Ramps to make it possible for children in wheelchairs to get on the equipment. Why are inclusive playgrounds important in the community and in schools? All kids want to play. Parents should also be able to join in the fun, regardless of their abilities and limitations. The first steptowarddoing that is understanding the concept of inclusivity and thedifference between inclusive versus accessible when it comes to playground design. "Seeing children and adults enjoy the new playground together is why the Rebuild program is so important," said Commissioner, Parks & Recreation, Kathryn Ott Lovell. Anything from a physical disability to a learning disability that makes a child feel different from their peers can cause them to internalize negative thoughts about themselves. October is Sensory Awareness Month! Proximity to public transportation is ideal, and accessible parking spaces and ramps that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant will allow users to get to and move throughout your playground. My children have learned much through playground play with others as well. fun abounds offers a wide selection of commercial playground equipment from the most trusted product lines in the industry. Many case managers aren't given the information they need to submit referrals for self-direction. Throughout July, check out our Facebook page and join us as we explore an inclusive playground and talk about features that make it fun for all kids and their families. If you are considering adding a dome, or other piece of equipment onto your playground that would block out noise make sure you are putting it in a space away from high-traffic equipment. Here are some ways a playground can be enhanced to meet the needs of all: The above information comes from https://www.accessibleplayground.net/ and www.miracle-recreation.com, websites dedicated to promoting and educating everyone about playground accessibility! The secret behind the attraction of an inclusive public playground lies in being mindful of the different needs and behaviours of playground users. Equipment that can make a playground more accessible includes: Playground accessibility provides children with disabilities the chance to play with their friends more easily. Thats whyto celebrate Fair Play for Allwere offering a chance to win a trip to Morgans Wonderland, a nonprofit and fully inclusive theme park in San Antonio, Texas. New Minds in the Making: The Importance of Recess and Play in Education, National Playground Safety Week : April 24th -April 28th, Top 3 Structures That Every Playground Needs In 2022, fun abound Recognized As A Top BCI Burke Rep, A Blog of My Own: A Message from fun abounds President Leigh Walden, Everyones Included: The Benefits of Inclusive Playgrounds. Sensory play equipment such as the Little Tikes. Play is so essential for child development around the world that the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights recognizes it as a right of every child. Playgrounds are a great place for children to engage with peers and make friends. Your little bundle of joy had marked tremendous milestones since birth. Parents and caregivers know the degree to which their children can engage with their peers and can encourage this type of play as much as possible. Understanding the definition of inclusive play spaces is important, but why do we need inclusive playgrounds? These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. Where all kids of all abilities and their communities can come together to make connections and enjoy shared experiences. Disability Garrison Episode 04: Family Caregivers with Melissa Schlemmer. Cognitive Development. Cognitive Development: Activities such as swinging, sliding, climbing, spinning, and rocking have both physical and cognitive benefits. A wide range of design elements should be included in a play space so all children can interact the structures and other children. Modified slides with ramps for additional support. We also provide an in-depthguide on inclusive playground designthat serves as a valuable resource for many in the industry. Visit the. So why not head to a great Inclusive Playground today? was enacted in 1990 to provide a legal framework of non-discrimination for people with disabilities. The seven principles of universal design can assist in making a playground more inclusive: 1) equitable use, 2) flexibility in use, 3) simple and intuitive use, 4) perceptible information, 5) tolerance for error, 6) low physical effort . Kids and parents alike can enjoysome fresh air and active play while social distancing, of course. Playgrounds in the United States have evolved significantly since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To make playgrounds inclusive, we must also consider children for whom social play can be a challenge such as those with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Parents in this study also confirmed that their children had low self-esteem. One of the struggles families with disabilities face is fewer places to meet and be part of the community. It gives children with and without any disability the same platform to play while breaking down barriers, both physically and socially. It informs all that we do, and were eager to help communities like yours create inclusive play spaces so all children can