Creating Inclusive Outdoor Play Environments; Designing forAbility Rather than Disability

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The Journal of Eyewitness in Special Education

Volume

910

Publication Date

2006

First Page

48

Last Page

55

Abstract

Creating playgrounds for children with disabilities has become increasingly common. Unfortunately, focused on ensuring greater ‘accessibility’ and/or meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, many professionals have created barrier-free environments for wheelchairs with little regard for the children who sit in them. As a result, many playgrounds that are developed for children with disabilities do the disabled child a disservice. This paper seeks to help professionals understand the difference between accessibility (the removal of physical barriers) and inclusion (the removal of social barriers). Appropriate design recognizes that a child with a disability is a child with abilities, and that activity -- rather than appliance -- oriented design creates a setting where all children may be included in the fun.

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