Accessibility chain (Inclusiveness)
To do this, accessibility and universal design criteria should be used, at all points in the chain
Decision-making
The first link in the accessibility chain in playgrounds is the decision-making to go to the park. Before you go, users raise different questions:
- Where can I find an inclusive park near my home?
- How can I get there?
- Will I be able to access and circulate inside?
- What game elements am I going to find?
- Do you have services (Toilets, Bars, rest areas) Near?
Having this information beforehand, ensures that the exit to the park is a success. To do this, it is important that municipalities can provide this information.
How to get there?
It's of little use to make the playing area inclusive, if not everyone can get to it for use and enjoyment.
At least, there must be an accessible pedestrian itinerary that connects your immediate surroundings with the park. This itinerary will also link, if there is a, with parking spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility and with the nearest public transport stop accessible. The itinerary will also have accessible signage indicating the location of the play area.
How to access and circulate inside?
The park must have, at least, an accessible entrance, visibly recognizable. It will have the information that shows us the rules of use, park hours, possible activities to be carried out and how to move and orient ourselves inside. Once inside, ensure that all people can move inside comfortably, safe and accessible. Especially, the type of pavement will be taken into account, location and distances between elements. The area must also be properly lit during daylight saving time.
How to play?
Playgrounds are important meeting places to gather cheerfully and affectionately.
It is our task to enable with the creation of inclusive parks – WITH EMPATHY – equitable participation of all children in the game.
An activity dashboard does not make a park inclusive. Nor does a special structure for children with functional diversity, as it highlights the differences, separates rather than unite.
With inclusive parks we want encourage common play, discover similarities despite differences and share experiences.
The goal is to create spaces that do not exclude anyone.
A common mistake is to think only of wheelchair users and ignore children with another motor disturbance or sensory impairment (Visual, Hearing) or intellectual.
The challenge of inclusive parks, Is Get and make sure that each child receives the encouragement and
the challenge you need of the whole play area,
without that meaning that everyone makes the same use and on an equal footing
conditions of the game equipment.
Playing together, all children (those who have and those who don't have a disability) develop their sensory skills, Drive, cognitive and emotional. So, the park has to offer as many opportunities as possible.
Every inclusive park must:
- Being designed with universal design criteria, with accessible-playable activities from ground level, per ramp, transition platform, etc.
- Provide Experiences (multi-)Sensory.
- Offer users different levels of challenge so that everyone can choose the level of challenge they trust or seek to overcome.
- Having a high playful value, A high appeal, be exciting.
We'll choose game elements that encourage contact behavior, communication, social interaction, cooperation behavior, cognitive-verbal development, visual perception, auditory and tactile, global motor skills (Balance, Force, Agility,...) and fine motor prowess (P.e. hand-eye coordination,...), creativity and emotion.
In particular, could be for example themed games that stimulate fantasy and role-playing games (from a tube phone to a giant themed game), a group swing with different types of seats that give more or less support (Flat, Baby, with harness, Hammock, etc., but all directed to the center of the swing so that also more shy children can come into contact from a safe position), a group rocker with different types of squares (Open, no/backed up, Handles), a barrier-free carousel with a walk-in platform that has enough space to participate in a wheelchair, but also sitting on a bench or standing, multi-game sets with activities accessible from ground level or accessible via ramps, transition points, and many more.
How to enjoy: areas of stay and rest?
Inclusive play spaces are more than gaming teams; are also the rest of the elements that make up a cozy place where people feel comfortable and that encourage them to stay as long as they want. That's why, it is important to have accessible living areas for children and their companions to, rest and recover. These living areas cannot invade the circulation areas, and it is recommended that they be located in areas with good visual control of both the environment and the playground. You may want to have climate control resources (Shadows, sun, Wind) in the most unfavourable months. The urban furniture that is installed (banks, litter bins, sources, Toilets, etc.) they must also be accessible.
