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SALT LAKE CITY — More Utah families are complaining about IKEA's playground policies.
Seven-year-old Jack Tannahill has spina bifida and was also denied access to IKEA's playground.
"If they were to walk a mile in Jack's shoes they would understand how difficult it is," said Jack Tannahill's father, J.T. Tannahill.
J.T. Tannahill said his son was denied access to IKEA's Smaland playground twice, once in Virginia and once in Draper.
KSL received this statement from IKEA:
"IKEA wants to make shopping fun and safe for the many people; and this includes the children's play areas in each of our stores. Providing a safe and secure environment is of upmost importance so that all individuals and families can thoroughly enjoy the IKEA shopping experience. "As all IKEA co-workers are carefully screened, it's our policy that only authorized IKEA co-workers are allowed in the Smland/playroom. This policy protects the well-being and safety of all children in Smaland. "However, there are situations in which a parent is granted access to retrieve their child. "As for Smaland requirements, IKEA has chosen to use toilet training and height as a criterion for admission in an effort to ensure safety and security.* "*Note children with disabilities are exempt from the toilet training requirement and may enter with a diaper or pull-up." —Mona Liss, IKEA Corporate Public Relations Manager
"Due to his spina bifida, he had no control of his bowel or bladder at the time," J.T. Tannahill said.
Jack, eager to play, had a pull-up diaper on.
"They didn't allow us to check him in and my wife was pretty upset," J.T. Tannahill said.
After seeing other Utah families suffer from the same issues, he's hoping IKEA will consider changing for the sake of his son and many others.
"I don't know if it's a lack of training, a lack of supervision, understanding or if it's just plain ignorance. Whatever it is, it's wrong and it has to change," J.T. Tannahill said.
IKEA later sent another statement, saying:
"Children are the most important people in the world, and diversity is a natural and important part of IKEA. Because of this belief, we are glad to offer our customers' children a safe and fun place to play while they are in our stores. We regret that IKEA did not welcome these children and their families, and we are sincerely sorry. The safety of all children is our priority and we strive to make our policies inclusive. We will reach out to the community to help us re-examine our policies to ensure our Smaland play area is a welcoming and safe place for all children." —Mona Liss, IKEA Corporate Public Relations Manager
