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Inclusive Play - Barrier-Free Play

Every child has the right to play regardless of ability.

Inclusive Play

The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act aims to ensure that all those who are disabled have the same access to public services (including parks and playgrounds) as those who are not disabled.

Inclusiveness in play ensures everyone has the opportunity to take part in the same play experience.

“Barrier-free” — play is possible for everybody.

The catchword "barrier-free" encapsulated the efforts of making play spaces accessible to everybody, regardless of whether or not they are limited by their body or mind at that time. Of greater importance in our view is the likewise related target of designing play areas to integrate everybody.

We want areas where all children, also those with disabilities, can play together and learn from one another. Children experience different types of individuals more directly, more openly and with more confidence than adults. They can relate more freely to the person rather than to the disability. Playing together can prevent prejudice and ostracizing behavior.

Disabled children, we prefer to say ‘children with functional limitations´ have a greater need than other children for opportunities to play so as to learn about life. Alongside fun and enjoyment play provides the opportunity of continuous exercise and is therefore also a therapy. It is often all about reaching and conquering mental and physical limitations. The motivating challenge of great play equipment makes the process easier. Alternative skills develop during play which has the effect of lessening the restrictions in their lives. In a way, this is true for all children — the limitations no longer apply. You will see that it is merely the way they play that is different! Play is necessary and possible for all children. Each in their own way!

The downloadable table below displays the functional limitations in relation to the individual equipment groups and the resulting planning advice. By supporting your work we are attempting to smooth the way for integrative play areas.

Designing Playgrounds

We feel our equipment and landscaping embraces all abilities and ages. We work with specialists in disability play to help you create the best play space possible if your play area will be used by children with limitations - we can help you design a play space suited to their needs. For an area used by lots of children with all different types of abilities, we can help to choose landscaping and equipment that will give a broad range of opportunities, so every child who visits will be able to interact and play.

As part of our product range we offer Sensory Equipment (Sound, Sight, Scent and Touch), which is ideal to add individuality and alternative interactive opportunities and experiences to a play space.

For more information on barrier-free play, please Contact us.

Our Designs

We design our play spaces to incorporate multi-ability play, the elements we consider are:

Accessibility — Getting into the play space and around each piece of equipment. Making sure pathways are wheelchair and pushchair friendly.

Surfacing — Sand, Woodfibre and Bark are all inclusive surfaces. A child will love digging, shaping, building and drawing regardless of their ability.

Play equipment — We provide multi-ability equipment, Sensory pieces or specialist items.

Seating — Plenty of seating, not always conventional benches — boulders make good seats too!

Risk — All playgrounds should contain challenge and risk regardless of ability.

Environment — We respect the existing environment play areas reside. In some areas we bring more textural elements to the area to enhance its existing features.

To see one of our more impressive inclusive play areas visit Alnwick Gardens Case Study and say 'Hello' to the birds...

2.23 MB  Barrier-Free Play Equipment