Playgrounds for children with physical disabilities?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I'm a special educator who works in an inclusive preschool. Most of the kids I work with have developmental issues such as sensory processing problems, language delays, or autistic spectrum disorders. I don't really have much experience at all with physical disabiliities.

Anyway, the school I work at is in the process of planning a new playground. We have raised a lot of money and we'd like to make it as fantastic as possible, and also as accessible as possible for all kinds of kids.

If you're a parent of a child with a disability (any kind, but particularly children with physical disabilities) can you tell me what kinds of things your child likes or would like on a playground? What things bother you the most (e.g. a playground near me just put in some beautiful expensive musical instruments -- the kind you could roll a wheelchair under and play with, except that they put them on 4 inch tall platforms with no ramps, and not even any steps!)? Are there things that are just a waste of money because kids don't find them fun?

Thanks!

 

[Karalynn]

My dd is 6 and in a wheelchair, so anything that is wheelchair accessable is great!!! I would also suggest a couple swings that are designed for kids who need xtra support and a 5pt harness. They have these available on many of the special needs equipment websites. I love the playgrounds that have the foamy ground rather than the large wood chips. It is obviously much easier to get around. Also something neat would be a ramp that they can wheel up to get on the higher levels, you know how some playgrounds have the 'bridge' connecting two sections that you have to climb stairs or ladders to get to then the slides are off those. I usually climb with my dd which is getting harder, but she LOVES to stand up there and look down on everyone!!
Someone also posted a while back about an accessable playgroung that Milton Bradley sponsored, if you do a search on the web, they show pictures. You could get some ideas there.

Oh have fun! This sounds like a great project to be involved in!! And thanks for asking here, I'm sure you'll get some great ideas.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Thanks! Those are great ideas! Other ideas we had were sand tables that you could wheel up to, musical instruments a child could play from either a seated or standing position, little houses and store fronts that children could play pretend in.

Also we have several rabbit hutches on the playground, and would like to replace them with enclosures more like chicken coops with a gate/doorway big enough for a child to wheel into.

Do those sound like things your daughter would enjoy?

 

[dclfun]

MDA's magazine, online it's www.Quest.com has an article this month on accessible playgrounds and links to several sites that provide equipment and support for communities looking to build one. You might want to check out these resources. ---Kathy

 

[minkydog]

my son is autistic and has some mobility issues. He walks but loses his balance very easily so playgrounds have been difficult. I like for him to go to accomodative playgrounds which draw normal kids, too. The ones that work the best for him have long, low wheelchair ramps that he can happily walk back & forth on. They have foam padding rather than wood chips, so he doesn't stumble on "potholes". Swings with high backs and a seat belt. Christian likes to climb, but can't manage ladders, so wide stairs with railings are necessary. Preferably large enough to accomodate him & an adult helper. Long slow wide slides. Bridges with hand rails--for some reason he is fascinated by bridges. wide platforms under high structures so he can sit down--he likes to be "under" but not in a small space. And a 3ft fence around the whole thing with a small entrance--that's the best. My son can move about freely in a playground like this and I don't worry that he's going to wander off and get hurt.

 

[XYSRUS]

Wow-glad you're thinking about this. By me a new playground has opened to the public for disabled and non-disabled kids. It is fantastic. It can be seen at Prestonshope.com Hopefully this can give you some suggestions or maybe you contact the developers. Good luck with your project! It's great to see another accessible place in the works!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Thank you all for all your thoughts and links! A lot of your ideas are things we're planning on including such as ramp access to the highest point on the playground and a wheelchair accessible "wobbly bridge".

I have one more question. We are just beginning to establish a partnership with a school that serves exclusively children with severe disabilities. A group of children from this school is coming on a "playdate" at our school. We were touring the school with their teachers today in preparation for this playdate and I apologized for the fact that the ramps we have to our equipment now are pretty steep (not ADA compliant). One of the teachers commented that she's never met a preschooler in a wheelchair who can move their own chair, and so the height of the ramp wasn't that important as long as an adult could push them up (which they could easily do with the ramps we now have). This school only serves children who have significant cognitive disabilities, with or without physical disabilities, so I wondered if other people found that statement to be true for their own children.

Thanks again!