enjoy their right to play. An accessible playground provides play opportunities to the widest possible variety of children. Doing this means educating ourselves and promoting the spirit of inclusion everywhere, from weekend get-togethers to city council meetings. Adults enjoy "play" too, just in a different form; think happy hour, vacation, golf, girl's night out, etc. There is something heartwarming about a child being able to run onto the playground and within the blink of an eye, they are jumping around with a group of kids. Engaging in independent play is important for every childs development, but it is particularly crucial for children with disabilities to learn they can make choices. You can also learn more about the contest here. 1.Brooklyns Playground Pocatello, Idaho, 2. In the coming years I look forward to seeing more towns and cities in New Hampshire and beyond recognize that playgrounds positively impact a childs physical wellbeing, social and emotional skills, and cognitive functions, and with those realizations make their playgrounds accessible to all! One of our favorite Landscape Structures Inclusive playgrounds is Sims Park in New Port Richey when we are close to home. Each principle plays a critical role in the overall design of an inclusive playground. Irrespective of age, gender, and even developmental milestones- your child can have great playtimes. All rights reserved | Privacy Policy. Inclusive Play is not just focusing on accessibility, itbringsage, developmental appropriateness, and sensory-stimulating activity into the equation which results in social equity and increasingly diverse social communities. All children deserve a good play, and Inclusive playgrounds have a way of making it happen. According to Article 31 of theUnited Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child, every child has a right to engage in play. Another consideration when it comes to senses and inclusivity is wayfinding. Some reasons why a playground may remain unchanged for decades include: unrealistically high expectations from a town or citys government when it comes to how much money or effort it would take to make it accessible, the feeling that a playground is accessible enough because someone in a wheelchair could get from the parking lot to the edge of the play area while failing to consider other needs that person in a wheelchair has or the needs of people who experience other disabilities, and the ableist mindset that someone who has a disability would be unable to thrive and have fun in a playground in the same way others do. One of our favorite Landscape Structures Inclusive playgrounds is Sims Park in New Port Richey when we are close to home. We listed 5 impressive playgrounds from around the country. There are several reasons to take your child to an inclusive playground. The Role of Playgrounds in Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Or, if you want to become a certified inclusive playground designer yourself, we make that possible, too, through ourinclusive play training. Kids learn how to make friendships by working together and helping one another. In addition to the fun of spinning or bouncing, these activities are made more fun by the social element they involve. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our, https://www.creativesystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Children-are-the-anchors-that-hold-the-mother-to-life.-Sophocles.mp4. Inclusive playgrounds are just the bets for kids since t makes them build their friendships better and they also learn to support each other during play. , websites dedicated to promoting and educating everyone about playground accessibility! These opportunities include participation in education, employment, public health programming, community living, and service learning. In-Home Care Options When You Dont Qualify for Medicaid. So, 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. For example, when a child gets up the courage to go down the slide the first time or learns how to swing on their own, they will swell with pride. Copy Shortcode, 8 Commerce Drive, Unit 801Atkinson, NH 03811. [custom-facebook-feed feed=1] By encouraging and fostering a culture of inclusion in playgrounds, we can create opportunities for all children to play together and learn from one another. All-encompassing environments allow people of all ages and abilities to develop independence, feel included and smart while contributing to meaningful play experiences. Some playgrounds in our area that are accessible include: Crotched Mountain Treehouse (Greenfield, NH), Many of the playgrounds in Concord, NH have accessibility features included. Unfortunately,many children are unable to reap the benefits of play or engage in the activity due to the nature of most parks and playgrounds across the country. It is a wide-ranging civil rights law that provides equal access to public services, programs, and activities, including play areas for children. No person should experience a barrier to participating in community life because of a disability or limitation. Meaning that playgrounds remain inaccessible and dangerous to kids and their families with and without disabilities. Signal Centers Therapeutic Playground for the Arts. Self-esteem issues can be especially problematic for children with