For too long, many people's views of disabilities have been shaped through the medical model. Put simply, this model says disabilities are burdens or impairments that need to be "fixed." But today, thanks in large part to the advocacy of the disabilities community, more people are viewing disabilities through the lens of the social model. It flips the script, saying it's not the person with a disability, but rather the environment around them that needs to be fixed. Many modern inclusive playgrounds show just what can happen when you adopt a social-model mindset. By removing barriers for kids and family members with disabilities, these playgrounds create gathering spaces where anyone can have fun, develop their mind and body, and engage with others regardless of their ability. Here are just some of the ways that playgrounds and their environments are evolving and improving to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

IMPROVING ACCESS FOR VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES

One noticeable way a playground changes when its physical environment is built to accommodate people with disabilities is how people move around in it. For example, people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices often rely on curb cuts to get from the parking lot to the playground or vice versa. But imagine a play space where everyone can move freely and effortlessly, regardless of their mobility needs. To do this, seamless transitions are needed throughout the play space design. That means eliminating curbs from the drop-off zone/parking area, removing stairs between spaces, and providing seamless transitions between sidewalks and the playground.

Wider pathways also improve accessibility. While a 3-footwide pathway is ADA compliant, any wheelchair user will tell you that it's not wide enough to roll side-by-side with another wheelchair user.

That's why more communities are building pathways wider than ADA compliance. This can help all visitors get around more comfortably. It can allow deaf and hard-of-hearing guests to walk alongside each other and communicate with sign language, and help blind/low vision individuals using a cane or service animal, and even families moving together, benefit from additional space.

Another important but sometimes overlooked aspect of access is the playground's bathroom facilities. Making just a few right decisions in these facilities, like including universal changing facilities, and placing sinks and hand dryers at different heights, can go a long way in supporting people with different needs and help keep families at a playground for longer.

BRINGING PLAY TO ALL ABILITIES

While not everyone has the world's largest inclusive playground in their backyard, there are still things you can do to bring similar inclusive play opportunities to your children and others with disabilities in your community.

It starts with being an advocate for the needs of the disabilities community and a champion for inclusive play. At the same time, remember that inclusive play spaces aren't created overnight. They're long-term endeavors that require a lot of time, energy and planning from both community leaders and residents. That's why one of the best things individuals can do is to use their energy to support a positive, collaborative approach to creating inclusive play spaces. •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Moore brings the voice of the disabilities community and inclusive design practices into the product-development process at Landscape Structures. With a specific focus on merging lived experience with universal design principles, Jill promotes and educates audiences on the importance of integrating inclusion in play, and bringing people with disabilities into the conversation. As an accredited educational presenter, both in the classroom and the playground, play has become her full-time role. During her lifetime, Jill has represented Team USA as a multi-sport athlete, bringing perspective on the importance of recreation and how imperative equitable access to play is for all.

FUN FOR EVERYONE: "It's not the person with a disability, but rather the environment around them that needs to be fixed." Inclusive playground equipment such as sensory tunnels (above left) and we-go-rounds (above right) are fully wheelchair accessible and promote fun interaction by allowing everyone to participate in the fun.