In the run-up to the Special Olympics World Games, the "Stück zum Glück" campaign is drawing attention to the important topic of inclusion in childhood: around 70 children between the ages of four and eight were invited to the "Playground Special Olympics" on Tuesday (13 June). On the inclusive playground in Berlin's Dusekestraße, they completed a movement course with various accessible challenges. REWE, Aktion Mensch and Procter & Gamble are partners in "Stück zum Glück" and thus also initiators of the "Playground Special Olympics".
The children were supported by actor, author and Inkluencer André Dietz, father of a daughter with a disability, and Youtuber Leeroy Matata, who has been using a wheelchair since he was four years old. A number of representatives from "Stück zum Glück", active athletes and the official Special Olympics mascot also attended.
Inclusion means that everyone can and is allowed to take part. This is exactly what the inclusive playground creates the conditions and the right setting for. For Stefan Hörning, Chairman of the Management of the REWE Eastern Region branch, it is a pleasure to watch the children playing and doing sports together. "We are really pleased that our 'Special Olympics playground' not only draws attention to the important topic of inclusion, but also to the significance of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023," adds Hörning. Inclusion means that everyone belongs naturally. The inclusive playground provides the necessary conditions for children - with or without disabilities - to meet each other openly and without barriers. "They learn from the very beginning: Diversity is normal," says Christina Marx, spokesperson for Aktion Mensch and Head of Communication and Education.
With the "Stück zum Glück" initiative, the project partners Aktion Mensch, P&G and REWE are working together to promote inclusion. 2.5 million euros have already been raised to create new inclusive playgrounds since the start of the campaign in 2018. Over the past five years, more than 40 inclusive playground projects have been realised across Germany.
