of all ages living with physical disabilities and was championed enthusiastically by campaign co-Chairs Pierre and Catherine Boivin. Catherine herself a former MAB-Mackay student, shares that she and her father "are extremely grateful for the generous response of everyone who participated in making this vision a reality, and for the time and dedication that was invested by all parties. We look forward to seeing the playground filled with smiles every day and hope this adapted playground will inspire others to think about universal access to play for children everywhere in Montreal."
The Boivins worked closely with the Habilitas Foundation to bring funders and experts together in service of the project. Matthew Chausse, Chair of the foundation's board of directors shared that for him and the foundation, "seeing the long-awaited project come to life is incredibly gratifying. Knowing [Habilitas Foundation was] able to help bring together the will, expertise, and financial support of so many dedicated parties to provide children with a safe place to play, and the staff with an additional tool to elevate their work, just feels so good."
In addition to being fun and engaging spaces, studies show that playgrounds are vital for children's development enhancing imagination, coordination, social skills, and self-esteem, but for fifth grade student Avi and his mother Alana its far more personal. In Alana's words, "the project is tangibly life changing. Where Avi used to spend recess on the sidelines in his wheelchair, he'll now be able to play and have fun with the others. The quality of his day-to-day life will drastically improved. We're so grateful."
EMSB Director General Nick Katalifos expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone involved. "I am so proud to have been part of the group that contributed to the realization of this beautiful project," he said.