disabilities. Playgrounds that are only designed with certain ability levels in mind can exclude many children and families who have the same desire and need to play and participate in community life. Inclusive playgrounds ensure physical and social inclusion where everyone can play together. The 2010 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Standard states that any playgrounds constructed or altered on, or after, March 15th, 2012 must follow 2010 ADA guidelines for accessible playgrounds. When Anthony was a preschooler, I didnt think twice about spending an afternoon at the playground or think twice about the play equipment, however, when the twins were that age I suddenly needed to think about play structures in an entirely new way. Landscape Structures Inclusive playgrounds, Landscape Structures site and search for the playground that fits your needs, How the Pandemic Showed Parents How to Engage with Learning at Home, 10 Simple Ways to Show Kids You Love Them Everyday! When children are playing, they are able to progress language, symbolic thinking, social skills, and motor skills. Multiple exit/entry points, so children do not have to wait in line to enter or exit the playground. As every educator and child advocate knows, play is so essential in childhood that the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights declares it as every childs right. Lets look more specifically at some of the wonderful benefits of inclusive playgrounds. I remember the painful thoughts that ran through my mind when Aidan was diagnosed with Autism, and then again when Lillys diagnosis and weak muscle strength began. KIT works to help develop systematic changes that will encourage inclusion with regard to policy & professional development, training & technical assistance, research & evaluation, and extensive community engagement. If people aren't immersed in the world of inclusive play, they probably aren't thinking about . It's a sunny May day in Berthoud, Colorado, just an hour north of Denver. Reflect on some of the first friendships you ever made. "name": "Playworld", With inclusive playgrounds, children of all abilities can have a safe space to express themselves in physical motion through play and also allows them to start mingling with other children and to make friends. In an inclusive playground, various play equipment have been installed to take care of different physical challenges that some kids could be facing. With inclusive playgrounds, children of all abilities can have a safe space to express themselves in physical motion through play and also allows them to start mingling with other children and to make friends. An accessible playground provides play opportunities to the widest possible variety of children. Or maybe a slide through the bouncing castles? One of the benefits of playgrounds is that they help children engage in social play. So why not head to a great Inclusive Playground today? Inclusive playgrounds promote the development of empathy. Community engagement empowers and integrates people from different backgrounds. Accessibility 2. "description": "Play is a vital part of childrens development and a key factor in how they come to understand the world around them. Inclusive playgrounds encourage play, which leads to a mutual understanding, friendships, and a true feeling of community. It also states that every child has the right to explore their abilities and develop their skills while learning new things on the playground. Inclusive playgrounds and sensory playgrounds are essentially the same thing. Americanswith Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines demand that all playgrounds be accessible. Contact KIT today! Pretend play equipment like pirate ships and castles with ramps allow them to participate in the fun with their friends. Its important to note that social skills and development do not look the same for all children. Call 855-ABOUNDS to discuss your playground project today. KITs goal is to foster a culture of inclusion in classrooms, playgrounds, schools, and childcare centers. Obviously, this doesnt happen. Children with disabilities should rightfully have access to the same or properly-adapted playground equipment as their peers without disabilities. They learn that climbing as high as you can is a lot more fun with someone to enjoy the view with. Our ADA-accessible playground accommodates children of all ability and mobility levels, so every child has the chance to learn, grow, interact, and have fun with other kids their age. "name": "Playworld", The first place my children made friends, outside of the family, was on the playground. When all kids are offered opportunities to play together, it opens up healthy behavioral and social skills that are vital later in adult life. They use all of their senses, compared to electronics that only use two senses (sight and hearing). Childhood obesity is a serious problem for children and adolescents in the U.S. Get information on new products, upcoming sales and more. Five advantages of inclusive playgrounds January 18, 2022 0 by westplay Playing and having fun is a fundamental part of the development and growth of children since this allows them to develop physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally, helping to strengthen their health and have greater self-esteem.