Playgrounds are designed to facilitate active fun for children; however, one thing playground owners and operators would be wise to consider is how best to make their playground usable for the broadest group of children possible. The first step in doing this is to make your playground compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. While the ADA features a variety of regulations pertaining to businesses and local governments, ensuring ADA compliance for your playground should be a fairly straightforward process.
According to the ADA, a compliant playground must include:
Ground Level Play Components are play items that can be accessed and exited at the ground level.
Elevated Play Components are play items that are accessed above or below grade, such as an elevated platform or deck.
The calculator above follows the calculations in this chart established by the ADA guidelines. It includes the minimum required number of Ground Play components based on Elevated Components. It also includes the number of different types of Ground-Level Play based on Elevated Play. Reference this chart during the planning process to make sure your playground is ADA-compliant.
| Number of Elevated Play Components | Minimum Number of Ground Level Components on an Accessible Route | Minimum Number of Different TYPES of Ground Level Play Components on an Accessible Route |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | N/A |
| 2-4 | 1 | 1 |
| 5-7 | 2 | 2 |
| 8-10 | 3 | 3 |
| 11-13 | 4 | 3 |
| 14-16 | 5 | 3 |
| 17-19 | 6 | 3 |
| 20-22 | 7 | 4 |
| 23-25 | 8 | 4 |
| 26+ | 8, plus 1 for each additional 3 after 25 | 5 |
Accessible playgrounds are those that have gone beyond the guidelines and specifically consider the needs of children with disabilities. Although the ADA does not specifically define “accessible,” the playground industry generally uses the terms fully accessible, wheelchair accessible, or handicap accessible for play equipment that is accessible by wheelchair. This means ramps instead of stairs, merry-go-rounds and swings with wheelchair access, poured rubber surfacing, and more. By incorporating ramps, specialized play equipment, and wheelchair-accessible features, accessible playgrounds ensure that kids with disabilities can engage in play alongside their peers.
ADA Compliant playgrounds are not necessarily fully accessible to those with disabilities. ADA Compliance is required by law in the U.S. on all public playgrounds, including parks, schools and HOAs. Accessible playgrounds are a step above ADA Compliant and are designed to be completely accessible by wheelchair. Since the ADA doesn’t account for every type of barrier that may be present, especially for those in wheelchairs, it’s important that playgrounds are made not just to be ADA compliant, but accessible or inclusive. Even if you know your playground is ADA compliant, you can further promote accessibility by adding components like wheelchair accessible swings or play structures with wheelchair ramps. Our experts can help to make sure your playground meets ADA guidelines.
ADA Compliant playgrounds are not necessarily fully accessible to those with disabilities. ADA Compliance is required by law in the U.S. on all public playgrounds, including parks, schools and HOAs. Accessible playgrounds are a step above ADA Compliant and are designed to be completely accessible by wheelchair. Since the ADA doesn’t account for every type of barrier that may be present, especially for those in wheelchairs, it’s important that playgrounds are made not just to be ADA compliant, but accessible or inclusive. Even if you know your playground is ADA compliant, you can further promote accessibility by adding components like wheelchair accessible swings or play structures with wheelchair ramps. Our experts can help to make sure your playground meets ADA guidelines.
An inclusive playground allows children with and without disabilities to engage in beneficial play together. This type of playground does not have a separate section for children with special needs; all of the equipment is designed to challenge children of all abilities. Inclusive playgrounds do not only offer access for children in wheelchairs, but also provide enrichment and sensory play for children with autism, sight-impairments, etc. Inclusive play will enable all children to play together in one place, excluding no one from the fun. Additionally, they also often have accommodations for adults of various ages to actively engage with the kids in their care.
Inclusive play equipment like swings and slides allows all children to join in the fun and promotes social interaction and play among children of different abilities as well as a sense of belonging and shared experiences. Inclusive swings in particular are also particularly beneficial for children with autism, as the repetitive swinging motions help them process sensory information and provide a sense of calm. And both inclusive swings and slides help improve motor skills, coordination, and social interactions for all children.
All children can benefit from sensory stimulation, but this is especially true for children with autism. Activities that cater to the senses, such as touch, sound, and visual stimuli, offer opportunities for children to explore and interact in a unique and enjoyable way. For instance, introducing musical equipment like chimes can encourage children to experiment with different sounds and create their own melodies, and sensory elements such as tactile sandboxes provide avenues for children to engage in cooperative play, while also creating a vibrant and stimulating environment that captivates their interest. By incorporating sensory activities, playgrounds can offer a diverse range of experiences that cater to children's individual preferences and abilities, ultimately making the space more inclusive, inviting, and engaging for all..
We do offer financing and work hard to keep our prices low, but you may also be able to get help from organizations like KaBOOM!, a nonprofit that offers grants and resources specifically designed to assist in building safe and inclusive playgrounds.
Playgrounds need to follow ADA standards, whether you’re updating areas on your site or putting in all new equipment. But when you make your playground accessible or inclusive, instead of just ADA-compliant, playground equipment can open a door of possibilities for children of all ages and physical abilities. By choosing to make your playgrounds accessible and inclusive instead of just meeting the minimum requirements, you can provide a space where all children can have fun and thrive. When you have features like ramps that open up elevated play components to all children, inclusive slides that foster social skills and coordination, ground-level play activities for easy access, and sensory activities that cater to children with autism while being enjoyable for all kids, more children can have fun and socialize with others. Inclusive swings and wheelchair-accessible equipment further ensure that every child can partake in the joy of play. At AAA State of Play, we offer a plethora of ADA accessible commercial playground equipment and products that are accessible by wheelchair and children of any physical abilities
Playgrounds need to follow ADA standards, whether you’re updating areas on your site or putting in all new equipment. But by making your playground accessible or inclusive, instead of just compliant, you can open a door of possibilities for children of all ages and physical abilities. More children can have fun and socialize with others through the inclusion of an ADA accessible commercial playground. At AAA State of Play, we offer a plethora of equipment and products that are accessible by wheelchair and children of any physical abilities.
