{"id":4781,"date":"2024-08-19T13:08:28","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T13:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/?p=4781"},"modified":"2025-04-09T10:42:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T10:42:41","slug":"the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/","title":{"rendered":"The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4781\" class=\"elementor elementor-4781\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fb4f78c elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"fb4f78c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cf8a0bc\" data-id=\"cf8a0bc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-721af21 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"721af21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:300}\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-26c6a31\" data-id=\"26c6a31\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-714ee7a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"714ee7a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-94ef759\" data-id=\"94ef759\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01b39e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"01b39e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b36c1ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"b36c1ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-5b4e2a4 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/2024\/08\/19\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-calendar\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>August 19, 2024<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-90b9a44 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"90b9a44\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-19ad44a\" data-id=\"19ad44a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e48ef0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1e48ef0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_829085585-1024x681.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4784\" alt=\"A 10-year-old boy sits on a carousel in a playground ready to be spun by his mother, who is carrying their pet dog in her other hand. Behind the pair is the boy&#039;s wheelchair. The weather is clear and the season is autumn. Brown leaves are scattered throughout the playground.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_829085585-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_829085585-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_829085585-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_829085585-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_829085585-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-70163c5\" data-id=\"70163c5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3f1fde elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a3f1fde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">When we consider the thought of what accessibility in the built environment looks like, it would be fair to say that inclusive children&#8217;s play areas do not normally come to mind first.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Typically, accessibility in the mind of the average person is thought about in contexts of more menial and essential aspects of modern life &#8211; for instance, building owners, architects, and much of the general public &#8211;\u00a0 think about accessibility in terms of wheelchair lifts in offices, step-free access to doctors&#8217; surgeries, or tactile paving at train stations.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">A big reason for this thought pattern is that the adjustments made to accommodate disabled people are obvious. It is not easy to miss the presence of a lift, a wheelchair ramp, or a long row of tactile paving &#8211; but understanding how to make an accessible play area, on the other hand, might be a bit trickier. Today, we are going to explore just that!<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">If you are reading this blog, you are probably already aware that achieving a truly accessible society means that every built environment is important to achieving inclusion, and also very likely aware that access to play is a key foundation in the development of children.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Play improves the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and young people. Through play, children learn about the world and themselves. They also learn skills they need for study, work, and relationships such as confidence.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-385adde elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"385adde\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d247e9e\" data-id=\"d247e9e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b03149 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2b03149\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0e596b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b0e596b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Public play areas offer a space to develop many of these key aspects in the development of children; allowing for social interaction with peers, exploring the use of their senses, enjoying exercise, and even as a platform to experience some of the more negative aspects of life (getting hurt by accident, pushing their body by &#8220;overdoing it&#8221;, and tiring themselves out).\u00a0<span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">For these reasons, creating accessible playgrounds that children of all backgrounds and abilities can access is important, encouraging their development as well as normalising interactions with non-disabled children, who might otherwise be ignorant of the differences of peers with disabilities\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Creating an accessible playground does not have to be a challenge, or even require that much variation to what a traditional play area might look like. Accessibility can be achieved at a lower cost by developing simple alternative design choices at the planning stage.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">There are many facets to this which can vary depending on the amenities available on the playground. When Direct Access delivers an accessibility audit of a typical playground that has already been built, some key causes for concern frequently recur that should be addressed by any site owner looking to create a new outdoor playground or play area.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Since most playgrounds are cornered off by fencing, it is crucial that points of entry not only allow enough maneuvering space for wheelchair users but that the gates are not too heavy to open for someone with low strength. The material that the door is made of must also be made of an exposed metal that is cold to touch, and therefore accessible to people with sensitivity to colder temperatures. Additionally, the terrain approaching the park must be regularly maintained to avoid trips along the pathways. If there is a car park, ensuring there is a compliant accessible parking bay available for disabled visitors is also highly important.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">As you can gather, before we have even reached the entrance; there is already so much for a site owner to consider when it comes to access, but once more, many of these retroactive changes can be avoided if they are implemented to begin with.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Now, let&#8217;s briefly consider some aspects we normally recommend within the playground, starting with the terrain. We often find when delivering audits that most playground surfacing is either tarmac or made of engineered wood fiber (EWF). What many people do not know is that the latter is inaccessible to wheelchairs, and can make movement for anyone with mobility issues challenging, particularly in wet weather conditions. Therefore, we typically recommend PIS (Poured-in Surface) rubber safety surfacing is implemented as a best practice measure.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">In terms of the attractions and play components themselves, considering how children with different abilities might experience them is crucial. For swing sets, a standard at most playgrounds, ensuring the availability of a wheelchair swing is one inclusive measure that ensures mobility-impaired children can enjoy playing.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">For children with visual impairments, including step nosings for any play structures that require ascending or descending staircases reduces the risk of injury and shows that site owners are mindful of the needs of people with visual impairments even though including step nosings for structures is not a legal precedent.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Furthermore, installing carousels with enough space for wheelchairs users to use further demonstrates a playground&#8217;s commitment to inclusion and encourages play between disabled and non-disabled children. In addition, many other wheelchair-accessible structures are also available, such as wheelchair floor trampolines.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">For neurodiverse children, installing communication boards would allow autistic, non-verbal, and children with speech difficulties to learn different emotions, express themselves, and explain how they feel to adults while at a playground thanks to their typical use of pictorial, non-written information.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">The incorporation of interactive play panels with games which are suitable for children of all different ages, abilities, and key stages of learning is another key element to include. Ensuring that these panels offer appropriate colour contrast and that any movable elements such as switches are not heavy is another simple aspect to consider that can make a huge difference in the experience of playgrounds for both less physically-able and neurodiverse children.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Many other aspects are important to consider when creating accessible playgrounds, particularly as accessibility is an evolving issue with innovations in accessibility within play and entertainment being developed all the time. To keep up with best practice recommendations, site owners should involve accessibility consultants within the architectural and planning process and allow auditors to undertake accessibility audits of sites every three years.