How can a playground be inclusive?
Top 10 Tips on how to design an inclusive and accessible playground for children of all abilities
1. Create a strong brief: carefully plan and meticulously understand the needs, ages and abilities of every child using the space. Identify key limitations with the current space and the potential each child has to explore their play provision with support or independently so they can experience new found freedom and confidence in their outdoor space. At Phoenix Play we carefully consider the physical abilities, sensory and cognitive need as well as social and emotional challenges that need to be unlocked to maximise the potential for play and daily enjoyment of the outdoor space.
2. Review landscape challenges: maximise potential for increased independence and year round use of the space. To make a space truly accessible and effective it needs to be thoughtfully designed, whether its creating wider pathways and bigger gaps between equipment for those who require walking frames or wheel chairs, or the use of high contrasting colour flooring to make a space easy to navigate for those with visual impairments, there is lots that can be done. Our team of experienced consultants can give recommendations on a variety of surfaces that can help make your space safe, inviting and easily accessible for all, so both children and adults can independently enjoy the space.
3. Consider usage of the space: think about how your space can be used for more than just play, it can become a part of their daily sensory diet and regulation. Lots of young people seek motion elements as part of their sensory regulation whether this is through swinging on a basket swing, bouncing on an inground trampoline or spinning on a wheel chair accessible roundabout this opportunity for vestibular development and proprioception is hugely valuable to children needing to self-regulate. For other children regulation may come through the experience of climbing high or being somewhere enclosed and cosy which we can help design safe ways of being able to access so adults can provide easy observation with the comfort of knowing all safety measures are in place
4. Incorporating Sensory elements into the playground design: there are so many senses that can be engaged with through creative sensory products whether it's sound and vibrations using chimes, or sensory planting through strong smelling planting or textured grasses, or perhaps playful use of colourful installing a canopy with special coloured roof tiles where children can enjoy seeing sun drenched shadows or listen to the rain over head on a wet day
5. Consider mis-use as well as intended use of your equipment: while designing a space we always plan for how we expect children to use a space but it is important to also think about potential challenges too. It is imperative to ensure safe and robust surfacing and equipment choices are made to stand the test of time for all its users. For example at Phoenix Play we would always want to know if any children were potentially sensory seeking with eating or touch and therefore avoid loose fill materials or surfacing that could be put in to mouths or thrown. All young people explore and play in different ways so it is important to take this into account.
6. Zone the play space: have different types of play in different areas so children can navigate to their point of interest and preferred type of play, whether this is a motion area, quiet area, musical and sensory zone, imaginative play space or busy active area
7. Promote independence: create an easy use space where possible - whether this is through easily accessed ready to go equipment, or pictorial communication boards or line markings - to encourage communication and decision making. You should also include easy accessible ramps and equipment to make moving around the space easier for all
8. Encourage increased physical activity: by including age and ability focused equipment you can increase interest, confidence and enjoyment using a space which will naturally extend how much time young people are being active and wanting to enjoy the space
9. Collaborate and combine ideas: use lots of sources to make a really purpose built, long lasting space. We love working with Headteachers, Teaching staff, SENCOs, OTs, site managers and PTAs to get their valuable insight on their children, their space and how best to support and unlock potential for all. Factoring in challenges, such as poor drainage or making a wheel chair swing easy to set up and ready to use are all important points that need to be highlighted and overcome at the design stage which help the plans evolve into something really well thought out and unique to your setting.
10. Designing for now and the future: by being mindful of your current target audience and the needs of other users who could be using the space in the future, you can plan for an area to be ever changing and long lasting - whether that is catering for more diversity in age or need. We can plan ahead so your space can meet the needs of everyone using your space for many years to come.
