More than 200 children aged between six and 18 entered the Access All Areas art competition last month, organised by Children in Scotland in collaboration with Scottish Borders Council. The 14 winning entries, which are featured in the AAA 2005 calendar, show the obstacles some children face in their education.
Seven-year-old Adam Blackbrook Szwagrzak from Halyrude Primary was among the winning entries. His drawing, 'It's hard for people in wheelchairs to go up ramps', pictured, is featured in the May issue of the calendar with the description, 'It wood be hard for pepel in weelchers to go up steps peepel in weelchers that can go up ramps is eseer for them.'
Another entry stated, 'It's not just about wheelchairs.'
The competition is part of the Borders' AAA project, which aims to involve children and young people in developing local accessibility strategies and runs until April 2006.
Caroline Dunmur, participation officer at Children in Scotland, said, 'The project looks at accessibility in a broad way - not only at the physical aspects, but also at tailoring the curriculum to suit children's needs and the importance of being part of the school community.
'The children's work reveals that accessibility is as much about social issues at school - making friends and being involved in sport - as it is about improving physical access to the school building.'
Scottish Borders council funds the project and works closely with Children in Scotland to convey messages from children and young people. Limited copies of the calendar are available from Caroline Dunmur on 0131 222 2429.
