"It can be very, very daunting," admits Lorraine Hurst, training manager for the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries. "If you're told a child with disabilities will be attending your play scheme, you think: 'I don't know enough to provide for that child!'"
Hurst understands the barriers to inclusive play - provision that is open and accessible to all kids - but is keen to offer some solutions as well.
For Hurst, whose organisation covers the UK with a network of around 1,000 toy libraries offering toy loans and play sessions that involve children, their parents and carers, the sessions should emphasise parental involvement. "A lot of our work is about showing parents how to play with children," she says. "It's not something that necessarily comes automatically. If you do have a disabled child, I think you can be frightened to try new things."
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