INCLUSIVE PLAY
Playing is for everyone, regardless of physical or intellectual capabilities. All children have a fundamental right to play, established in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our furnishing concept of Inclusive Play is based on creating playing environments, activities and interactions in which all children, regardless of background, abilities, skills or limitations, have equal opportunities to participate and enjoy. It involves no exclusion or discrimination based on differences, and taking into account the diverse needs and abilities of all children.
With our design concept for inclusive play, everyone can participate, young & old, with and without a disability. Because playing together is for everyone!
The main principles of inclusive play are:
- Accessibility: Providing physical accessibility to play areas so that children and parents/carers with mobility disabilities or other physical disabilities can participate. This includes the availability of ramps, modified play equipment or other modifications.
- Diversity: Acknowledging the diversity of children, including differences in ethnicity, culture, language, gender, age, religion and playing needs. Encouraging respect, understanding and acceptance of differences contributes to an inclusive play environment.
- Flexibility: Customising play rules, activities and materials to ensure that all children can participate based on their individual needs and abilities. This means offering alternative play options or providing special support to children who need it.
- Cooperation: Encouraging cooperation and interaction between children and parents/caregivers, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. Inclusive play encourages positive social relationships, promotes understanding and tolerance, and helps build empathy and friendships.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR PLAYING TOGETHER
For the design of playgrounds, we look at where the wants and needs are, together with the stakeholders (think supervisors, municipalities, designers, schools, neighbourhood initiatives and, of course, the children and young adults themselves) and adjust the design accordingly. This creates a design and layout that is supported and embraced by everyone involved. Working together to play together.
PLAYING TOGETHER NETWORK
In an inclusive living environment, it is important that everyone, from an early age, can participate in society. Children, with or without disabilities, should be able to play and exercise with their friends. Various parties have joined forces in the Playing Together Network to make playing together easier for all children. We too have joined this as pledge-makers. We are committed to ensuring the importance of playing and moving together in our entire process, from product development to furnishing concept and from design to realisation. How do we do this? By gathering and sharing knowledge during knowledge sessions of the Playing Together Network. By cooperating with TU Delft, students, municipalities, schools and interest groups. For the design of cooperative play areas, we work together with supervisors, municipalities, designers, schools, care institutions, neighbourhood initiatives and, of course, the children and young adults themselves to find out where the opportunities and possibilities lie. The design and layout are tailored to these.
Our tips for an inclusive living environment:
✔ Create enough support. Consult local residents, children, parents, schools, care institutions, etc.;
✔ Provide a total picture: both practical factors with.b regard to physical accessibility and devices, as well as the ‘software’: create a nice welcome total environment, where every child and every visitor feels comfortable;
✔ Involve a wide range of play options, such as wheelchair-friendly play options, as well as auditory, visual and cognitive/educational elements;
✔ Take into account the 4 human types ‘Energizers, Structure seekers, Builders and Observers‘;
✔ Make playing together natural, don’t treat it as ‘something special’;
✔ Involve stakeholders in the entire process, even after placement & realization; working together, by working together;
✔ Identify additional funding opportunities, such as funds and grants.
✔ Raise awareness of the play area so people can find the place.
Need help making a concrete plan of action? We are happy to help you, contact us today!
Inclusive starting from design
We design our play equipment for inclusive play within the company, this allows us to take into account different aspects that are important in this. We consider the needs of both children and parents/carers when designing the play area. Among other things, we take into account:
- Accessibility: We integrate accessibility features into our play equipment and playgrounds so that children with different physical abilities can participate in play. We do this, for example, by including wheelchair-accessible platforms and areas where children/parents/carers with mobility disabilities can easily manoeuvre.
- Variation in play activities: We offer a wide range of play values within our playground equipment so that children with different interests and abilities can enjoy play. These include play walls, adapted climbing opportunities, swings and sensory play elements. We strive to provide a mix of play opportunities that appeal to different senses and skills.
- Sensory friendly: We consider the needs of children with sensory sensitivities, such as children with autism. We use materials, colours and textures that enhance children’s sensory experience without feeling overwhelmd. We also provide an organised play area where children can easily navigate and feel safe. Clear paths, well-placed play elements and visual indicators help create a structured and predictable play area.
- Stakeholder engagement: We involve stakeholders, such as parents, educators and communities, in the design process. We listen to their feedback, needs and suggestions, and integrate them into our designs. By working with different stakeholders, we can gain a better understanding of the requirements for inclusive play and ensure that our playground equipment meets their needs.
INCLUSIVE PLAY AND EXERCISE
Inclusive play is woven into the designs of both play locations, care gardens and playground equipment wherever possible and desired. We provide solutions for:
- Auditory limitations (stimulation of other senses such as smell & touch through scented planting and educational walls)
- Visual limitations (bright colours in play equipment and plants, tactile walls, sound instruments)
- Cognitive or neurological disabilities (snooze rooms, playing together)
- Physical disabilities (e.g. accessible play equipment, fitness equipment for senior citizens/wheelchair users)
We do this for these target groups:
- For education, play areas are designed to challenge, stimulate and allow students to play together. With a focus on inclusivity, we offer a variety of play equipment adapted to different needs and ability levels. Examples of this are wheelchair-accessible play structures, sensory elements and educational play elements that stimulate children’s imagination and creativity.
- For recreation and hospitality, we aim to create play areas where everyone can have fun, regardless of age or physical ability. Our inclusive playground equipment and experience gardens offer a wide range of activities and challenges that appeal to both children and adults. From adventure climbing equipment to interactive water playgrounds, our designs are focused on creating inclusive and engaging play environments.
- For healthcare facilities, our designs focus on encouraging movement, interaction and relaxation. We offer experience gardens and quiet places where residents can enjoy nature and process stimuli in a pleasant way. Our experience gardens are designed with an eye for sensory experiences and create a soothing environment for relaxation and therapy.
- For municipalities, we create inclusive play areas and experience gardens in public spaces. We understand that these spaces should be meeting places for all ages and abilities. Our designs integrate natural elements, play equipment and social gathering spaces to connect a diverse community. From playgrounds to natural play areas and movement parks, our designs promote social interaction and healthy lifestyles.