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Direct Access can provide these services, <a class=\"simplyweb-checked\" href=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/consultancy\/\">click here<\/a> to learn more!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ea8707a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ea8707a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b5b3935\" data-id=\"b5b3935\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e53612 elementor-post-navigation-borders-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-navigation\" data-id=\"0e53612\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-navigation.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Post Navigation\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__prev elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/case-studies\/tactile-map-boards-transport-for-wales\/\" rel=\"prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-prev\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-left\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Prev<\/span><\/span><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--label\">Previous<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--title\">Transport for Wales &#8211; Tactile Maps<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__next elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/how-your-organisation-benefits-from-training-staff-in-disability-awareness\/\" rel=\"next\"><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__next\"><span class=\"post-navigation__next--label\">Next<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__next--title\">How your organisation could benefit from training staff in disability awareness<\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-next\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e728e73 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e728e73\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-88c3afb\" data-id=\"88c3afb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we consider the thought of what accessibility in the built environment looks like, it would be fair to say that inclusive children&#8217;s play areas do not normally come to mind first. Typically, accessibility in the mind of the average person is thought about in contexts of more menial and essential aspects of modern life [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":4782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[27],"class_list":["post-4781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-accessibility-guidance"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children - Direct Access<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Accessible playgrounds that children of all backgrounds and abilities can access can be achieved by making simple alternative design choices.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children - Direct Access\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Accessible playgrounds that children of all backgrounds and abilities can access can be achieved by making simple alternative design choices.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Direct Access\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DirectAccessGp\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-08-19T13:08:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-09T10:42:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Michael Miller\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@DirectAccessGp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@DirectAccessGp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Michael Miller\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Michael Miller\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/64f905bd0f656ae73f75fc4cb19ed034\"},\"headline\":\"The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-19T13:08:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-09T10:42:41+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1010,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"accessibility guidance\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/\",\"name\":\"The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children - Direct Access\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-19T13:08:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-09T10:42:41+00:00\",\"description\":\"Accessible playgrounds that children of all backgrounds and abilities can access can be achieved by making simple alternative design choices.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/news\\\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707,\"caption\":\"A young caucasian boy (around 6 or 7) on a plastic motorbike smiles and looks into the distance, presumably at a parent, in a children's playground. Behind him are slides, tube slides and other interactive playground features.\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/\",\"name\":\"Direct Access\",\"description\":\"International award-winning disability and accessibility organisation led by disabled people.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Direct Access\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/Dark-Logo-Transparent-Background.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/Dark-Logo-Transparent-Background.png\",\"width\":1328,\"height\":262,\"caption\":\"Direct Access\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/DirectAccessGp\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/DirectAccessGp\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/direct-access-consultancy-ltd\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/directaccessconsultancy\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/directaccessgp.com\\\/uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/64f905bd0f656ae73f75fc4cb19ed034\",\"name\":\"Michael Miller\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ade228b7aa4f7f7a49d278fb3c5394e95935e3860f004de3615bb830d47e34b7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ade228b7aa4f7f7a49d278fb3c5394e95935e3860f004de3615bb830d47e34b7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ade228b7aa4f7f7a49d278fb3c5394e95935e3860f004de3615bb830d47e34b7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Michael Miller\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children - Direct Access","description":"Accessible playgrounds that children of all backgrounds and abilities can access can be achieved by making simple alternative design choices.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children - Direct Access","og_description":"Accessible playgrounds that children of all backgrounds and abilities can access can be achieved by making simple alternative design choices.","og_url":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/","og_site_name":"Direct Access","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DirectAccessGp\/","article_published_time":"2024-08-19T13:08:28+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-04-09T10:42:41+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Michael Miller","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@DirectAccessGp","twitter_site":"@DirectAccessGp","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Michael Miller","Estimated reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/"},"author":{"name":"Michael Miller","@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/64f905bd0f656ae73f75fc4cb19ed034"},"headline":"The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children","datePublished":"2024-08-19T13:08:28+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-09T10:42:41+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/"},"wordCount":1010,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg","keywords":["accessibility guidance"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/","url":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/","name":"The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children - Direct Access","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2024-08-19T13:08:28+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-09T10:42:41+00:00","description":"Accessible playgrounds that children of all backgrounds and abilities can access can be achieved by making simple alternative design choices.","inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/news\/the-right-to-play-creating-accessible-playgrounds-for-all-children\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-polesietoys-5997589-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707,"caption":"A young caucasian boy (around 6 or 7) on a plastic motorbike smiles and looks into the distance, presumably at a parent, in a children's playground. Behind him are slides, tube slides and other interactive playground features."},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/","name":"Direct Access","description":"International award-winning disability and accessibility organisation led by disabled people.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#organization","name":"Direct Access","url":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Dark-Logo-Transparent-Background.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Dark-Logo-Transparent-Background.png","width":1328,"height":262,"caption":"Direct Access"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DirectAccessGp\/","https:\/\/x.com\/DirectAccessGp","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/direct-access-consultancy-ltd\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/directaccessconsultancy\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/64f905bd0f656ae73f75fc4cb19ed034","name":"Michael Miller","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ade228b7aa4f7f7a49d278fb3c5394e95935e3860f004de3615bb830d47e34b7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ade228b7aa4f7f7a49d278fb3c5394e95935e3860f004de3615bb830d47e34b7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ade228b7aa4f7f7a49d278fb3c5394e95935e3860f004de3615bb830d47e34b7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Michael Miller"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4781\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}