EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Unique and Comprehensive Inclusion Philosophy
Access does not guarantee inclusion. It is simply an important first step that provides the foundation for inclusion to occur. Inclusively designed whole environments support the needs of the whole child and the unique context of the overall play and recreation environment. The 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design® move outdoor play environments beyond minimum accessibility standards to recognize everyone’s right to fully participate and contribute to meaningful
The 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design® create universally designed play environments that respect and value all inherent differences we possess as individuals. This fosters a deeper sense of belonging for all people, regardless of age, race, gender, culture, socioeconomic status, or ability. Our unique backgrounds, abilities, and interests contribute to the richness of whole communities. Investing in inclusive play offers significant benefits to the whole community. Maximize the opportunity to engage the whole community and make the case for inclusion with community advocates and residents.
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Creating whole environments that ensure the developmental needs of the whole child supports the active participation of people of all ages and abilities.
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Innovating Evidence-Based WHOLE ENVIRONMENTS
Celebrating Inclusion for the WHOLE COMMUNITY
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Playgrounds are important community assets where the developmental needs of all children, including those with disabilities, can be secured by thoughtfully providing opportunities for the physical, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, and communicative benefits of play to occur. Children with disabilities should be able to explore the whole environment and interact with a robust assortment of playground activities with their peers and caregivers. The process of creating truly inclusive and welcoming play experiences should start with an appreciation and understanding of the five domains of child development.
play and recreation opportunities. These guiding principles and considerations have helped thousands of communities eliminate unnecessary expectations in the built environment and align with evidence-based design practices tailored to the needs of all children, including those with disabilities, in outdoor play environments.
7 Principles
Advancing recreation through research BASED BEST PRACTICES
of Inclusive Playground Design®
Building communities through play & recreation™
A Comprehensive Guide to Best Practice Design for the Whole Child, Whole Environment, and Whole Community
RECOGNIZING COMMUNITIES FOR TURNING RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE
Explore the guide to learn: High-quality outdoor play and recreation environments are essential to
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community health and wellness.
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Fostering the Needs of the WHOLE CHILD
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION SITE NETWORK
Research indicates that when communities are engaged in
7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design Best Practice Implementation: •
the planning process, evidence-
7 PRINCIPLES OF INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND DESIGN PRESENTED BY
based design best practices are implemented with the built environment, and supplemental
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programming is offered to further enhance user experiences, then positive outcomes occur. PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education (CORE) leads the National Demonstration Site Network as an important initiative to raise
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national awareness, recognize projects of excellence, and help communities demonstrate the positive impact they have on community vitality. National Demonstration Sites receive on-site signage, marketing tools, and one-of-akind data services, including site-specific reports to provide a comprehensive view of the outcomes your site contributes to the community.
JOIN THE NETWORK: PLAYCORE.COM/NDS
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Address local priorities, create awareness, and enlist community partners that share your mission and goals. Provide a developmentally robust and balanced assortment of playground activities that meet the diverse physical, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, and communicative needs of all children, including those with disabilities. Apply the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design® to the overall environmental design. Offer programming, activities, special events, and/or other initiatives to further create awareness and foster friendships.
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Latest research findings and data to support inclusive play initiatives
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Playground considerations to foster the needs of the whole child
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Model inclusive play case examples
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Evidence-based design principles for the whole environment
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Steps to develop a comprehensive plan to celebrate inclusion for the whole community
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Planning and disability awareness resources
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Projects of excellence and outcomes to demonstrate impact
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Professional development training modules
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Comprehensive park checklist to expand inclusion across settings
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2 Play Together®: Playground Activities to Foster Friendships through Inclusive Play digital program guidebook
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PlayCore’s National Demonstration Site Program and Data Services Lab
The 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design provides evidence-based design best practices for creating outdoor play environments that address the physical and social inclusion of people of all ages and abilities. The purpose of the program is to help communities create more usable environments, for more people, to the greatest extent possible. Inclusive play is our passion and purpose. For close to two decades, PlayCore has partnered with leading experts at Utah State University’s Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice to champion thousands of inclusive play and recreation destinations across the world. Our evidence-based design best practice guidebook helps communities move beyond the minimum accessibility standards to ensure that people of all ages and abilities can participate in meaningful outdoor play experiences and secure the social benefits of inclusion.
