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The Importance of Inclusive Designs in Commercial Playgrounds

As it is the right of every child to engage in play, commercial playgrounds should be the first places that cater to these needs. The importance of every playground and type of play equipment embracing inclusive design lies in achieving the vision that all kids of different ages, abilities, and needs can experience the joy of play without limits and discrimination.

Understanding the Principles of Inclusive Playground Design

Inspired by the 7 Principles of Inclusive Design for Commercial Buildings, theUtah State University Center for Persons with Disabilities has established a comprehensive design guide for creating a play area that can accommodate more diverse abilities, interests, and backgrounds than standard commercial playgrounds.

  1. Be Fair: Every child should have access to play opportunities and equitable playground equipment tailored to their needs. No one should be left out, regardless of their abilities and needs.
  2. Be Included: Playgrounds incorporating accessible features and multiuser play equipment promote flexible access and social interaction, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion among children.
  3. Be Smart: By combining creativity and innovation, playground areas can become more versatile and easy to use with adaptive technology and flexible, multi-use equipment for children's evolving needs.
  4. Be Independent: Inclusive playgrounds empower children's growth by encouraging independent exploration, building confidence, and enjoying play on their own terms.
  5. Be Safe: Safety is non-negotiable regardless of the playground type. Compliance with safety standards, durable commercial-grade materials, and safety surfacing installation greatly lessen the risks of injury.
  6. Be Active: Outdoor play structures promoting movement and engagement are essential for children's physical health and development.
  7. Be Comfortable: Comfort in inclusive playground design can be achieved with supporting amenities such as shade structures, resting areas, and sensory features that cater to kids and other playground visitors.

Ensuring Accessibility for Children of All Abilities

Inclusive playgrounds go the extra mile to accommodate kids with special needs. Here are some ways to secure accessibility within children's play environments:

Go beyond ADA Standards

While the mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines are essential, they do not guarantee full accessibility for the play equipment and playground area. True inclusivity is achieved when diverse abilities and needs are addressed through thoughtful planning and not just relying on compliance. Going beyond the set standards unlocks doors for more children with unique needs to participate in the world of play.

Provide Safety and Accessibility Features

Playground safety and accessibility should work hand in hand in every inclusive playground design. Features such as safety surfacing options, heavy-duty materials, and outdoor play equipment with approved safety standards like the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guarantee a secure environment that can support children for a long time. In addition, ramps, transfer stations, and wheelchair-friendly pathways improve kids' access to commercial playground equipment and play areas.

Ensure Independent Movement and Clear Signage

Inclusive playgrounds can provide more freedom and clarity in navigation through clear pathways, visible signage, and intuitive layouts. Clear signage may include visual and tactile cues, while wide walkways can be designed with contrasting colors and visible markers. These supporting features encourage independence and confidence, allowing children to explore and interact freely with less adult assistance.

Provide Variety in Play Experiences

Place accessible play equipment beside standard playground staples. Some play options include adaptive swing sets, inclusive climbers, and sensory interactive panels that can improve their motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social flair regardless of abilities or age. Consider the playground users' age groups and developmental stages to accommodate their play experiences efficiently.

Promoting Social Interaction through Diverse Play Elements

Another key benefit of inclusive play designs is the room for more social interactions among children. Consider the following outdoor play equipment types for enhancing their social skills:

Cooperative Play Structures and Multi-use Equipment

Several types of freestanding playground equipment, such as swings, seesaws, and spinners, allow multiple kids to play together and develop essential traits like cooperation, turn-taking, and problem-solving skills. Children can also explore new strategies for tackling versatile types like play structures, tunnels, and climbers with their fellow playmates.

Role-Play and Imaginative Play Areas

Outdoor play equipment such as playhouses, forts, and playground structure options with pirate ships, medieval castles, or enchanted forest themes can support children's imagination and role-playing skills. By immersing themselves in pretend scenarios and creative narratives, children get to discover social norms and develop their interpersonal skills through shared experiences.

Loose Parts for Creative Play

Loose materials like blocks, ropes, and sand are another interesting outdoor playground equipment that promotes open-ended play that enhances creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Children can work together in building new worlds and discovering new approaches to unstructured play.

Incorporating Sensory-Friendly Features into Play Areas

Sensory-friendly features accommodate the play experience for kids with sensory needs. Consider the following elements when designing inclusive play areas:

  1. Quiet and Calming Spaces: These dedicated spaces provide children breaks from overstimulation and brief rests before returning to exciting play adventures. These safe environments can vary from shaded seating and reading nooks to sensory gardens.
  2. Multi-Sensory Zones: Playground structures like musical instruments, water play, and interactive panels stimulate children's auditory, visual, and tactile senses. Allocating zones with this play equipment promotes early holistic development and multiple skills, especially for children with sensory needs.
  3. Varied Textures and Materials: Adding textures and materials to commercial playground equipment can elevate the whole play experience. Rubberized surfaces, sand, and soft grass invite kids to interact and explore the curious world of senses.
  4. Soothing Colors and Natural Elements: Nature elements and soothing colors are some popular playground themes that contribute to stress-free play environments. Soft pastels and earth tones promote calming effects that reduce overstimulation. Logs, stones, and plants are some natural features that encourage imaginative play and create an immersive connection with nature.

Evaluating the Long-Term Benefits of Inclusive Playgrounds

Communities with inclusive play areas have proven to have multiple advantages reflected throughout children's growth. Here are some ways to evaluate these inclusive playground benefits:

Track Developmental and Health Outcomes

Children's visible social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development indicate an effective, inclusive commercial playground equipment and play environment. Elementary school students have different health and developmental outcomes than older children, so it is important to account for the varying physical capabilities, emotional well-being, and social dynamics according to age groups.

Access Actual Community Engagement and Usage Rates

An inclusive playground's measurable success can be seen through how frequently and diversely it is used. The type of activities, the number of visits, and the user profiles are essential factors in determining whether the playground was able to serve its purpose as an inclusive space and the catalyst for community interconnectedness and engagement.

Gather Feedback from Stakeholders and Users

An inclusive playground can only be effective if it can serve its intended stakeholders. Genuine feedback and detailed surveys from the users, including parents, guardians, and educators, can capture insights about the current arrangements that work well and the things that require more playground solutions. This evaluation process also ensures the current and future playground structures meet diverse and evolving needs.

The importance of inclusive design in commercial playgrounds is quite meaningful, most especially for children with special needs who think play might be out of reach for them. With more inclusive play areas, every kid can participate and experience the wonderful state of play. If you are planning to start your inclusive playgrounds, check out AAA State of Play's wide selection of adaptive equipment and expert planning services.

RELATED ARTICLES AND FURTHER READINGS

Special Needs Resource Guide | AAA State of Play

What Value Is Brought to the Community by Adding an Inclusive Playground? | AAA State of Play

ADA Compliance in Playground Design: Making Play Accessible for All | AAA State of Play

How Much Does it Cost to Build an Inclusive Playground? | AAA State of Play

Principles of Inclusive Playground Design | Feature | Parks & Recreation Magazine | NRPA

Learn About the Author

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Mandy Jordan

Mandy has been a playground salesperson and CPSI-certified playground inspector for 12 years. Her passion for play shines through her work, and with years of experience in the playground world, her knowledge of playground safety is unparalleled. In her free time, Mandy enjoys watching her kids play baseball.

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