All children deserve to have access to a playground that allows them to have fun, socialize and get plenty of fresh air and sunshine. That’s why it’s so essential for organizations planning to develop a playground that it is suitable for everyone. If your playground was developed in an era before people prioritized making accommodations available to all, now would be a great time to fix the situation.
And if you are starting from scratch, you may have some questions about what’s needed to ensure your playground will be inclusive and fun.
About Inclusive Playgrounds
The idea of building an inclusive playground is that no one gets left out of all of the fun. This means making sure that your playground is available to all people to use.
Children who have different abilities should have the same access as everyone else. You can say a playground is inclusive when there are no barriers to people exploring all of its amenities.
Ideally, your new, inclusive playground will have plenty of equipment designed to promote engagement as well as encourage children to play together. So, equipment that’s specially designed for kids with disabilities shouldn’t be placed away from the playground in its own area. For kids to develop socially, they need to mingle with peers that are younger and older and who have a range of abilities and interests.
In a typical inclusive playground, there will be equipment for kids to have fun running around, climbing, sliding, swinging, and spinning.
Keeping all of the equipment in the playground integrated together instead of segregated by ability level makes for a more enjoyable experience for everyone. Best of all, no one will need to feel left out.
Including Everyone
Playgrounds serve to help connect members of the community. So focusing on building a playground suitable for everyone means that you can help encourage a sense of compassion for individuals, no matter what their backgrounds or abilities. The whole point is for kids and families to have a pleasant place to spend time out of doors, meeting new people, and improving their social skills.
By fostering inclusion at playgrounds, we also help to encourage individuals to get together in other walks of life, from school to work and when out in public.
This makes for a more compassionate society, where everyone knows they have a part to play, regardless of their abilities or physical limitations.
Accommodations for All
To adhere to the Americans With Disabilities Act, you’ll want to make sure your playground offers accommodations to those with physical disabilities.
So, the playground will include specialized swings so all children can soar in the air. You’ll also need to install a route that is wheelchair-accessible.
Needless to say, just as we need curb cuts at city streets to allow wheelchair riders to participate in society, we also need ramps and transfer points for those who use wheelchairs in playgrounds.
Ready to Create an Inclusive Playground But Not Sure How to Start?
Building a new playground can be a complex undertaking that’s best done with the help of seasoned professionals who are devoted to promoting fun for kids. That’s where Churchich Recreation can help. We have many years of experience in playground setups and welcome the opportunity to assist you.
If you have questions about what’s involved in planning and setting up an inclusive playground, the experts at Churchich Recreation are here to help. For more information or to request a consultation, please get in touch with us today.