The Power of Inclusive Play Design: Building Communities Through Play

Written by, Chad Kennedy, PLA, CPSI, Director, Landscape Architecture

At Westwood, we believe play is a fundamental right for every child, regardless of their abilities. As we embark on creating inclusive play spaces, we recognize that the design of these environments is not just about compliance with regulations; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and community for children and their families. In this blog, we will explore how inclusive play design benefits communities and discuss the principles that guide us in creating these vital spaces.

Understanding the Importance of Inclusive Play Spaces

Play is inherently a social process. Through play, children and families learn to interact, communicate, and develop essential life skills together. However, individuals with disabilities often face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in play. In the United States, 13.6% of people have a disability.  Out of every 1,000 children under 18, approximately 72 have a disability. This includes a range of disabilities, from physical and sensory impairments to intellectual and emotional challenges. (1)

It is crucial to shift our understanding of disability from being a limitation to recognizing it as a difference in how an individual experiences play environments. When we design play spaces with the needs of everyone in mind, we create opportunities for entire families to engage, explore, and enjoy the benefits of play.

The Benefits of Inclusive Play Design for Communities

1. Empowering Families: Inclusive playgrounds create a sense of belonging for families of children with disabilities. When families feel welcomed and included, they are more likely to engage with their community, fostering a supportive network for all.
2. Fostering Social Connections: Inclusive playgrounds serve as community hubs where children of all abilities can come together. These spaces promote friendships and social interactions, breaking down barriers and fostering understanding among children and their families.
3. Encouraging Diversity: We celebrate diversity by designing play environments that cater to a wide range of abilities. Children learn to appreciate differences and develop empathy, which are essential skills for building inclusive communities.
4. Promoting Healthy Development: Play is vital for all children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Inclusive play spaces empower children to take healthy risks, explore their surroundings, and develop essential life skills in a safe environment.

Principles of Inclusive Play Design

To create effective inclusive play spaces, we adhere to key principles that guide our design process. (2)

1. Equitable Use: Play environments should be fair for all children, ensuring that everyone can participate regardless of their abilities.
2. Flexibility in Use: We design spaces that allow children to engage with play equipment in various ways, accommodating their diverse needs.
3. Simple and Intuitive Design: Play spaces should be easy to navigate and understand, allowing children to explore independently.
4. Perceptible Information: We ensure that information is conveyed in multiple ways, so all children can understand how to use the equipment.
5. Tolerance for Error: Play environments should be forgiving, allowing children to learn through trial and error without fear of failure.
6. Low Physical Effort: We design play spaces that require minimal physical exertion, making them accessible to children with varying levels of strength and mobility.
7. Appropriate Size and Space: Equipment and play areas should be designed with the appropriate dimensions to comfortably accommodate all children.
8. Self-Empowerment: Children learn best when they can make their own decisions, which means spaces that do not require parental intervention among many other strategies.
9. Social Interaction: Recreational spaces should encourage interaction amongst those who are there, regardless of age and other demographics.  This creates stronger bonds and communities.
10. Sensory Integration: The eight primary sensory systems are what inform our brains of what is happening around us. True inclusive play must address the challenges faced by the differences in sensory data interpretation.

By following these principles, we create play environments that meet accessibility standards and promote social inclusion and independence.

The Role of Sensory Integration in Play Design

A well-designed inclusive play space goes beyond traditional sensory experiences. It should engage all of a child's senses, including the less commonly recognized proprioceptive, interoceptive, and vestibular senses.

• Proprioceptive Sense: This sensory system helps children understand their body positioning, which is crucial for motor planning and coordination.
• Vestibular Sense: This sensory system contributes to balance and spatial orientation, supporting movement and exploration.
• Interoceptive: This sensory system informs the body of its internal workings and feelings such as hunger, thirst, temperature, and congestion.

By incorporating elements that inform these senses, we create play environments that support the needs of all users, fostering social, cognitive, and sensorimotor growth.

The Dignity of Risk

One of the most critical aspects of inclusive play design is the concept of the "Dignity of Risk." Regardless of their abilities, children should be able to take risks in play. This means allowing them to try new things, explore their limits, and learn from their experiences.

By providing safe yet challenging environments, we empower children to engage in risk-taking, which is essential for healthy development.

Building a Brighter Future Through Inclusive Play Design

We are committed to creating inclusive play spaces that benefit not only children with disabilities but the entire community that surrounds them. By understanding the diverse needs of disabilities and adhering to the principles of inclusive play design, we can foster environments where everyone feels valued and included.

As we continue to advocate for socially inclusive playgrounds, we invite you to join us in this mission. Together, we can create vibrant, welcoming spaces that celebrate the abilities of all children and strengthen our communities. If you are interested in learning more about inclusive play design or how you can get involved, please reach out to us. Let’s work together to build a brighter future through the power of play!

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About the Author

Chad Kennedy, PLA, CPSI, Director, Landscape Architecture, holds a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Utah State University. His interest in design-oriented childhood development and psychologically healthy play environments originates from a yearlong interdisciplinary disability course he participated in at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University nearly 20 years ago. Chad’s experience there made a lasting impression, guiding his passion for creating outdoor environments sensitive to all children’s development needs, promoting wellness and completeness, and providing unimpeded access to all who wish to participate. Chad has published numerous articles on child-focused design and presents nationally on these and related subjects. He co-authored a book, The Nature of Inclusive Play (3) in 2023 and designs health care gardens and recreational environments that meet those criteria, including many socially inclusive and sensory-integrated playgrounds.

Sources

1. 2020 US Census Data. https://data.census.gov/table?q=disability 
2. 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design. Playcore/Utah State University. 2010 
3. Wagenfeld, Amy, Kennedy, Chad. The Nature of Inclusive Play: A Guide for Designers, Educators, and Therapists. Routledge. 2024 https://www.routledge.com/The-Nature-of-Inclusive-Play-A-Guide-for-Designers-Educators-and-Therapists/Wagenfeld-Kennedy/p/book/9781032045801?srsltid=AfmBOoqH64581IH-kK8f2ubjC8Oe0-prJYthN5LWCIZ_vxvD-YdJr7b5