The nearly 2.5 million students attending the 5,000+ public and private schools in the Carolinas come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities, but they have one thing in common: they all love to play.
Every child deserves the opportunity to play, learn, and grow alongside their peers. Yet traditional playgrounds often create barriers that exclude children with disabilities from fully participating in play experiences.
The students at Daniel Island School in Berkeley County, South Carolina, recognized this, which is why the student council came up with the idea last year of updating their playground equipment for students with special needs. That playground opened last month with an ”Everyone can play!” theme.
In Scotland County, North Carolina, an inclusive playground is set to be unveiled by the end of this year.
“Most of the time, kids who have disabilities get overlooked,” said Commissioner Darwin Williams. “But they do have play in them as well. Some may not be able to walk. That doesn’t mean that they don’t like having fun.”
As schools across North and South Carolina recognize the importance of inclusive education, creating an accessible playground design that welcomes children of all abilities has become a priority.
At Churchich, we understand that inclusive playgrounds aren't just about meeting compliance requirements — they're about fostering community, building empathy, and ensuring that every student can experience the joy and developmental benefits of play.
Inclusive playgrounds go beyond basic accessibility to create environments where children with and without disabilities can play together meaningfully.
While accessible playgrounds ensure that children with disabilities can use the equipment, truly inclusive spaces are designed so that all children can engage in the same activities, fostering interaction and friendship across ability levels.
The difference is significant. An accessible playground might have a ramp to reach elevated play areas, while an inclusive playground ensures that children using wheelchairs can participate in the same imaginative play scenarios as their walking peers. This approach creates richer experiences for everyone involved.
Modern inclusive playground design considers various types of disabilities, including mobility impairments, sensory processing differences, cognitive disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders.
The benefits of inclusive playground equipment include educational and social advantages as well as physical and therapeutic dividends.
Educational and Social Advantages: Inclusive playgrounds serve as outdoor classrooms where children learn valuable life lessons:
Physical and Therapeutic Benefits: Well-designed inclusive playgrounds provide therapeutic benefits while maintaining the fun factor:
Universal design principles, as well as essential accessibility features and sensory-inclusive design elements, help comprise accessible playground design.
Universal Design Principles: Effective inclusive playgrounds incorporate universal design principles that benefit everyone:
Essential Accessibility Features: Modern school playground equipment must include specific features to ensure true accessibility:
Sensory-Inclusive Design Elements: Inclusive playgrounds must address diverse sensory needs:
North and South Carolina schools must adhere to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines when designing or renovating playgrounds. These regulations establish minimum accessibility standards, but truly inclusive design goes beyond basic compliance to create exceptional experiences for all children.
ADA compliance requires specific ratios of accessible play components, transfer systems, and ground-level activities. However, the most successful inclusive playgrounds exceed these minimums, creating environments where accessibility features are seamlessly integrated into engaging play experiences.
Working with experienced designers, like Churchich, who understand both ADA requirements and inclusive design principles ensures that schools create playgrounds that are legally compliant while maximizing play value for all children.
If you have a dream of an inclusive playground for your local Carolina school, here is what you need to do:
Assessment and Community Input: Creating successful inclusive playgrounds begins with understanding your school community's specific needs:
Budget Considerations and Funding Options: Inclusive playground design requires thoughtful financial planning, but numerous funding sources can help North and South Carolina schools achieve their goals:
Design and Installation Process: Successful inclusive playground projects require careful coordination:
When children with and without disabilities play together regularly, they develop friendships and understanding that extend far beyond the playground. These early experiences shape attitudes and behaviors that contribute to stronger North and South Carolina communities.
Creating inclusive playgrounds requires specialized expertise in accessibility regulations, child development, and innovative design solutions.
Our team at Churchich combines deep knowledge of ADA compliance requirements with creative design approaches that maximize play value for children of all abilities.
Contact Churchich Recreation and Design today to discuss how we can help you design accessible playground equipment and spaces that truly include everyone, fostering connection and community through the power of inclusive play.