Alaina Hood, along with parents, Chrissy and Kevin, traveled to Washington, D.C. June 3-4 to talk with members of Congress about the need for federal policies that support state and local efforts to make outdoor playspaces and recreational areas more accessible to children and adults who are disabled. Her trip was part of a national advocacy initiative in partnership with KABOOM!.
KABOOM! is a national non-profit that works to end playspace inequity in communities across the country. Over the course of its nearly 30-year existence, KABOOM! has built more than 17,000 playspaces in nearly every part of the country.
“Tennessee is leading the way in many ways regarding accessibility such as the adult changing table grants and our State Parks being the most accessible State Parks in the nation, but Tennessee also recognizes the importance of play for the physical and mental health of children with the passage of the TN Recess Time Bill,” Chrissy Hood said.
“Having an inclusive playground that allows everyone to safely play together in their community is what KABOOM! is all about,” she added. “When children play together, they develop a sense of community and belonging, and it is just fun! Our daughter Alaina has multiple disabilities, but when you have a playground that considers the needs of everyone in the community, then they develop relationships. So, Alaina then develops relationships with her community members. Members who could grow up to be her banker, social worker, employer, nurse, pharmacist, store clerk, etc. Community members who value Alaina, know her and want what is best for her.
“We are grateful for the opportunity Alaina had to go to D.C. to share with several U.S. congressmen and senators about the importance of inclusive outdoor recreational spaces, as well as the wonderful things Tennessee is doing. A special thank you to Senator Blackburn’s staff for meeting with us, and Congressman DesJarlais for taking extra time with Alaina.”
The goal of this initiative is to bring kids and their families from across the country to meet with members of Congress so they can talk about the important role outdoor play has in their lives. This type of advocacy is an extension of KABOOM!’s community co-design process, where kids and local residents help design and select the features that will come to create their playspace which KABOOM! constructs with volunteers. Extending that participatory design process to self-advocacy is both a demonstration of the similar skills needed for both and a commitment to the principle that kids and local communities know what they need most and should have opportunities to give voice to those needs.
“Kids are at the heart of everything we do, and their voices need to be heard as a part of the decision-making about the spaces that will shape their childhoods,” said Tamara Grider Harris, vice president, Marketing and Communications at KABOOM!. “We are grateful to Alaina and her family, and other participating kids to prioritize youth advocacy so kids grow up having all that they need to grow up happy and healthy.”
Alaina and her family met with Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Scott DesJarlais from the Tennessee delegation. They also met with the offices of other members of Congress, including Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.
KABOOM! is already working on next year’s D.C. Advocacy Day. To learn more about KABOOM! and the work it is doing in Tennessee or how to become an advocate for inclusive outdoor play and recreation, visit kaboom.org.
—KABOOM!
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