Creating an All Abilities Playground

What are the benefits of an inclusive playground?

By creating an inclusive all abilities playground, you help to break down the barriers.  When children of all ages and all abilities can play together they help to change the negative perceptions of people with disabilities. By building a playground where children, adults and caregivers can come together and interact we are helping to build an inclusive and fun environment for everyone in the community.

The Public Playground

The public playground is a foundation for child development. It’s where a child is free to run, play, jump, climb and explore. It’s a place where children of all ages, sizes and abilities can come together and interact, they learn from each other and evolve as young adults. Creating a playground that is inclusive for all children, regardless of abilities or disabilities, is something that can benefit the whole community.

It is important when creating an inclusive playground that you not only have elements of accessible design but also create a playground that is usable by everyone of all abilities or disabilities.

You create a playground that is accessible by incorporating the needs of everyone into the design. Using rubber softfall for the surface makes a playground easily accessible to children in a wheelchair or on crutches. Installing ramps instead of stairs allows children to easily access the upper reaches of playground equipment. Having quiet spaces allows people & children with autism to calm down quickly and prevents them from being overwhelmed by a busy playground area.

Challenges for children of all abilities

An inclusive playground should have a range of challenges for kids of all age groups. There should be climbing challenges and it should still incorporate slides and swings. Instead of a standard swing, you can incorporate a bird’s nest swing or better still a wheelchair swing, which allows several children at once to play on it, and also caters for children with disabilities or are in a wheelchair. By creating a sensory environment around the playground with different plants, sand and water elements, such as a pond or water play space; you can engage the whole community.

For more information on creating an inclusive, all abilities playground contact us today.

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