Improving playgrounds for children with vision and hearing disabilities
When children go to the playground, they do more than just play. A visit to the playground teaches them how to interact with others and build key developmental skills. When playgrounds are not fully inclusive, children with vision or hearing disabilities may be limited with play and not get these opportunities.
Thanks to the work of inclusive-play advocates and the greater use of inclusive design practices, playgrounds are evolving to better meet the needs of the greater disabled community.
Here are 5 ways to enhance playgrounds to be more inclusive for children with seeing and hearing disabilities:
Open Space and Wide Walkways
Open spaces and walkways make it easier for children who are deaf to communicate with sign language. An open layout also gives children with hearing disabilities greater special awareness of the area.
Install a Roller Slide
Children with cochlear implants need to avoid plastic slides at playgrounds due to static that could damage the device, but with a roller, concrete, or stainless-steel slide, children can enjoy going down a slide without static buildup.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments are a great feature to include, as even though deaf children may not hear the instruments, they still get to use their sense by watching them shake or feeling the vibration.
Contrasting Colours
Children who are blind or have low vision will benefit from having lots of colour on the playground. Contrasting colours can help children better perceive and differentiate playground features. For example, adding colour cues to playground steps will help children spot the changes in elevation and know how far they need to climb.
Communication Boards
Children can use a communication board to communicate to their friends how they would like to play at the playground. The communication board includes symbols and incorporates contrasting colours for those with low vision and hearing disabilities.
When thinking about incorporating these elements into a playground, be sure to do so in an intentional way, otherwise kids with disabilities could end up being isolated. Features such as a roller slide or colourful stairs can easily be incorporated into a playground so that everyone can have access to and use them. Contact us to see how we can help add these, or any other inclusive elements, to your playground!
