Playground design for children with movement disabilities: How can existing playgrounds be better adapted to different needs?

Abstract

is an essential part of childhood, but despite laws and regulations play is not equally accessible to children with movement disabilities. Previous research emphasizes the importance of play and explains the negative impact of lacking opportunities for play. Research shows that more equal play options are necessary, but suggested solutions are commonly centered around quantitative metrics or new playgrounds. Old playgrounds are often left partly or fully inaccessible to children with movement disabilities. The question is then: How can an existing playground be adapted to create more equal opportunities for play for children with movement disabilities? This thesis uses literature studies and case studies in combination with interviews of key stakeholders to explore how to better accommodate children with movement disabilities. Playgrounds can be adapted to children in different ways, but there are three core design principles. The first is to even out the imbalance in play options between children with different abilities. The second is to work site specific, since every playground is different. The third is to provide opportunities for children with different abilities to play together. To test these design principles, a design project was made in the playground in Nässjö city park. The aim is to seamlessly integrate opportunities for play for children with movement disabilities into an existing play landscape. To also consider the environment, changes will be made mainly with reused or natural materials. Two features of the current playground were chosen as the main focus and intervention points. The first is the obstacle course which circles the whole playground, inspired by nature play and playotopes design strategies. The second is the presence of waterthemed elements around the playground. Neither of these main features are accessible to children with movement disabilities, especially not for those with mobility aids. By designing alternative routes for the obstacle course and building upon the water theme through new play equipment, opportunities are created for children with movement disabilities to participate in play related to some of the main activities in the playground. This creates more equal experience, as well as providing new play equipment which everyone can use.