Download Creating More Inclusive Playground Structures

Design Challenge:
Creating More Inclusive Playground Structures
Overview
“Children with disabilities are often excluded from, or restrained in, play activities because of
the physical barriers of play structures and the surrounding environment” (Ripat & Becker,
2012). According to the United Nations, 10% of the world’s population has a disability. Canada
and the United States report the rate of disability closer to 20%. It was reported that only 17
parks and playgrounds in BC were identified as being fully accessible (Accessible Playgrounds,
2014).
Design Rationale
Canada is often described as being a civil society. We pride ourselves in our inclusion of others
and our respect of diversity. However, 1 in 7 Canadians are excluded from enjoying our
playgrounds and municipal parks. We need to revisit the notion of accessibility and ensure our
play areas are inclusive for all users, including the disabled and the elderly.
Problem Scenario
Your team has been selected to develop a prototype of a structural element or component of a
playground that is inclusive, safe, fun, and engaging. It needs to foster fitness, flexibility, and a
joy of play. Your team needs to consider issues of mobility, access, sensory challenges, etc.
Your playground structure must be a small-scaled prototype of a structural element or
component that could be found in a playground. It must satisfy two of the following identified
concerns:
 Be accessible for someone with mobility issues
 Be accessible for users of variable heights / sizes
 Be accessible for someone with sensory issues
 Be accessible for someone with cognitive challenges
 Enjoyable for users of all ages
Success will be determined by
 Uniqueness
 Alignment of the prototype with the design sketch
 Ability of your item to help the user enjoy play
 Ergonomic design/Functionality
 Colorfulness to match environment and attract users
 Intriguing enough to hold users’ attention
 Degree to which it Is intuitive to all users
 Ease of long term maintenance
 Alignment to design motto: “Make it smaller, stronger, do more, be easier to use, be
cheaper, be clean, be greener”
Parameters
 You must use some of all the items in your Participant Group Kit in some way
 You must consider how to make your prototype colorful, intriguing and ergonomic
 You must complete a display panel, which include your design thinking sketch, your
prototype, your design notes, and your reflections on the activity
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