Schools

Of the school-aged children in metro areas who had a disability, 89.4% were enrolled in public schools. 20% of Americans have a disability, representing 54 million people and 5 million children in the United States. Of the school-aged children in metro areas who had a disability, 89.4% were enrolled in public schools, 7.3% were enrolled in private schools, and 2.8% were not enrolled in school.
http://www.nces.ed.gov

This is why we are working to build a boundless playground.

A mother of a 9-year-old Autistic child couldn't go to a popular playground because he would take off running into the street. A mother of a five-year-old girl who was wheelchair bound, couldn't take her daughter to a regular playground because wheelchairs and sand and or woodchips are not compatible. She would lift her daughter up and take her to a piece of equipment and try to help her use it, most of the equipment wasn't compatible either.

Advocate for those who need help

One of the big problems for the disabled is that they get bored. It is hard to find activities that enhance the quality of life for those with disabilities by enabling them to have Social experiences and facilitating activities. We hope the Community will join efforts and help raise awareness and acceptance. It does take a village to raise a disabled child and to help a disabled adult. Parents need information on what is available. Currently, there are no playgrounds in Sumner County that provide opportunities to typical and special needs children for outdoor free play including physical, emotional, social, and cognitive benefits. What better way for children to learn from each other than through play.

Become an Advocate for those with special needs

As the parent of a special needs child, I have been forced to actively advocate and participate in the political, education, and healthcare system. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is real change doesn't happen at the Top. It starts in our homes, our local schools and communities, our state and then it works its way up the chain of command, not the other way around. For who can build a house without laying a proper foundation? Just something to think about, yes the presidential election is important, but don't spend so much time being sucked into the "BIG" debate, that you miss an opportunity to actually make a difference in your own community. You might be surprised at how powerful even the smallest ripple can be.

Fundraisers

Our Fundraisers and other people who raised donations for us include Taco Feeds, Silent Auctions, Basketball Camps, Garage Sales, Bake Sales, Lemonade Stands, 13-year-old took orders and Baked Cookies, Golf Tournaments, Shirt Sales, enchiladas, $1from a million people, Vacation Bible School, Quartermania, Craft Fairs, Kids from St. Joseph Catholic School, Art Show, 50/50 raffles, 50/50 Basketball bracket, Barrel Racing Food, Memorials, 4-H Horse Show Food, Leo Club at CSHS (local High School), Matching Funds,

Needs Statement

Today, at least 1 in 20, and perhaps as many as 1 in 6 Children is affected by Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), a condition where sensory signals are ineffectively interpreted in the brain. This can lead to inappropriate responses such as aggression, hyperactivity, poor engagement and emotional distress, which upsets daily routines and compromise a Child's ability to learn and work with others. (Lucy Jane Miller, PH.D., OTR).
http://www.SPDnow.org.

In every State, families with members with a disability were more likely than other families to live in poverty. Poverty rate by "Presence of Disabilities for States", Kansas 706,785 families 6.7% live in poverty compared to families with a disability in poverty 16,415 at 9.0%. Families in the South had higher prevalence rates of both disabilities and poverty for non-institutional disabled.
http://www.kidsource.com

131 out of every 1000 children ages 3 to 20 receive Federal Special Education Services under the individuals with Disability Education Act. (National Center for Education Statistics 2011 data for 2009-2010 school year). Nearly 1 in 5 people have a disability in Kansas. Before a child is deemed eligible for Special Education services under IDEA, the child must be evaluated to determine his or her disability status and educational needs. 6 for each child who is determined.
http://www.nces.ed.gov.

1 in 68 U.S. children has an Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD), a 30% increase from 1 in 88 two years ago, according to a new report released Thursday by the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2012). A 1,000% increase over the last 40 years. 1 in 800 children has Down Syndrome, and 1 in 500 children has Cerebral Palsy.
http://www.cdc.gov

60% of Students with disabilities Reported being bullied
25% of Students with typical abilities Reported being bullied
(British journal of learning 2008) http://www.bild.org.uk/

Program and Activities

"Joy and laughter" are all wonderful words that describe a playground. The project by Dilly's Place Inc is to construct a boundless playground for children 3-16 years old living in Sumner County Kansas. Old School "jungle gyms" and "monkey bars" have been removed and replaced in many communities with exciting new composite play systems, elaborate net climbers and educationally based explorative play environments on soft rubber flooring. A boundless playground is designed and constructed of materials that include a play for all children, including those with disabilities.

Instead of sand or wood chips, the flooring is constructed of a highly dense soft rubber that not only provides safety from the occasional fall, but allows easy wheelchair access to the equipment and sometimes on the equipment. Siblings are able to play together, instead of the brother or sister with the disability sitting in the grass waiting. Another amazing feature if the soft rubber is the bright color selection that makes the area very appealing to children.

The Conway Springs City Council is providing the Northeast corner of the city park for Dilly's Place, which is located at 8th and Wichita Street. The dimensions of the boundless playground will be 119'- 6" long (including parking for the handicap parking) by 62'-6" wide. There are nine pieces of equipment planned for ages pre-school to high school. The proposed equipment has a 20-year limited warranty and is safety
certified by the international Organization for standardization (ISO) and the international Playground Equipment Manufactures Association (IPEMA). Once built, the playground will be maintained by the Conway Springs Park Department and insured by the City of Conway Springs, with continued fundraising by Dilly's Place for any maintenance.

In 2003 The Centers for Disease Control reported that physical activity can improve stamina and muscle strengths in people with chronic disabling conditions and has several known benefits including reduction of functional limitations and activity restriction, preventing secondary conditions, and improving social participation and quality of life.

By Disability Type

89.7% of children with cognitive difficulties, 89.5% of children with vision difficulties, and 88.4% of children with hearing difficulties were enrolled in public schools. 9 children with ambulatory and self-care difficulties were less likely to be enrolled in Public schools.
http://www.nces.ed.gov.

Empowering Parents

Parents feel lost when they have a Special Needs, Child. Having a diagnosis does not mean help is on its way. Children with special needs are competing to get the services they need. Children with labels attract money. Children without labels don't attract any money. In the meantime services are being cut, kids that are out of control are not getting the help they need. More Children are being diagnosed each day with something.
http://www.empoweringparents.com