Inclusive Playground Project


We at KIDS believe that every child has the right to play, and therefore should have equal access to play facilities throughout the UK.
Children and young people with impairments have an equal right to be involved in ordinary experiences. We at KIDS are committed to delivering equality for disabled children along side their non disabled peers, by helping to make play areas accessible and inclusive for all.


The Inclusive Playground Project (IPP) has been designed to help Local Authorities, Parish Councils, and Community/Voluntary Organisations, develop and enhance their outdoor play facilities. A playground is an optimal space for children to learn, develop, and exercise; therefore we need to create accessible and inclusive playgrounds for children of all abilities in every community.

 

All children need and want to take risks in order to explore limits, gain new experiences and develop their capacities from a young age. By creating an inclusive, inviting, challenging and exciting play space, will entice children to play whilst at the same time testing their capabilities, allowing all children to play alongside each other without segregation.

 

Children need to feel free, regardless of their abilities. Through consultation it has be proven time after time that ‘Children have a voice, and have asked for choice’. A good playground will offer facilities for everyone, it should be designed with an invisible inclusive blanket in mind, to allow all children to experience play in a safe setting.

 

When designing a playground, incorporating accessibility into the design should begin early in the process, with a good thorough consultation. Consideration for a mix of ground-level opportunities should be integrated with elevated opportunities accessible by a ramp or transfer platform. Special attention should be given to make sure that the activities designed for accessibility provide easy access and use for wheelchair users. The accessible elements should also be fun, and encourage interaction between children of all abilities.

 

KIDS (IPP) have the knowledge to guide and provide advice on specific pieces of play equipment to designing the free space around the equipment to encapsulate the essence of freedom.

 

For further details please contact KIDS at:

 

Warren Koehler

49 Mecklenburgh Square

London WC1N 2NY

0207 520 0419

 

warren.koehler@kids.org.uk