Letter to Minister Mah

PASIR RIS SECONDARY SCHOOL
390 TAMPINES STREET 21
SINGAPORE 529400
Tel: 6501 0800Fax: 6501 0900

21 July 2008

Mr Mah Bow Tan
Minister of National Development,
Member of Tampines GRC

Dear Minister Mah,

Suggestions and feedbacks about improving the playgrounds in Tampines

We went around looking at the various playgrounds found in Tampines neighbourhood.After visiting these playgrounds,we have come up with an idea for building a playground specially designed for the handicapped people.

The playground will have ramps to make it more accessible and it will also provide handicap accessible playing equipment for the handicapped so they can enjoy playing just like the normal children,this can make the handicapped people more cheerful and happy. The playground is covered with soft material as to cushion the child's fall so they won’t get hurt so easily when they fall.The playground will be colourful so as to attract the handicap to the playground. The playground helps the handicap to widen their knowledge they also will be able to foster friendship so that they would not be lonely the children will be able to overcome fear as there will be many challenges such as they will move around on their own with safety measures.This playground can slowly build up their own confidence as the time goes by.

As I was walking around the playgrounds in the neighbourhood,I noticed that the handicaps are always sitting by on the bench looking at the children running around and playing in the playground.It’s very upset to see that the handicaps are always left behind and this could demoralize the confidence in themselves.I seldom see handicaps trying out the playground by themselves,so if we build a specially designed playground for handicap we will be able to see more handicap
at the playground with laughter being heard miles away and their bright smiles on their faces.

We could install ramps for the handicaps to ease their accessibility to the playground.We could also design swings with seat belts for the handicap so that they will not fall so easily.The flooring of the playground should be rubber so that when they fall,they would not get hurt so easily.Railings should be included in the playground to assist them to move around more freely.

I really hope that you could look into this suggestion as soon as possible.I look forward to see the playground built for the handicap.I would also like to thank you for your precious time in reading this letter.

Yours sincerely,
Gan Ding Zhan
Student of Pasir Ris Secondary School