 

[dclfun]

I was an Occupational Therapist in the school system in Louisiana. We certainly did have preschool children that were maneuvering their own manual chairs or even power chairs, so the ramps do need to be compliant and at an appropriate slope.---Kathy

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Thanks Kathy!

I suspected that the comment applied to the population of children they are working with, and wasn't true for all children with physical disabilities.

I think we're going to end up with 1 middle sized structure, 1 smaller structure, and then a lot of ground level pieces like musical instruments, play houses, a trike track with a play "gas station", an obstacle course (with a accessible path along side so that two children can go along it together via different routes) a sand box (with a sand table), swings (with at least 1 with a high back and harness), etc . . . Given the configuration of the site I think we're going to end up with the largest structure having ramp access to the very top, with the smaller structures accessible by transfer steps to the top. The reason why I asked is I wondered whether if we put a ramp that's too steep to be compliant onto the smaller structure, if that would be helpful, unhelpful, or dangerous? For that part of the site I don't think there's any way to fit in a full ramp.

I'd love to hear more thoughts from people!

 

[tigger2on]

Hi
I have a severely disabled child in Canada and they built this in a community to promote inclusion. It is in a public park and about a 30 minute drive from our house but we go quite frequently. You might be able to get some great ideas... ) Good Luck!
http://www.zontamississauga.org/zap.htm

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Tigger,

That looks great! Can you tell me what are your son's favorite things?

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

I was an Occupational Therapist in the school system in Louisiana. We certainly did have preschool children that were maneuvering their own manual chairs or even power chairs, so the ramps do need to be compliant and at an appropriate slope.---Kathy

I agree with Kathy.
My DD got her first manual wheelchair when she was not quite 3; by a few months after she got it, she was pretty good (but very slow) at manouvering it.

The reason why I asked is I wondered whether if we put a ramp that's too steep to be compliant onto the smaller structure, if that would be helpful, unhelpful, or dangerous? For that part of the site I don't think there's any way to fit in a full ramp.

You should check the building codes in your area. In many areas you would have to get a building permit for a project like you are talking about and the building inspector might prohibit you from building too steep of a ramp.

My personal feeling is that if your only choice is a non-compliant ramp, you would be better off scaling down your project to either make room for a ramp or make the top part lower to avoid a ramp. Having one that is too steep could be dangerous.

If you have access to Exceptional Parent magazine, there was an article about inclusive playgrounds in the September 2006 issue. A lot of the article was about a nonprofit organization called Boundless Playgrounds.

 

[wishspirit]

I volunteer at a local disabled playscheme for children during the holidays. The kids can be both physically disabled or have learning disablilities and range from 8-17!

Anywho, we have a local park near by, which has one disabled swing, which the kids loved as it had a rope, meaning those who had the strength could swing themselves. The only problem is vandalism, and it was constantly being locked up and we had to plan weeks in advance to use it!

We found that high backed swings were great, as well as sandpits, climbing frames that weren't too challanging and music makers were all great at keeping the kids amused. Play houses also went down a treat as well, although getting them out was hard work! We also had a roundabout, which we could hold ki's on our laps playing on, it was great fun for them, slightly nausiating for us!

Only a few things to keep in mind, firstly that adults have to be able to go on these things to get kids off, we had one particularly nasty climbing frame which had too many areas a kid could hide in, and not leave!
Secondly, fencing is very important, and needs to be secure, and gate need to be lockable from the outside, they will run if they have a chance.
Thirdly, terrain, make it easily navigateable, pushing a wheelchair over woodchips is hard!
Also adequate shade is vital, this park had no shade, and in summer we were worried these kid's were gonna suffer heat stroke, as they often dont know when to stop and rest!

Just a few notes i picked up whilst navigating these areas myself (and banging my head plenty of times in the process)

I hope this helps!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Wishspirit -- that helps a lot!

My ideas of what the playground might look at are really coming together. A lot of the things that people have mentioned we'll definitely have -- fence, accessible surface, sand (both ground level and on an elevated sand table), water (both ground and elevated), musical instruments, play houses big enough to wheel in and out, ramp access to the highest point on the playground.

