Groundbreaking All Ages, All Abilities playground receives people's choice at Shaping Australia awards
A revolutionary playground that was truly a labour of love has taken out one of the top prizes at the prestigious Shaping Australia Awards, announced last night (Tuesday 25 February) during a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
The All Ages, All Abilities Playground, spearheaded by the University of Wollongong's (UOW) Associate Professor Shoshana Dreyfus and located in North Wollongong, was named the People's Choice winner, receiving the highest vote count in the Community Champion category.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare MP presented Associate Professor Dreyfus with the honour, which saw the project receive close to 5000 votes from the community.
The awards, an initiative of Universities Australia, the peak body for the higher education sector, celebrate the extraordinary people that transform the nation for the better.
Associate Professor Dreyfus, a specialist in systemic functional linguistics and language disorders, was inspired by her adult son, Bodhi, to begin the playground project. Born with a severe intellectual disability, Bodhi has never been able to talk and uses non-verbal methods to communicate.
Associate Professor Shoshana Dreyfus with her son Bodhi at the playground opening in 2023.
She paid tribute to Bodhi in accepting the award and said it was an incredible win for people with intellectual disabilities.
"This award is a real win for people with intellectual disabilities. It is a win for people with all disabilities," Associate Professor Dreyfus said.
"That's what the whole project is about, creating a space that celebrates people with an intellectual disability. I hope we can inspire others to build more spaces like this around the world."
It took Associate Professor Shoshana Dreyfus many years to bring her unique idea to life: a playground for people of all ages and all abilities. She dreamed of a playground that was innovative and inspiring, a place of joy that was big enough to accommodate Bodhi. No other place like it seemed to exist, but she was confident that she could make it happen.
Around 500,000 Australians have an intellectual disability and many young adults with intellectual disability love playing at playgrounds.
However, playgrounds are typically designed for young, able-bodied children. As they grow up, people with intellectual disabilities face barriers to accessing playgrounds because of the small size and inaccessibility of the equipment and the social discomfort from families who are unfamiliar with their needs.
Associate Professor Dreyfus delivers a speech at the playground's opening.
Associate Professor Dreyfus's tireless advocacy secured more than $1 million in funding, bringing this vision to life. Opened in December 2023, in an area that welcomes more than 10,000 visitors weekly, the playground provides a joyful, inclusive environment where young adults with intellectual disabilities can engage in outdoor play within the community.
The project serves as a pioneering model for inclusive spaces worldwide, and has many unique features, including adult-sized, accessible equipment and sensory elements tailored to diverse needs.
Associate Professor Dreyfus said the playground has been a source of joy for both herself and countless members of the community.
"I can't express enough what this project has meant to me. People with an intellectual disability are one of the most marginalised groups within our society and being able to create a space that is for them, where they are welcomed and encouraged to be there, has been life changing.
"To be voted the winner of the people's choice award reflects the project's value to the entire community.
"This playground is the first of its kind, one that is truly inclusive to all, where anyone can play regardless of their size, age or intellectual or physical ability."
The brainchild of Associate Professor Dreyfus, the development and construction of the playground was driven by the community and partners from across the Illawarra, including UOW, the Australian Government, the NSW Government, Wollongong City Council, and The Disability Trust.
