What do you think about when we talk about Accessibility and Inclusive Play?
Welcome to Inclusive Play, a division of Imagination Play. Let’s look at the definition of inclusive play: Children of different abilities are able to play together. To be truly inclusive, playground equipment needs to have challenges on different levels.
Products can be ‘not-inclusive’ in 2 ways:
1. 
Not suitable for impaired children.
2. Only suitable for impaired children (a wheelchair swing is not inclusive)
Not-inclusive products for handicapped children have a place (schools, therapy) but in public areas inclusive Play equipment is preferable.
Children that have an impairment are often hindered by the fact that many playing opportunities seem to be designed for able bodied children only, not inclusive. This of course can make it difficult for children with an impairment to play with other children, to have fun together and to develop important skills. It is estimated that there are around 288,348 disabled children living in Australia (7% of all children)*.
* Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2009 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (2009)
Play areas for visually impaired children
The entrance to the playground should be clearly visible, for example by using bright colours. Use guiding lines, place “landmark” elements and enable users to find their way around by varying the types of floor. Mark zones with moving equipment moves: Use colour, texture and sound coding. Using plants and trees are a great way to provide scented elements and interesting light effects in a play area. Avoid low obstacles (e.g. the edge of a sand or bark pit).
‘It is far easier for a visually impaired child (and also children who are autistic and in wheelchairs) to have a route that they can follow which leads to the different areas instead of being placed apart without any links.’
‘A path or tactile rail or wall is ideal so that the route can be memorized and children will be able to find things easier. A sense of sequence and
order is also important for an autistic child.’Louise Adams
Playworker Sense Scotland
Presence of strongly contrasting colours (as markers). Use interesting audible and tactile features (the latter is important for children who will learn to read in Braille)
Sand and bark surfaces can make blind children insecure (no proper support for the feet). Sand tables with seats are a good alternative Provide areas to sit in general. Ideally with good support and holds and big enough to sit together with other people. A continuing hand rail all around the play equipment can function as a natural guideline and it makes sure that children feel safe and dare to move more freely.
Let children experience movement in a safe environment. For example: by equipment that moves and where the child can sit down such as a seesaw, a swing or a roundabout. Moving equipment needs good support and handholds for the child Kids like space nets, climbing nets and hammocks.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
The cluster of impairments of social interaction, communication and imagination and the consequent repetitive pattern of behaviour is the common thread connecting all autistic disorders.
With one in 100 Australians diagnosed, autism may well be the disorder that defines this generation.
Children with ASD tend to prefer toys that involve visuospatial skills such as shape and colour matching, jigsaw puzzles or constructional materials. It is useful to encourage physical activities that are enjoyable without the need for imagination and understanding or use of language. Sometimes children have lots of energy that they need to get rid of. Physical exercise is reported to diminish inappropriate behaviour and such activities are also helpful for improving problems of motor co-ordination.
Children with ASD often enjoy repetitive activities.
What can we do to make play areas suitable for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder:
Regarding Playground design?
Regarding the choice of Play equipment?
Supervision is important. This is particularly true with activities like playing on the trampoline and on climbing frames: create enough open space around these products.
Children with ASD often like to have their own space where they can look at what is going on and/ or chill out. Create a clear play sequence and use guiding lines in the play area. Limit clutter, busy-ness and busy colours. Provide a clear border around the play area (also useful for visually impaired children).
Play elements that provide a clear play sequence. Climbing is a great activity for children with ASD
Equipment with a repetitive motion like swings, roundabouts, spinners, trampolines and springers are popular. Interesting sensory experiences are important Puzzles to challenge visuospatial skills. Provision of an area where children can have their own space away from the busy ness. The space should not be enclosed. The play facility should be radiating a calm atmosphere by using
simple elements and discreet colours. Too many distractions and stimulus should be avoided.
Children that use a wheelchair
This involves a very large group of disabilities with different causes that makes moving hard or impossible. Less than 8% of disabled people use wheelchairs. Some children can leave the wheelchair on their own, others can only get out with support from others. If possible, it is good for children to leave the wheelchair and experience other types of support for the body.
What can we do to make play areas suitable for children that use a wheelchair:
Regarding Playground design?
Regarding the choice of Play equipment?
Install suitable pathways around the play areas so that all or most equipment is accessible. Children that use a wheelchair may enjoy different types of surfaces like bumps and cobbles. For children that cannot walk very well there should be enough seating possibilities around the play facility. If there is a sandbox, then this should be accessible for children that can only crawl. Sand tables are ideal for wheelchair use.
Experiencing movement and discovering the space the body is in are less natural for these children than for those without a loco motor dysfunction. That is why especially play equipment that challenges these things is recommended. Moving play equipment should be provided with supported seats and with a back support. If the equipment is wheelchair accessible, it should have handles that are easy to grip.
Play equipment should be easily accessible. Play equipment should be provided with continuing support (for example a hand rail) from the entrance to the exit of the equipment. Play activities that can be reached from the wheelchair encourage activities that include crawling or suspension.
‘Hammocks are very good for children with disabilities. Children in wheelchairs can be lifted onto them and they are quite secure as it will mould to their body. This is especially good for children who maybe have limited upper body support.’
‘It’s also good for them to get out of their chair and stretch out and experience a gentle swinging motion. Children with visual impairments enjoy hammocks too as it hugs their body and gives them a clear indication of where the boundaries of this environment are and provide them with a feeling of security. This principle also applies to children with autism.’
Rachael Tonge
Playworker with Deafblind children
Sense Scotland
Imagination Play are the exclusive agents for Russell Play in Australia. We are both a truly inclusive playground equipment supplier in Australia. Please contact us to see our vast range of inclusive play equipment and prices for your next playground project.
Our vision
- We want to be a company that is leading in the development of accessible and inclusive Play products and Play areas.
- We want to give impaired children the opportunity to play freely and independently.
- We want to give them the choice to play with their peers or to play on their own.
- We want to help our customers (councils, schools, holiday parks etc.) to make life better for impaired children.