Up to six per cent of school-aged children in the UK are disabled and while there are 100s of fun and exciting play parks in Devon, not all of them are accessible for wheelchair users. Not having access to a suitable play park could leave disabled children suffering additional educational or social disadvantage. Therefore, playgrounds should be a place where children can thrive, developing their social, mental and physical skills. If children do not have access to these school and public playgrounds they could feel left out with their peer groups and could suffer socially and mentally due to the inability to develop within a recreational setting with others.
Here at Rhino Play, we believe that all children should have access to a range of fun and exciting playground equipment that helps develop their abilities and senses, all whilst socialising with their peers. This is why Rhino Play has a range of accessible playground equipment and inclusive play products that children of all ages and abilities can enjoy.
In this article, we will be outlining different ways that schools, community centres and local parks can design their play parks to ensure all children, less and fully-abled, can play, learn and enjoy their playgrounds, together.
Numerous studies have been conducted to show that outdoor play benefits children in various ways, both mentally and physically. Outdoor play can help improve children’s problem-solving skills, social skills, and many more. See how physical activity enhances children’s health and abilities in our blog post ‘The Benefits of Tim Trails for Schools and Personal Development‘.
However, not all children can play on traditional playground equipment or apparatus. Wheelchair users, for example, may face accessibility issues for things such as Adventure Climbers and Climbing Walls and this is why it’s important to consider the accessibility of your playground design and installation, especially if you’re a local authority or community group who invites people, both fully and less abled, into your outdoor spaces. In contrast, autistic children may find bright and busy spaces overwhelming and as for this, Rhino Play can help you design a bespoke playground for children of all ages and abilities, with our wide variety of outdoor equipment and years of experience.
Ensuring your playground is both inclusive and accessible is incredibly important for providing an exciting playground for children of all abilities to enjoy.
Accessible playgrounds enable all wheelchair users to have access to a wide range of playground equipment. That all areas of the park can be reached without a challenge. Accessible playgrounds may also include widening pathways around playing fields, easy to open gates, or wheelchair ramps to ensure wheelchair users can get all areas of the park with ease.
Inclusive playgrounds ensure all children, young people and adults are engaged and connected with the range of equipment on offer. Inclusive playgrounds should have areas where lots of children can enjoy and play together and quieter spaces for those who need a bit of space.
To ensure all children of all abilities can play, socialise and learn together, schools, community group outdoor spaces and local parks should be inclusive and accessible.
When designing your playground, ensure all children can move around the playground and easily access all equipment—ensuring that any inclines are gentle and smooth. Ideally, include popular equipment near the playground entrance where children with physical disabilities can walk directly to the equipment without issues. If your site includes any raised areas or tall pieces of equipment, such as a Boat, Ship or Nautical Play Frames, access ramps or raised stages should be provided so children can still partake in any games with their friends.
While it is crucial to ensure the popular equipment is close to the playground entrance, it is also essential to have some play equipment or play areas away from the centre of the playground. This is to ensure that the children who may become overwhelmed with busy places can still enjoy the equipment available whilst having a quiet space. Features such as playhouses, cabins and stages can provide a safe space for children while still allowing them to ignite their imaginations with roleplay games.
Here at Rhino Play, we have provided schools, community centres, local businesses and councils with playground equipment for almost a decade. During this time, we have helped design a wide range of bespoke playgrounds for children of all ages and abilities. We believe in delivering the best possible products to encourage growth and learning through play for all. This is why we have developed a wide range of playground products which more minor and full abled children can enjoy.
We have designed a wide range of play panels that can be used to reinforce what children have learnt during their lessons, such as telling the time, date and weather. Other play panels can be used during role play with pirate cutouts, post offices and shop fronts. Play Panels can be installed at ground level for wheelchair access.
Our wheelchair swing allows children and adult wheelchair users to enjoy the sensation of swinging through the air in a safe and controlled environment. Just like the above image, you can add safety surfacing, for example, our rubber mulch surfacing, to ensure a smooth entrance and exit onto the swing, as well as making it safer for the user in wet or cold conditions.
Please note our wheelchair swing can only be fitted in supervised and secure SEN schools. To find out more please contact us at info@rhinoplay.co.uk
Fitted flush to the ground, the wheelchair DDA roundabout allows easy wheelchair access. The roundabout also has additional space for careers, parents and friends to enjoy the experience of spinning in a safe and controlled way.
Playground markings are made using a thermoplastic material for enhanced durability and can be used to play games, such as snakes and ladders, playground dartboard (where bean bags can be thrown from a distance away), ludo and many more.
Markings can be educational, decorative, or encourage sports play, role play and much more – your imagination is the limit! With people, vehicles and building markings available, your playground can be transformed into your very own town.
Rhino Play’s mountain lodge can provide a perfect meeting, eating, or playhouse for all children. With plenty of room within the lodge for wheelchairs, children can play, eat and hang out away from the hustle and bustle of the main playground in sheltered comfort.
If you would like to ensure your school, business, or local community playground is accessible and inclusive for children of all ages and abilities. Contact a member of the Rhino Play team today. We would love to chat with you and design a bespoke playground suitable for your needs.
Contact us today at info@rhinoplay.co.uk.
"Please note that we don't offer domestic / home garden play equipment generally."
