A Guide to Accessibility in the Playground

By Nic Moss

Playgrounds play a crucial role in child development by offering opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and imaginative play. They help children develop motor skills, confidence, and resilience through activities like climbing, running, and exploring while also encouraging emotional and social growth as kids play cooperative games. The benefits of playing on playgrounds are numerous, but if these spaces aren't designed to be inclusive, not all children can take advantage of them. However, playgrounds created with accessibility and inclusion in mind can promote a sense of belonging and encourage friendships among children of all abilities as they learn and grow together.

Understanding Accessibility

Accessibility refers to the design and creation of spaces that can be easily navigated and used by everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. In the context of playgrounds, accessibility means that children with disabilities have equal opportunities to play and interact with their peers. The Americans With Disabilities Act sets guidelines for accessibility at playgrounds and in other public spaces, ensuring that all children can use at least some part of the play equipment together. But the ideal play space goes beyond the minimum requirements of the ADA to be truly inclusive, incorporating basic elements like ramps and wide pathways as well as a good variety of adaptive play equipment and sensory-friendly areas to accommodate a variety of needs.

Inclusive play areas benefit all children, providing a space where they can hone physical skills like balance, coordination, and strength as well as build important social skills by playing with their peers, such as patience, teamwork, and empathy. And playing together fosters a sense of belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and boosting self-esteem. Ensuring that all children can access and use the equipment on a playground can be an essential part of building a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive community.

Key Features of an Accessible Playground

An accessible playground should be thoughtfully designed to ensure that children of all abilities can play together. At a minimum, accessible play areas should include flat, level paths and cushioned play surfaces that are easy to navigate with a wheelchair or walker, including ramps where they're needed. Play structures and spaces should also include ground-level features that are fun to use, like musical instruments and activity panels, and larger structures should be made accessible in some way: The minimum requirement is to have a transfer platform that children can use to climb onto the structure from a wheelchair, but it's preferable to have a fully accessible structure built with ramps that allow children with disabilities to play independently.

A truly inclusive play space should also include a variety of equipment that all children can use, such as swings with adaptive seats and merry-go-rounds that are wheelchair-accessible. It's also important to have sensory play equipment, such as tactile panels, musical elements, or interactive features, to cater to children with sensory needs and encourage them to explore different textures, sounds, and visual stimuli. These types of playground equipment can be fun for all children to use together or on their own.

• Inclusion in Playgrounds: Why Is it Important?
• Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas
• Evidence-Based Practices for the Design of Inclusive Playgrounds
• Principles of Inclusive Playground Design
• The Role of Playgrounds in the Development of Children's Fundamental Movement Skills
• Gross Motor Skills on the Playground
• Adaptive and Inclusive Playground Equipment
• Inclusive Play Is Important to All Children
• Five Facts About Accessible or Inclusive Playgrounds
• Equal Opportunities for Every Child
• Fully Accessible Play Structures
• Inclusive vs. Accessible Playgrounds
• How Inclusive Playgrounds Help All Children Learn and Play
• Framework for Designing Inclusive Playgrounds
• ADA Checklist for Accessible Play Areas
• Inclusive Design Ideas for Swing Sets and Playsets
• Everything You Should Know about Sensory Play at Playgrounds
• The Key Elements of Inclusive Playgrounds

Learn About the Author

Nicolas Moss

A CPSI-certified playground inspector, Nic has been with AAA State of Play for over three years. Nic has a keen interest in playground design, construction, and installation, and he uses this passion to drive his work to new heights. In his free time, Nic enjoys hanging out with friends and living life to its fullest.

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