Play in inclusive playgrounds, A universal right of children

14 Nov 2022 present, Afamour

UNICEF's Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child uphold that children should fully enjoy games and recreations

Exists, In addition, Regulations that guarantee safety and accessibility in playgrounds, such as Order TMA/851 of the Ministry of Urban Agenda and UNE-EN standards 1176 and UNE 170001

The installation of playgrounds in urban environments Complies with children's right to play, claimed by Afamour and contemplated in different international standards. The different activities that take place in these recreational spaces, that must be accessible and inclusive to the public, They favor cognitive learning and the development of psychomotor skills at an early age, regardless of the ability of each of the people.

The Children's right to play It is present in standards such as UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), The articles of which state that “All children with mental or physical disabilities have the right to enjoy a full life”, and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child promoted by the UN (1959). In the latter, It is included that “The child should fully enjoy games and recreations, which must be oriented towards the ends pursued by education”. Also, The principle continues 7 of this statement, “Public administrations shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right”.

With this international regulatory framework and the subsequent approval of the Sustainable Development Goals -Exist five SDGs linked to the benefits of inclusive playgrounds (3, 4, 5, 10 and 11)-, Administrations are increasingly aware of the need to bet on play spaces for children that guarantee accessibility and inclusion, and end the barriers and segregation that could occur with some of the recreational elements installed in these public play areas. In Afamour they have known for a long time about these demands and have been pioneers in the projection of playgrounds with useful areas for all.

 

 

What rules specifically regulate accessibility in playgrounds?

Today, Administrations and manufacturers of playgrounds must comply A multitude of Legislation regarding technical regulations and legal regulations About the installation and maintenance of these play spaces. One of the laws of national application is the Order TMA/851, of 23 July 2021, by which the Ministry of Urban Agenda develops the technical document of basic conditions of accessibility and non-discrimination for access and use of urbanized public spaces.

This ministerial order regulates in its article 8 a series of Aspects to ensure accessibility in children's play sectors:

  • One in five elements will have universal accessibility criteria, must be in children's games of dynamic type or that generates movement when introduced inside.
  • The Access to children's play areas, as well as each element with universal accessibility criteria, and exercises from an accessible pedestrian route.
  • They will be introduced Chromatic and texture contrasts between game and exercise elements […] to promote the orientation and perception of users.
  • Along with the game elements that must have universal accessibility criteria, will be foreseen obstacle-free spaces where a circle of 1,50 meters in diameter at least.

Coexists with this order the UNE-EN standard 1176 What Regulates the safety of playgrounds and enter the Concept of 'easily accessible'’ with the following definition: “What Does not require a special skill to access the equipment and that users can move freely and quickly around the computer, No other consideration for the use of hands and feet”.

The standard should also be taken into account UNE 170001 of universal accessibility, with a first part that collects the DALCO criteria for facilitate accessibility to the environment:

  • Ambulation o Move from one site to another To access places and objects following circulation zones, Approximation spaces, Rest areas, Changes of plane and pavements with non-slip characteristics.
  • Apprehension o action of grasping, trap, turn, Manipulate or tap items thanks to Elements for the Location correctly signposted, design suitable for use by any user or Auxiliary staff when required.
  • Localization of places and objects through Elements for signalling, lighting, Pavement and auxiliary services.
  • Communication by means of Non-interactive media (Signs in paper form, audiovisual media, Illuminated signs, acoustic and tactile) and interactive (computer, optical reader or personnel competent in sign language).

This normative exhibition around playgrounds shows that Protections and recreational value are conditioned by safety standards. As an example, where a child goes up from 10 years in a wheelchair A one-year-old child must also walk up.

Precisely on this development of legislation, the president of Afamour, Look at Jimenez, details that “More and more local administrations are valuing children's areas as spaces that provide an important service to citizens and that they must be valid for everyone”, A fact that “is encouraging work on new regulations”. “This is the way forward”, Adds, “and each time accessibility will become more essential".

"If we can't put an end to our differences, Let's help make the world a good place for them."

John F. Kennedy

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