Title
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.
Recommended Citation
2006 Christensen, K.M. & Jeon, T.K. Creating Inclusive Outdoor Play Environments; Designing for Ability Rather than Disability. The Journal of Eyewitness in Special Education, 910(Sept-Oct); 48- 55.
