Inclusive Brochure
36Pages

12%* of the U.S. population has a severe disability that affects at least one function of daily living. This group of people does not live in a vacuum; they have children, parents, siblings and grandparents who are involved in their daily lives. Therefore 36% of the population, or 1 in 3 people, is touched by severe disability. *Kaiser Family Foundation 2012. Mobility Versus Non-Mobility Impairments 5% Mobility Impairments 95% Non-Mobility Impairments US Dept. of Education

A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members. – Mahatma Ghandi

Inclusion matters It’s not just about people with disabilities...it’s about everyone enjoying and sharing in the holistic benefits of play: physical, sensory, and social. It’s about the family of a child with a disability. The typically developing child. And the parent or grandparent with a disability who wants to take a child to the playground. Inclusion is more than access—it’s about being a part of something. It’s about making a difference in the lives of others. Because it’s the right thing to do. Why create an inclusive playground? Because everyone deserves an opportunity to join in...

Contents 7 The Journey to Inclusive Design 10 Key to Inclusion: Physical, Sensory, and Social 12 Key to Inclusion: Multiple Levels of Challenge 16 All-inclusive Dedication to Play 18 Ground-based Play 20 Everyone at His or Her Level 21 Product Example per Level of Challenge 22 Playground Equipment Solutions 26 Playground Case Study 28 Inclusion at Any Price Point 30 Inclusive Playscape Idea Starter 34 Inclusive Workshops and Next Steps

“Do unto others…” is an important principle to live by, but it doesn’t help a playground designer or buyer take specific steps toward an inclusive playground. Our goal was to develop step-by-step techniques that a decision maker can use to move the needle on inclusive play for any playground.

2010 Playworld partners with Let Kids Play, a Pennsylvania-based firm that designs accessible playgrounds, and reviews and recommends toys for children with disabilities. • Holds play day to observe and analyze children of all abilities interacting with our playground equipment 2011 A cross-functional team of six experts assembles in Cleveland, OH to establish basics of inclusive play on the playground. The group tours Preston's Hope playground. • First draft of inclusive play guidelines written, and sent for national and international peer review 2012 The document is redrafted and sent for...

Inclusion isn’t just about access. It’s about making a difference in the lives of others. There are 8 principles of inclusive play design that have the biggest impact. Small but mighty, these 8 Keys unlock barriers for children and people of all ages and abilities to engage with one another through play. Download resources at Playworld.com/Inclusive 8 Keys to Inclusion Physical, Sensory and Social Create a rich play environment by offering a diverse range of activities across all three categories. Pods, Rooms and Zones Develop specialized areas of play. This allows choices by a child who...

Key to Inclusion: Physical, Sensory, and Social Goal: Provide a rich play experience The goal of the playground is to provide a rich, inclusive play space where children of all abilities can grow and learn. To do this, we have categorized our products as being physical, sensory or social. It is possible for a piece of equipment to have more than one attribute, and even all three. Each type of play is crucial to any child’s development. The total play experience should include activities from each category. Having a mixture of all three helps to create an exciting and more inclusive...

Trippple Racer Slide Physical: Sliding Social: Interaction Roller Slither Slide Physical: Sliding Sensory: Tactile (Rollers provide a full body tactile experience) Accessible EZ-Digger Physical: Upper Body Strengthening Babble-On Sensory: Auditory Social: Cooperative Play Hatched Egg KPE Rhythm Spinner Physical: Climbing Sensory: Auditory and Tactile Sensory: Tactile and Cozy Space Social: Dramatic and Imaginative Play

Key to Inclusion: Multiple Levels of Challenge Goal: Offer a growth activity for everyone We all prefer to be challenged at our own level, not a level someone else has decided is appropriate for us. Offering opportunities to advance and grow provides the child with the decision of when to attempt the next level of challenge. Key to Inclusion: Grouping of Activities Goal: nvite engagement between children of I different abilities Grouping similar types of play equipment with varying levels of challenge together encourages children of different abilities to be in proximity to one another....

Squaw Creek Campground Park, Marion, Iowa Playworld Rep.: Fry & Associates Balance Trax Dunes Level 1 Balancing Picnic Boulder Level 2-3 Balancing Log Hops Level 2 Balancing Tire Swing Level 2, 3 Swinging Accessible Swing Level 1 Swinging Vortex Level 2 Spinning Swings Level 1-3 Swinging Note: Swings of different types are placed together. Cozy Cocoon™ Level 1 Spinning RockBlocks® Climbing Tunnel Level 2 Climbing Twister Level 3 Spinning

During a study* conducted before and after renovations at this park, visitors were asked how improvements impacted their park behaviors. Positive behavioral outcomes due to the changes included increases in users and use, ease of use, winter use, activity variety, and physical activity, and improved access for visitors with disabilities. Over 50% stated that they stayed longer, visited more frequently, and engaged in a wider variety of activities since the renovations. SHADE Children on certain medications cannot be exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Shade allows children to play...

SEATING Children can only stay as long as their parents are comfortable Benches are provided to make sure that parents will stay as long as possible. PERIMETER FENCE Helps contain children on the autism spectrum who might otherwise become overstimulated and run into harm's way. PHYSICAL Climbing, sliding and bouncing types of activities ORIENTATION PATH Allows children to assess the amount of physical, sensory and social engagement they can expect. Offers a safe zone where a child may retreat to in the event of overstimulation.