A HIGHER LEVEL OF INCLUSIVE PLAY ® IDEAS FOR BETTER PLAYGROUNDS. FOR ALL.

THE FACTS OF THE MATTER People with disabilities are the nation’s largest minority group, and the only one that anyone can join at any time. MILLION The number of school-age children with disabilities. – U.S. Department of Education, 2019 of parents believe it’s important for their children to play with a variety of kids, including those with disabilities. – Landscape Structures Inclusive Play Survey, 2014 1 BILLION+ The number of people with disabilities in the world. Nearly 15% of the world’s population. – World Health Organization, 2018 ARTICLE 31 Children have the right to relax and play,...

NEARLY 40% of grandparents provide child care for their grandchildren. provide care 25+ hours a week. – Grandparents: A Critical Child Care Safety Net. National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies 1 IN 700 babies are born with Down syndrome every year. of Americans have a disability and the prevalence of disabilities in adults increases with age. – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Disability & Health Data System, 2019 children have cerebral palsy. children have Autism Spectrum Disorder – Centers for Disease Control...

ACCESSIBILITY VS. INCLUSIVITY In a survey we conducted with parents across the country, 57% mistakenly believed that playgrounds are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to include elements designed for children with Down syndrome, sensory disorders, and visual and hearing impairments. In reality, current ADA standards primarily require that playgrounds be accessible for those who use a wheelchair or other mobility aid. We need to go beyond accessibility and design playgrounds that are truly inclusive. Students with Disabilities Specific learning disabilities There are many types...

UNIVERSAL DESIGN A process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation. — Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA Center), University of Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning ROLL OUT THE WELCOME MAT The benefits of inclusive playgrounds are far-reaching. They are also a welcome resource for parents with disabilities (wounded veterans, for example) and an aging caregiver population who want to interact with the children in their care. You’ll want to take a look at how accommodating your parking...

“ hen children of any ability enter our playground, W they are instantly engaged. The Landscape Structures playground speaks to every person, no matter what his or her ability level. It says, ‘I am here especially for you. Come try me out. We will have fun together! You will challenge yourself and you will succeed!’” – ucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., Founder of STAR Institute for Sensory L Processing Disorder Our design philosophy Landscape Structures creates inclusive playgrounds featuring activities that are age and developmentally appropriate, sensory stimulating and universally designed. Our design...

SENSORY PLAY BUILDS A HEALTHY FOUNDATION FOR EVERY CHILD. Playgrounds can offer many opportunities for children to further develop their physical, cognitive and social skills through sensory play. An inclusive design includes a balance of play experiences that are beneficial to children of all abilities, at all stages of development and at all levels of sensory engagement. “ he life of a child with special needs is changed by all of T the folks who choose to say, ‘You matter, and I am going to take my creative energies and do something important for you.’ I am just grateful to everybody who puts...

Inclusive Play

SPINNING Multidimensional movements like spinning and rotating supply children’s brains with valuable, complex vestibular and proprioceptive information. This connects input from head and body position in space, helping children maintain proper body posture and balance while they play. Consider equipment that offers thoughtful benefits like high-backed support (like on the OmniSpin® Spinner) or convenient wheelchair access (like the We-Go-Round®). Both of these also provide opportunities for interchangeable roles and group interaction. We-Go-Round® OmniSpin® Spinner

SWINGING The back-and-forth movement of swinging provides a child’s nervous system with a wealth of visual, vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation as they learn how their bodies move in space and how much effort it takes to increase or decrease their speed. Integrate many options for swinging to build the vestibular senses, including swings with different types of movement as well as opportunities for social play. And We-Go-Swing™ provides access to swinging fun without transferring out of a mobility device. To see all of our inclusive play options, visit playlsi.com/inclusive-play We-Go-Swing™...

MULTI-SENSORY PLAY It’s important to provide all children with the opportunity to develop their senses at the right periods of their lives in order to foster proper development. For example, sensory play panels help children enhance their cognitive, tactile, sensory/motor, emotional/social and language skills with self-led exploration. The built-in elements on the interactive Sensory Play Center® encourage kids to explore a variety of textures, shapes, sounds, colors and imaginative moments. Marble Panel® and Optigear Panel® Sensory Play Center®

TACTILE A variety of tactile inputs helps children organize sensory information from the world around them. Manipulative media like sand and water pair creative play with an ideal sensory experience. And because they’re fun, tactile play elements often help solo play progress into cooperative play. To see all of our inclusive play options, visit playlsi.com/inclusive-play Custom Sand Table Custom Hippo Sprayer Inclusive Play