A campaigner has said the lack of indoor recreational spaces for disabled adults is "absolutely ridiculous" and is asking the council to take action.
Jordan South, 23, suffers from Cerebral Palsy and Scoliosis as well as learning difficulties, and says there is a lack of indoor recreational spaces for disabled adults in Leeds. This has left him feeling "incredibly isolated" and has a serious impact on his mental health, as well as the mental health of other disabled adults in the city.
He is now calling on Leeds City Council to take action to set up more spaces in the city and has launched a petition to gather support.
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According to Jordan, the lack of spaces often has a profound impact on his mental health. He said: "It's not good and that's why we've got to do it, to ensure that it provides for everybody and they don't have to feel that way because it's absolutely horrible.
"Especially in this day and age, when they're all about being inclusive, but for some odd reason they never seem to do anything that seems to help improve access for people with special needs and learning difficulties.
"I think that this would be an incredibly good idea and that's why I decided to do it, so it allows people to have access to indoor recreational facilities that cater to their needs and they can access with their loved ones and parents and carers and friends."
His petition calls for providing access to a safe and accessible "multi-level indoor recreational soft play setting" which is specifically designed for those "aged 16 years old and over with additional needs".
Despite the efforts of Jordan, his carer and his family, he has been unable to find somewhere in West Yorkshire which fits his needs. Another benefit, Jordan argues, would be in allowing people with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Wheelchair users and others to be themselves in an area designed for them.
A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: "The council is proud of the work it does to ensure Leeds is an inclusive city that offers leisure, play and recreation opportunities for all.
"A number of our service areas, with support from key partners, provide a wide range of facilities and activities that cater for the needs of disabled people, from wheelchair athletics and climbing wall sessions to basketball, gymnastics, swimming, sailing and much more at various venues around the city. The council is also committed to providing the best possible access to its leisure centres for all residents.
"In addition, we are intending to run recreation sessions at Middleton Leisure Centre for people with special educational needs or learning disabilities, using the site’s existing soft play facility in combination with its soon-to-open sensory room. Disabled-friendly sessions also form part of our plans for a new adventure playground at Fearnville Leisure Centre, while the indoor play facility currently under construction at Temple Newsam’s Home Farm will include a wide range of accessible elements.
"We are, of course, always looking for ways in which we might be able to further enhance our leisure, play and recreation offer and would therefore be happy to meet with Mr South and explore his ideas in more detail as we shape our strategies for the future."
If you want to support Jordan's petition, you can sign it here.
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