My next question is about "transfer platforms". Our physical therapist wants a "short, narrow flight of stairs with hand railings on each side" for kids to practice stair climbing. If we have those stairs, which obviously wouldn't be suitable for transfers, and a ramp that is compliant and goes all the way to the top -- does that cover everybody, or are their children who can use a transfer platform but not a ramp? Or does having the transfer platform help children get out of their wheelchair to be in a position to use slides etc . . . ?

Thanks!

 

[Mason7AK]

My son got his first wheelchair when he was 15 months old. He could push it and do circles within two weeks! So it is not necessarily true that preschoolers cannot move their own chairs! He used to get really frustrated with ramps that were to steep - still does (he is four now)! Every child is different - even ones with DISabilities! LOL
Angela

 

[flying_babyb]

Stairs are a great idea. I worked with a child who was not chair bound but used a walker and alot of times just kinda dragged her legs. She was working on learning to walk. One thing she just loved was a small climber we had that had the fake rocks. This was a child who no one thought would ever make it to the top. well, after much stuggling, she made it to the top and was so happy she sat there and sobbed. Try to include those little chalanges for children who are willing to try them. Ive noticed no one has mentioned having a sports area. We had a blacktopped area that had a smaller basketball hoop in it, THe older preschoolers loved it. It was one of those adjustable little tykes ones. The boys loved it when we took pvc pipes and built two football (simmlar to this with no net on top). It was just a simple goalpost that was low. It made the kids so happy. the boys could play there verion of football (all in wheel chairs) and have a chance to get a goal.


EVER seen these:
http://www.sunnews.com/images/2002/1114/BR2151.jpg

 

[SueM in MN]

Stairs are a great idea. I worked with a child who was not chair bound but used a walker and alot of times just kinda dragged her legs. She was working on learning to walk. One thing she just loved was a small climber we had that had the fake rocks. This was a child who no one thought would ever make it to the top. well, after much stuggling, she made it to the top and was so happy she sat there and sobbed. Try to include those little chalanges for children who are willing to try them.

When my DD was between 4 and 5, she so much wanted to be able to climb the ladder to the slide at her daycare. At first, the staff thought she just wanted to go down the slide, so they lifted her up and let her go down the slide. She made it very clear to them that what she wanted was to go up the ladder like everyone else. I was very happy to say that they took the time and effort to help her do it. It took almost the whole summer before she was actually able to make it all the way up (and I was not there to see when it happened), but the smile on her face when the staff was telling me about her success was one of those "Priceless" moments.

Ive noticed no one has mentioned having a sports area. We had a blacktopped area that had a smaller basketball hoop in it, THe older preschoolers loved it. It was one of those adjustable little tykes ones. The boys loved it when we took pvc pipes and built two football (simmlar to this with no net on top). It was just a simple goalpost that was low. It made the kids so happy. the boys could play there verion of football (all in wheel chairs) and have a chance to get a goal.


EVER seen these:
http://www.sunnews.com/images/2002/1114/BR2151.jpg

I think that things like that would be very popular. Most kids with disabilities want to do some of the same things they see kids without disabilities playing with.

 

[flying_babyb]

if you look at what a playground for other kids has, thats what a playground for disabled kids needs. Just because a child is disabled dosnet mean they dont wanna be the same.

sue- Thats what I did, me and julia spent 6 long months working on walking, playing, climbing. When I left my job (I darn near cried cause I was going to miss the kids) she was pretty close to being one of the crowed.

 

[SueM in MN]

if you look at what a playground for other kids has, thats what a playground for disabled kids needs. Just because a child is disabled dosnet mean they dont wanna be the same.

sue- Thats what I did, me and julia spent 6 long months working on walking, playing, climbing. When I left my job (I darn near cried cause I was going to miss the kids) she was pretty close to being one of the crowed.

My DD is a young adult now, but I still think of those special day care people at least once a week. My DD used to walk some with a walker (and she's got a gait trainer ordered), but her 'best' way of getting around when she was 4-5 years was crawling. When the day care had an olympics, they made sure they had some things appropriate for everyone. One of the events for the older kids was crawling - and my DD won that one since none of the older kids had crawled in a long time, while she did it every day.

 

[flying_babyb]

I would do the same. When we had anything to do I would make sure the girl could do it too. Nothing as priceless as a wacthing her eat her first push up pop.