Wheelchair Accessibility
All kids need positive play experiences for good development. Often children with reduced mobility have difficulty finding play areas that accommodate their needs. PlayWorks Play Consultants are familiar with the strategies for designing accessible playgrounds as outlined in the CSA and ADA playground design standards for accessibility and will apply them where appropriate.
Accessibility strategies involve the effective configuration of structures, choice of accessible components, and the use of resilient surfaces to design in travel routes to the play equipment. Through careful design, children with limited mobility can be given access to almost the entire play ground, even the elevated play structures. Transfer stations are incorporated as platforms that allow wheelchair users to move out of their chair and onto the structure. The kids can then crawl throughout pre-designed routes and engage in active play or ramps can be used on bigger structures.
PlayWorks highly recommends incorporating play components like the rotating nets and multi-user swings that provide access, with the aid of a caregiver, inclusion in group play and safe, engaging playground experiences.
Common choices for firm but resilient surfaces include poured in place rubber, rubber tiles, playground carpet, artificial grass, and engineered wood fibers.
There are added costs for surfacing and some design considerations when making a playground wheelchair accessible, but there are many social benefits of making a space available to all users.
To learn more about accessibility standards, designs, benefits, and installations, please contact us.