I received a few emails from people wanting information about how to make playgrounds accessible for children with disabilities. Please click above for a link to an article about Shane's Inspiration park in California and a link to the organization called Shane's Inspiration.
Shane's Inspiration park is a universally accessible playground built in 2000 by the parents of a child who passed away from spinal muscular atrophy. It's considered the prototype for playgrounds for kids with disabilities and since its construction 21 other playgrounds have been planned in California alone based on its model. Places as far away as Israel and India have shown interest.
The best thing about the park is that children with disabilities can play next to kids without disabilities. Some of the equipment is geared toward kids with disabilities but the design is set up to appeal to all children.
Inclusion. It's a wonderful thing.
3 comments:
Thanks! This is what I was looking for.
We were just at the West LA site built by Shane's Inspiration, called Aidan's Place, yesterday for the Shane's Club monthly playdate. It's not just the playgrounds themselves-- the SI folks are very, very good at organizing events at their playgrounds, finding sponsors for snacks and music and crafts tables, hiring buses so kids in other parts of the city can attend. Maintenance is a priority, so they're always in good repair, safe, clean, brightly colored, instantly appealing. They really make the playgrounds a showcase.
You hit on the important point in your last sentence: this is a park for *all* children. So why are towns and schools and churches still building playgrounds that only *some* kids (and adults) can enjoy? There's a better way.
Thanks for the extra information, Penny. Appreciate it!
Post a Comment