Children enjoy playing with other kids on the playgrounds,
but kids with disabilities must often sit on the sidelines not engaged in
active play with others. Why? Many
playgrounds lack proper equipment to accommodate their specific needs. So how
can you help? If you are considering a
playground project for a school, city or neighborhood park, consider building
an inclusive playground. When playgrounds are inclusive, they not only help
disabled children, but also many other children in your community. Here are
some main benefits of offering an inclusive playground, and how they benefit a
community and serve all children.

What is Inclusive Play?

Simply put, inclusive play, means all children, regardless
of their ability, gender, age or background, should be given the same
opportunities to explore, discover and achieve during play. As disabled
children get the chance to socialize with others during inclusive play, they are
able to see past their differences, and focus more on their similarities with
other children rather than any differences of size, ability, gender, etc.

Benefits of Inclusive Playgrounds for Children and Families

Socialization is one of the most important advantages of
offering an inclusive playground.
Tragically, too many children with disabilities spend a great deal of their
free time alone or away from other children, often staring at computer or
televisions indoors. As a result, they do not receive positive feedback needed
from peers during play. Thanks to inclusive playgrounds, children with
disabilities or differences can interact with peers and feel better about
themselves, while also developing physical skills and abilities.

Another huge benefit of inclusive playgrounds is they
promote active play, and can help kids build decision and problem solving
skills. As kids play, they develop social abilities, enhance their
communication skills, and receive physical benefits of gross motor skill
activity and exercise.

In addition to kids participating in active play with peers,
their parents, grandparents or caretakers are able to access the playground.
Adults get to socialize with other adults while their kids are playing and
socializing with other kids. Sadly, parents or caretakers of disabled children
can become as isolated as their children when they do not get out of the house
much or interact with other adults.

How Inclusive Playgrounds Help Communities

When disabled children have access to inclusive playgrounds it
also benefits children who do not have disabilities. It teaches them that all
people have similarities and differences. Kids soon learn the importance of
accepting children who are not like them, making everyone more tolerant of
others. In turn, children learn to become more sensitive and aware of the needs
of their peers and others around them in the world – a good life-skill we could
all use.

Inclusive playgrounds foster friendships because they offer
more variety in the types of activities and materials, allowing more
opportunities to interact with each other in creative, fun ways. Once children,
without disabilities, socialize and interact with children who do have
disabilities, they often realize how much they do have in common rather than
focusing on any differences.

Here at Noah’s Park and Playgrounds, our
designers know the importance of offering proper playgrounds to foster play for
children of all abilities. Inclusive playgrounds are critical to all our
customers whether they are schools, childcare facilities, city parks, HOA
parks, apartments, churches and many more. We offer only commercial-grade
equipment that is durable and safe, while able to meet the needs of all
children. For example, the outdoor fitness Tai Chi Spinner, besides other equipment that is wheelchair friendly which
can help develop strength and flexibility to all children.

Over the years Noah’s Park and Playgrounds has become
specialized at creating custom ADA Accessible playgrounds and play spaces for
many of our customers who must offer accessible equipment. If you are in need
of an inclusive playground for your elementary school, childcare center, church,
city park, HOA, etc., please contact us to find out more about how our wide
range of products can help. Need ideas for inclusive playgrounds? Take a quick look at some of our past custom ADA accessible playground sites on our portfolio pages of our website.