All children should have the opportunity to play and explore their surroundings. This is especially important for children with disabilities.
Inclusive playgrounds are designed to provide a safe and fun environment for all children, regardless of their abilities. These playgrounds provide children with disabilities the chance to socialize and play just like their peers. All children can thrive and enjoy the benefits of outdoor play as more inclusive playgrounds are built across Australia.
Prioritizing Inclusivity and Accessibility
Inclusivity and accessibility are often used interchangeably, but it is important to understand the difference between the two.
Accessibility refers to the physical features of a space that make it possible for everyone to move around safely and easily. This includes features like easy access points, ample spacing for wheelchair access, and transfer decks.
Inclusivity is about making sure that everyone feels welcome and comfortable on a playground. This means taking into consideration the needs of all users, including those with disabilities, and ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate. When designing for inclusivity, it is important to consider the needs of all potential users and create a space that is welcoming and accommodating for everyone.
By considering both inclusivity and accessibility, you can create the optimal playground.
What Makes a Playground Inclusive
Inclusive playgrounds are a safe space for all children to play together. They help boost confidence, creativity and imagination by giving every child an opportunity no matter their age, or physical capabilities to participate equally without any segregation. Inclusive playgrounds provide children a place to play together and learn from one another.
Inclusive playgrounds are a way of life. Inclusion means everyone should be able enjoy the fun spaces together! This means that children with disabilities are allowed to play in an environment where people interact freely without any barriers between them. Kids get to explore their imagination and the diversity is harnessed so everyone can learn new things from each other’s experiences and differences.
The Advantages of Building an Inclusive Playground
An inclusive playground is vital for any child, whether they are disabled or not. It allows children to play with others without having restrictions placed on them. Inclusive playgrounds remove barriers so all kids feel welcome being themselves while also allowing those needing assistance access equipment so no one gets left behind.
The more time children spend playing with others that are different, the better. Playing in diverse environments gives them an appreciation for other people and teaches them how to play and work with all different kinds of children. Inclusive and accessible playgrounds teach equality to children, which is a long term positive for the broader community. This leads to a more inclusive community that creates more equality and success for everybody!
An accessible play area offers a unique mix of exciting play activities that children enjoy. These areas have stimulating tools to explore and equipment that will push kids to maximize their physical capabilities. A positive environment can help them develop their identity and boost confidence as they learn new skills from others around themselves in this social setting where everyone has fun together!
Finally, these playgrounds are a great place for families filled with people of all ages and abilities to come together and mix in a safe space.
How to Think About an Inclusive Playground
The design and construction of a safe inclusive playground is not an easy task. There are many factors that need to be considered when designing for children. The most important thing you can do is think about what will maximize sensory development to create one large space where children will love playing without any worry at all!
Multi-sensory programs are a great way to encourage children in the areas of problem solving, decision making comprehension skills, and creativity.
Visual Stimulation
A creatively designed playground with well thought out color contrasts and different shades of play panels can help develop visual recognition that kids do not receive in most other environments.
Audio Development
Different instruments, cylinders and objects can be added to the playground to trigger audio cues that many children don’t encounter anywhere else in their lives.
Physical Dexterity
Playgrounds are the perfect place for children to develop their muscles and bones. They provide a safe environment where kids can push themselves with less fear of injury. A child’s brain benefits from increased spatial awareness, better balance and continual physical feedback.
Different products help train and develop a child’s physical capabilities. These include jump ropes, see-saws, slides and swings. All these common playground features can be positive for a child’s development by helping them learn their bodies and physical capabilities in a relatively low stakes environment.
Touch Sensations
Textured surfaces are great for developing touch perception. Sand play panels, climbing walls, and rope swings are some of the different surfaces that will help your child develop their touch sense!
Take a Comprehensive Approach
When planning a playground design it’s important to consider the surrounding atmosphere and facilities. A context-appropriate mindset will create play areas that match what people need in their communities.
Consider the accessibility of the playground. Pathways, parking and transit access are all very important factors to take into account when thinking about layout. It’s important for people in wheelchairs or with other disabilities to easily access these areas without difficulties!
Convenient and accessible washrooms are a must so that everyone is comfortable spending extended periods of time around the playground.
Don’t forget about other amenities. Many families have pets who may want some exercise while the children play. It is also important to think through how to best accommodate both seating arrangements and eating areas that encourage the community to enjoy the entire space throughout the day.
Contact an Expert
We specialize in designing playgrounds that welcome children and adults of all abilities. We can help you create a space where everyone feels included by configuring the right design for your needs!
A well-designed inclusive play area is one which offers an environment suitable to accommodate all types of people of varying ages and abilities. Find out more about our inclusive play range or please contact us today and we will be happy to work with you to design the perfect playground.
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