Research & Programming in partnership with:
Playground Design Resource & Inclusive Play Programming Guide
Research Since the initial launch in 2007, the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design® have continued to evolve based on the latest research and product innovations. Through our national partnership with Utah State University’s Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice and their Research Lab at Edith Bowen Laboratory School, PlayCore supports ongoing research to gain further understanding of best practices and understand the diverse needs of communities.
Evidence-Based Design Practices
the developmental benefits of play. These principles have carefully tailored the original adult-focused Principles of Universal Design, created by the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University for indoor environments, to what children want to experience, feel, and “Be” during meaningful play.
7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design in Action Play environments that address the developmental needs of the WHOLE CHILD throughout the WHOLE ENVRIONMENT break down barriers to physical access and ensure that people of all abilities can socially participate. Align inclusive play destinations with the following design best practices to ensure a developmentally robust and balanced assortment of playground activities that meet the diverse physical, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, and communicative needs of all children. The following essentials demonstrate how applying the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design turns research into practice to create high-quality inclusive play destinations.
Playground Programming to Promote Inclusive Play
Senior Disability Demographics3 Ages 65+ 215
Orthopedic Disabilities
141
HearingAges Disabilities 65+ 5
Adult Disability Demographics3
Senior Disability Demographics3
84 62
141
Hearing Disabilities
62
Vision Disabilities
Ages 18-64
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215 Orthopedic Disabilities Intellectual Disabilities
Vision Disabilities 84 Intellectual Disabilities
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Orthopedic Disabilities
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Intellectual Disabilities
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Hearing Disabilities
215 84
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141
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84 141
sabilities?
Who are People with Disabilities?
1 2 Child Disability Demographics 45
Child Disability Demographics1 2
Ages 3-21
Ages 3-21 47
Specific Learning Disabilities
27
Speech or Language Disabilities
22
Other Health Conditions
16
Autism
10
Developmental Delay
9
Intellectual Disabilities
7
Emotional Disabilities
3
Multiple Disabilities
1
Hearing Disabilities
1
Vision Disabilities
1
Orthopedic Disabilities
1
Traumatic Brain Injury
1 47
1
10
16
3 9 27
22
1 7
1
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Specific Learning Disabilities
27
Speech or Language Disabilities
22
Other Health Conditions
16
Autism
10
Developmental Delay
9
Intellectual Disabilities
7
Emotional Disabilities
3
Multiple Disabilities
1
47Disabilities Orthopedic Disabilities Hearing
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Vision45 Disabilities Intellectual Disabilities
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Orthopedic 20 Disabilities Hearing Disabilities
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Traumatic Brain Injury
Adult Disability Demographics3 Ages 18-64
Sources: ¹ U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Special Education Programs, 43rd Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2021, Washington, D.C. 2022. ² Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/2020menu_tables.asp. Table 204.30 is found at 20 https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_204.30.asp. ³ American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates Data 2020 S1810 Disability Characteristics from https://data.census.gov/cedsci/ table?q=disability&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1810 47
Whole communities start with inclusively designed whole environments that carefully meet the diverse needs of the whole child. The 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design® detailed within the guidebook provide a comprehensive and evidence-based design philosophy for creating inclusive, intergenerational play environments in community parks and school destinations. Developed in partnership with Utah State University’s Institute of Disability Research, Policy, & Practice, the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design® move outdoor play environments beyond minimum accessibility and recognize everyone’s fundamental right to
Inclusive play programming can increase usage at your park, while promoting social equity in your community. 2 Play Together® offers fifteen inclusive playground activities designed to create awareness, break down barriers, and foster inclusive friendships. Use this unique resource to activate inclusive playgrounds during special events, after school programs, summer camps and more!
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Disability awareness resources
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Character education tips
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Inclusive playground activities for PreK-5th grade
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Inclusion tips and resources for educators, programmers, and advocates
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Supporting research
Download your copy of 2 Play Together® by visiting www. playcore.com/resources
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