Luke's Place has always been a special place for Fiona Myers and her two boys who have disabilities.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The latest inclusion to the specially designed playground has made the Corrimal venue that much more attractive to the Myers' family.
Wollongong City Council has installed a new braille sign to help children and carers who are blind or have low vision enjoy the playground.
Luke's Place now includes a Braille map of the internal space and equipment for carers and children.
The signage provides opportunities for all children to interact with the Braille to learn more about how some children and adults read in this way.
Mrs Myers' eight-year-old son Hayden is autistic and his two-year-old brother Korbyn has mobility issues, neurological challenges and vision impairment.
"Luke's Place is a pretty special place in that it was one of the first parks that we've ever been able to go to with the kids because it is safe and it caters to Hayden's needs with his autism," Mrs Myers said.
"Now even better it has got the braille tactile map which serves two purposes.
"It's great for Korbyn to help him learn to get around there but also inclusion as far as other kids learning about his language and what his language is going to be and how to include him in that activity.
"It was so nice to see him walking around with his walking frame. It was a little bit like dodgem cars watching him dodge everyone's legs today."
Council worked closely with Vision Australia in Wollongong to create a map that enables the children and carers to more easily navigate the playground and find equipment to play on.
"We've not heard of another children's playground where you have a sign that helps children who are blind or have low vision," Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said.
"Council's staff in Community Development worked closely with Vision Australia and a specific sign maker in Taree on this project."
Luke's Place is a specially designed playground where children of all abilities can play.
Council designed the playground with the help of local children and community members. It is named in honour of Luke Rapley, from Corrimal.
The playground features the region's first carousel that can be used by children of all abilities.
It also offers colour-coded, textured sections for children with low vision, areas where deaf children or children with limited hearing can interact with noise and vibration as well as active and quiet zones.