Play, the Inclusive Way

The benefits of play have long been recognised by experts.  But not every child is able to join in the fun at their local playground.  Play areas can often be unsuitable for children with disabilities.  Some offer no accessible play equipment while others have accessible equipment in separate play parks, giving no opportunity for disabled and non-disabled children to play together.  Now, disability charity, Scope, has launched the ‘Let’s Play Fair’ campaign to promote inclusivity and fun for everyone.

Families Left Out

Supporting the campaign is 12-year-old Lucy Bowen and her family.  Lucy’s rare condition means she uses a wheelchair and is non-verbal.  She communicates in her own way and she loves to play.  Sadly though, her nearest play park doesn’t include any adapted play equipment, meaning that Lucy can’t join in with other children even though she wants to.  The family could drive their mobility car to a nearby adapted park but unbelievably, it can only be accessed by stairs and doesn’t have a ramp for her wheelchair.

Lucy’s mum says: “My daughter can only sit in her wheelchair and watch the other children run around playing up high [on the play equipment]. Where’s the fun in that for her?” (BBC Online, 2022)

Consulting with Communities

Scope’s lead policy adviser, Emma Vogelmann, hopes the ‘Let’s Play Fair’ campaign will allow for more inclusivity and opportunity for everyone to have fun.  She makes the case that every child has an equal right to play and urges local authorities to plan more thoroughly in order to take everyone’s needs into account.  Emma wants to see more consultation between local authorities and communities when a new park is planned, allowing the opinions of families with disabled children to be heard.

Simple Changes, Big Results

The ‘Let’s Play Fair’ campaign has suggested various changes to key features in existing play areas that would make a difference.  As well as ramped access and wide, flat paths, they want to see more adapted play equipment such as ground level roundabouts incorporating fixings for wheelchairs.  Additional equipment in bright colours with calming sounds and tactile surfaces help children with sensory and visual disabilities to enjoy them.  Likewise, tactile floor surfaces and avoiding woodchip and sand around play equipment is beneficial to visually impaired children and wheelchair users.  Importantly, Lucy’s mum Sam wants to see these accessible features integrated into existing play parks so disabled and non-disabled children can play together.  She feels this would go a long way in helping families feel more seen.

She says: “We still enjoy being able to be part of normal society, which I think is massively huge.  I want families like ours to stop feeling hidden.” (BBC Online, 2022)

Find out more about Scope’s ‘Let’s Play Fair’ campaign at: scope.org.uk/lets-play-fair.