The Fear of Missing Out, or FOMO, is a feeling that everyone experiences. As adults, we have matured enough to combat this fear through logic and experience, but we can’t expect this in our children, especially in the playground. The solution is that we, the adults, try our best to cater to their every need so they don’t feel left out.
But you may be wondering if it really matters in the playground; the fact is—it does. Playgrounds are essential for our children's physical, mental, and social development, as proven scientifically by various researchers all around the globe.
This has led to the formation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which helps ensure that playgrounds, whether they’re indoor or outdoor playgrounds, are accessible to all children, including those with disabilities.
Design your playground in compliance with ADA guidelines by following the information provided below:
The ADA has set guidelines for us to follow to make our indoor or outdoor playground accessible.
This way, we won't have to stress ourselves on how to include every child in the fun properly; we can just follow ADA's guidelines:
Accessible Routes: Imagine pathways wide enough for wheelchairs to glide easily, connecting every active play space. These routes should link all parts of the playground, ensuring no child is left out of the fun.
Reachable Components: Every community or school playground equipment should be within reach for all kids, from ground-level play space to exciting adventure elevated areas.
Playground Safety Surfacing: The ground should be firm and stable, perfect for wheelchairs to roll smoothly, yet safe and comfortable for everyone else.
Creating accessible routes and surfaces is like laying out a welcome mat for every child, allowing them to easily use your commercial playground equipment.
Seamless Connection: Installation of ramps, smooth pathways, or transfer systems to help kids move around the playground equipment in your park or school more easily.
Spacious Paths: Wheelchairs must be able to pass by each other without a hitch, requiring ground-level paths to be at least 5 feet wide.
Gentle Ramps: Ramps leading to higher playground structures should have a gentle slope—no steeper than 1:12—making them easy to navigate.
Firm and Stable Ground: The surface should be solid and resilient, perfect for wheelchairs, yet safe and comfortable for all kids.
Impact-Absorbing Materials: Playground safety surfacing must be both wheelchair friendly and pass ASTM International standards in reducing fall injury. The best choice will be poured-in-place rubber, but a more economical option would be engineered wood fiber, as long as it's properly installed.
Now that children of all abilities can access all your playground structures, let's talk about the key ADA-compliant features that can be incorporated into your commercial playground equipment.
Universal Play Sets: Swings, slides, and play structures should be accessible to all kids, ensuring no one misses out, for example, wheelchair platform swings, adaptive seats, wheelchair merry-go-rounds, and many more.
Transfer Systems: If ramps are not available, steps or platforms can assist children in transitioning from wheelchairs to higher commercial playground structures.
Supportive Equipment: Handrails and supports help kids transfer safely between different types and parts of the playground equipment.
Elevated Access: At least 50% of elevated outdoor equipment, like bridges or climbing structures, should be accessible via ramps or transfer systems. Take advantage of our online component calculator and chart here.
Sensory play elements—what are they? And why are they important?
Sensory play involves activities that engage a child's senses—touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste—through exploration, interaction and imaginative play.
Sensory play is a perfect fit for kids with disabilities because it boosts their cognitive and motor skills, fosters social connections, and most especially helps with emotional regulation by providing a calming effect on children's anxious feelings or when they become overwhelmed.
Sound Panels and Textured Surfaces: Include activities that stimulate touch, sight, and sound, like sound panels and textured surfaces.
Tactile Elements: Add bumpy or soft surfaces to help kids explore through touch. You can also incorporate playground toys and equipment with sensory elements to add more fun.
Auditory Features: You can also include musical playground toys and equipment, such as percussion instruments, chimes, and even a full ensemble.
Visual Contrasts: Help children with limited vision navigate by using contrasting colors.
Timeout Space: Include safe spaces for kids to cool down when they get overwhelmed.
Inclusive playgrounds support kids across abilities with cognitive, physical, and emotional development.
Inclusive playground equipment like accessible swing sets and sensory-rich play panels ensures that kids of all abilities participate in the fun. This is important for their confidence and self-esteem.
Allowing them to engage in the same activities as their peers encourages social interactions and helps them connect, nurturing empathy early on.
Inclusive playgrounds further help children with different abilities build self-esteem and boost confidence by making every child feel valued and capable. When kids overcome challenges on the playground, like mastering a new piece of playground equipment, they gain a sense of achievement that boosts their confidence.
Inclusive playgrounds create spaces where friends, parents, siblings, and even grandparents can join in the fun, regardless of their abilities.
They provide a place where families from different backgrounds and with diverse abilities can come together, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect.
These playgrounds, whether in parks or schools, become a beacon of community pride, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility that will benefit everyone for many years.
We don't want anyone, particularly kids with different abilities, to feel left out. That is why the ADA established guidelines to ensure active play is accessible to all, especially at the playground.
Playgrounds are not just spaces for exercise and physical activity—they are environments where children learn social skills, build confidence, and form connections.
By embracing ADA guidelines and incorporating inclusive community or school playground equipment, we ensure every child can fully participate in these formative experiences, regardless of ability.
Inclusive playgrounds empower children of all abilities to engage, explore, and thrive. They also foster empathy and unity within our communities, creating a space where everyone—kids, families, and neighbors—can come together and share in the joy of play. By meeting children's needs on the playground, we also build a more compassionate, inclusive world for all.
Have a look at our component calculator and chart here, and don't miss out on valuable resources that will help you in designing your ideal playground.
Ready? Confused? Need assistance? Find a representative near you and contact us directly so we can assist you with planning, design, and installation; we will be there every step of the way.
It’s never bad to expand one’s knowledge and wisdom and these articles will definitely help you in your journey to include everyone.
