Let’s Talk: Inclusive Playgrounds

Child in white shirt and khaki pants hangs from playground equipment.

Inclusion Looks like a fun play date at the Park. (See what our models are wearing)

Click on the model’s name to find out what they’re wearing.

A BIG thank you to our models:

Play is so essential in childhood and every kid deserves to do so. Children with disabilities should rightfully have access to the same or properly-adapted playground equipment as their peers without disabilities; and know that their playground is a safe place where they can have fun freely. Inclusive playgrounds allow children (and adults) of all abilities to interact with each other and do what everyone wants to do: PLAY!

An inclusive playground is intentionally designed so that children of all ages and abilities can play, be challenged, and have fun together. It goes beyond basic wheelchair accessibility and ensures that all kids have an inviting and enjoyable playground experience where they can develop critical physical, social and emotional skills.

Easy Dressing that’s Adaptive, Functional & Fashionable Too!

Inclusion In Playgrounds: Why is it important?

A child’s understanding of the world often starts with play and all children can benefit from inclusive playgrounds. When all kids are offered opportunities to play together, it opens up healthy behavioral and social skills that are vital later in adult life. Aside from promoting social interaction between children of diverse backgrounds and abilities, critical skills that are immensely useful later in life are developed through inclusion in playgrounds, too.

Ava Binion waving while Alivia Thompson climbs on a rope structure at an inclusive playground.

Photo by Yosay Photography.com

Common benefits of playing together in an inclusive play area include:

An instilled sense of independence and confidence in all children
Interaction with peers who have unique abilities and needs
Children without disabilities learn how to work out conflicts peacefully and respectfully by listening to their peers’ ideas and feelings, and following rules set by the group.
Children with disabilities can now be included in play and develop social awareness.
Because of adaptive and modified playground equipment, children with disabilities are encouraged to try new activities.
Interaction in inclusive play settings is essential for children with disabilities who may be at risk for isolation and bullying.

5 Things All Inclusive Playgrounds Should Have!

1.Provide Multi-sensory Play Experiences:

All kids learn at their own pace, and sensory experiences help all kids explore their world and develop motor skills, physical strength and cognitive functioning.

2.Encourage All Kids to Play by:

Providing a graduated range of challenge
Grouping similar equipment together
Offering equipment for multiple age groups
Providing real choices of play for each child

3. Allow Greater Accessibility by:

Making sure all kids can access the right equipment selections; kids with wheelchairs, crutches or differing ranges of motion can play on protective, shock-absorbing unitary surfacing, wide movement routes and have smooth, even transitions on and off equipment.

4. Support Kids on the Autism Spectrum by:

Providing playground equipment that stimulate their senses without overwhelming them like cozy, quiet spaces, establishing perimeter paths and fences and providing a wayfinding system that includes an orientation path.

5. Create Welcoming Social Environments

Kids in each stage of development play in different ways. Some want to interact and play games with their friends, while others want a space to play by themselves or with some social proximity to peers.

Tips on how parents can encourage their special needs child to play at an all-inclusive playground.

DO NOT go to the playground when there is high traffic. There may be special days and times for only special needs children and families (less crowded to help highly sensitive children adjust to new surroundings). Check their website to find out what’s available.
At their first visit, walk around the playground area. Navigating around the play equipment will help the child become more familiar with the playground. Ask them to point to the equipment they would like to play on.
Plan a play group with friends to the playground and pack a picnic lunch.
Sand play has always been a popular social area. Bring their own bucket and shovel or maybe dump trucks to play with others. A great sensory area to enhance their playground experience.
Bring a special toy with them to share with a new playground friend.

Three children sitting and standing on a playground, with a yellow slide behind them.

Photo by Yosay Photography.com

Additional Tip: Playing at the park should also be comfortable
Inclusive Design Features Parents Should Know About

With retailers like Zappos Adaptive leading the adaptive fashion movement by showcasing inclusive products with features that make getting ready for school easier and more comfortable than ever.

If you are planning to shop online for back-to-school clothing and footwear, children with disabilities have more and more options for footwear and clothing that are both fashionable and functional.

Here are 3 design features all parents should know about while shopping for back-to-school footwear and clothing.

Easy Dressing: From hidden magnetic buttons, elastic waistbands and hook and loop closures, many designers are adapting their clothing to include easy open/close elements.
Sensory-friendly: Sensory-friendly clothing is designed to consider the needs of people with sensory sensitivities. Elements include flat seams, soft fabrics, and heat-stamped labels instead of fabric tags.
Easy on/off: Many footwear brands are incorporating elements into their shoes to make them easier to get on and off. Brands are using alternate closures like zippers to make getting ready for school quicker and easier than ever.

The Walnut Grove Inclusive Playground is our Featured Playground.

This all-inclusive playground is located in Canfield, Ohio. It was completed in the summer of 2019.

The playground sits on 1 acre of land with play equipment that covers all forms of motor development sills. Including accessible and challenging slides, swings, climbing and balancing apparatuses, ramps, interactive panels, musical instruments and a sand area to name a few.

The land for this playground was donated by Mr. Robert Halstead. It was his vision to see that children of all abilities would be able to play, learn, interact and enjoy one another.

The Walnut Grove board was formed to help fulfill his wishes and today the playground is visited by many children and families, both typical and exceptional, from all over the area and other states as well.

Thewalnutgrove.com by Liz O’Hara

Learn more about:

Inclusion

Classrooms

Peer-Buddy Programs

https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/top-10-parks-worth-playing-at-inclusive-parks-where-everyone-can-have-fun/

More Inclusion

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This post originally appeared on our July/August 2022 Magazine