Child & Family Development Child & Family Development

September 10, 2013

In the community: Accessible Playgrounds

Check out this inspiring and insightful story from NPR this week about accessible or “inclusive” playgrounds for kids with wheelchairs or walkers:

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/27/213827534/for-kids-with-special-needs-more-places-to-play

NPR is trying to create the first national database of accessible playgrounds. It is not yet complete, but it is an awesome search tool. You can also add to the list and provide information about playgrounds that you know about. The information includes accessible surfaces, transfer stations, ramps, accessible swings, sound-play components, sight-impaired componensts, safety fences, and single entrances. You can add to the site or use it at:

http://apps.npr.org/playgrounds/

 

My most recent connection to an accessible playground was in Hickory, NC at the Kiwanis Playground for Zahra Baker, pictured here:

Zahra Baker Accessible Playground

The playground includes even ground surfaces, accessible swings, and ramps.

accessible swing

ramp

What accessible playgrounds do you know about in your community? Do you know of any in the Charlotte area?