Cerebral Palsy and Inclusive Playgrounds

Fact Checked

Inclusive playgrounds are essential for children with cerebral palsy to have greater access to play and physical fitness. Parks in the U.S. are typically non-inclusive, meaning children with disabilities do not have all the special accommodations needed to be as safe as possible while playing. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has mandated that play areas and parks be accessible to all children.[1].

The Importance of Play

It may seem like only fun and games, but play is an integral part of growing up that helps develop intellectual, emotional, sensory, social, and physical skills.

Children need a safe place to play to nurture these areas of growth. Playgrounds should be where children can access fresh air, space, and play equipment.

As you assess the parks around you, you may ask what accommodations are being made for children’s physical disabilities or how many swings are available to accommodate children in wheelchairs.

Some may argue that it is simply too expensive to create areas within playgrounds for every type of disability. Others argue that cost should not be a barrier to supporting the healthy development of all children.

Universally-designed playgrounds seem to be the answer to the issue. These spaces allow all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, a way to play freely.

About Universally Designed Playgrounds

Universally designed playgrounds, also called inclusive playgrounds or universally accessible play environments, are created so that every child can challenge all five areas of developmental skills during play.[2]

Kids with cerebral palsy and other disabilities often need different avenues for reaching developmental milestones. For instance, some children do better with less sensory stimulation, while others need more.

Inclusive playgrounds allow several different options for children to choose from, typically divided into several different areas within the play area.

Inclusive playgrounds not only meet the current ADA standards, but they go above and beyond the requirements by:

• Creating play environments that help children of all abilities develop their cognitive, emotional, physical, sensory, and social needs
• Meeting the needs of the wide range of disabilities that children with disorders experience
• Creating a design appropriate for different ages and levels of physical fitness
• Building a common ground between all children, regardless of disabilities
• Providing ground surfaces and wide ramps for children who use mobility aids, such as wheelchairs

When common play areas transition to inclusive spaces, you will see many updates and accommodations to meet the needs of all children:

• Slide stairs are changed to support and transfer steps
• Spacious walker and wheelchair accesses are added to play bridges
• Swings have seat belts and safer seats
• Steps are replaced with ramps

Inclusive play areas also have a rich selection of sensory tools, such as sand, child-friendly water sprinklers or fountains, tactile objects, noisemakers, and bright-colored themes.

Getting an Inclusive Playground Close to Home

If you do not have a universally-designed playground in your community, there are several steps you can take to help your community create one:

• Speak with local chapters of disability organizations about sponsorship and funding, such as the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Easter Seals, and United Way.
• Reach out to the parks and recreation department in your area and inquire if there’s a way for citizens to help raise funds for an inclusive playground.
• Get the local media interested, which can help spread awareness.
• Talk to officials at your city’s town hall (be sure to be prepared to educate them as much as possible about the benefits of an inclusive playground).
• Speak with school officials, particularly if there are many children with special needs.
• Start a fundraiser (Note: Having funds will help you in your mission, but it often takes a lot of time and can be taxing. Getting non-profit support will make things easier).

If your child struggles to access playground equipment, it limits their fun and development. Take steps to find or implement more inclusion in your neighborhood.