Inclusion

Research: Evidence-based design, programming, and products

No play and recreation company is as deeply invested in the study and development of inclusive play. Our unique inclusive play programs provide scholarly, evidence-based design and programming considerations for creating outdoor play environments and experiences that address the physical and social inclusion for people of all ages and abilities. These educational resources help communities move playgrounds beyond minimum accessibility guidelines to provide inclusive, multigenerational play destinations that encourage active, independent, and meaningful play for everyone. Inclusive play is our passion and purpose.

Programs: Our scholarly approach

Luckily, our partnerships with scholars and experts in inclusive play can help make this easy. Start with 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design®, our inclusive planning guidebook created in partnership with Dr. Keith Christensen at Utah State University's Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice, which utilizes the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design to provide accurate considerations for an inclusive play space.

This best practice design guidebook contains supportive research, community engagement strategies, advocacy resources, and model inclusive play case examples for upgrading or designing outdoor inclusive play environments. Whole communities start with inclusively designed whole environments which carefully meet the needs of the whole child. Children want to ‘Be’ and feel fair, included, smart, independent, safe, active, and comfortable during play. The 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design focus on the usage of individual play activities as well as the context of the overall environmental design. By aligning these design principles and the specific guidelines and considerations, communities can create whole environments that support the active participation of all people, of all ages, and all abilities.

Check out 2 Play Together®, an activity book filled with playground activities and programming tips designed to create awareness, break down barriers, and foster friendships between children of all abilities. The book contains supportive research and disability awareness tools and fun playground activities aligned to character education.

“The 7 Principles of Playground Design program is founded on the understanding that beyond disability, there are abilities; beyond accessibility, there is inclusion.”

- Keith Christensen, Ph.D.
Faculty Fellow, Utah State University's Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice

ADA Playground Compliance Checklist

No play and recreation company is as deeply invested in the study and development of inclusive play. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive civil rights law released by the Department of Justice prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. It addresses the accessibility of public playgrounds and provides information on minimum accessibility requirements for new playgrounds and/or retrofitting current play areas. In addition, our unique inclusive play programs provide scholarly, evidence-based design and programming considerations for creating outdoor play environments and experiences that address the physical and social inclusion for people of all ages and abilities. These educational resources help communities move playgrounds beyond minimum accessibility guidelines to provide inclusive, multigenerational play destinations that encourage active, independent, and meaningful play for everyone. Inclusive play is our passion and purpose.