IP16 - Butterfly
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Inclusive Play - Providing safe,
educational and fun play spaces
and equipment for everyone.
0844 4990214
[email protected]
www.inclusiveplay.com
Inclusive Play
At Inclusive Play we design and provide
bespoke fun and educational play spaces
for all children. Discover our inclusive
playground equipment and find out more
about our play space designs. Our play
equipment and play areas are designed to
ensure that children with all abilities can
play and learn together.
How to design
for inclusivity
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All children benefit from being outside,
interacting with their environment, learning
from nature and developing through play.
An inclusive approach to play is critical
to the success of every play area. By
allowing everyone to socialise and play
together, it creates a greater awareness
and understanding of the needs of different
people.
The importance of play in children’s
development is much documented. For
children with disabilities it can be a lifeline.
When there are few areas in their lives in
which they feel they have control, play is one
way that many can make their own choices
and feel empowered. It is also recognised that
play has many therapeutic benefits.
An inclusive playground accommodates
everyone and challenges them at their own
level. Friends should be able to share the play
experience regardless of their abilities.
For many, how to assess existing play areas for
their ‘inclusiveness’ and design inclusion into
new play spaces is uncertain.
This guide highlights several factors in the
design of a play space which can assist in
making a child’s play experience as inclusive
as possible. We hope this resource will inspire
you to create an inclusive space where you
live.
0844 4990214
[email protected]
www.inclusiveplay.com
Enhancing the
senses
Sensory play equipment and play environments
are crucial to a child’s development. Tactile
experiences provided in the play space help
develop and exercise the user’s sense of touch,
smell, vision and sound. This provides the
opportunity for a child to have their whole
body involved in play, whether it be rolling
down a hill, getting wet or playing in sand.
Inclusive Play can help provide the opportunity
for a child to feel at least one of the following
experiences;
Soft and Smooth materials are able to be
compressed when pressure is applied such as
rubber or foam. Sand and water can also fall
into this category. These tend to be free from
projections or unevenness of surface such as a
metal pole, slide, mirrors and marbles.
Rough and Hard materials are coarse and
have irregularities or breaks when pressure is
applied such as rocks and rope. The material is
granular in texture such as sand, dirt, rocks or
boulders (natural or concrete) Material is solid
and firm to touch such as plastic, timber and
steel play equipment.
Uneven or bumpy surfaces in play equipment
such as slides with bumps built in or various
© Copyright Inclusive Play (UK) Limited 2012
heights in access ramps can also enhance the
play experience. For those in wheelchairs,
create pathways that have various textures
built in or staggered cambers as a way of
allowing for fun wheeled play.
A person’s vision can be stimulated by using
primary colours such as red, blue and yellow
because they are perceived faster than
secondary colours and are therefore recognised
faster. It is advised to use these colours with
as many types play equipment as possible
regardless of the equipments existing colour.
Colourful loose materials and manipulative
play features are essential in any well planned
and designed play environment. Colours can
also be used creatively through planting. Using
the seasons and certain species of plants help
the play environment constantly develop and
change.
Sound can be used in many ways and can
be a great addition to a play area. Musical
play items include chimes, speaking tubes,
parabolic dishes, wooden xylophone frames,
sound chambers and musical hopscotch panels.
Smell within play spaces can be achieved
successfully through plants, bushes and
flowers. Rosemary, Peppermint, Lavender
and Thyme are great examples of introducing
strong pleasant smells into the play
environment with a very low risk factor and are
easily included at the design stage.
Play elements to consider
Types of equipment that should be considered
during the design phase that will enhance the
play value for children are as follows:
Activities with Sand and Water - Sand and
water can encourage creativity by providing
sensory and group activities. This activity
should enable use by the largest possible
number of children by allowing access to
children in wheelchairs and providing seats with
backrests at various heights.
Suitable products: J5001 Proludic Sand Factory
and J1706 The Wash House.
Play Panels - Play panels are a fantastic tool
for encouraging physical and practical play and
can help to develop a child’s concentration
skills and improve coordination. Using
contrasting colours is also important as it makes
it easier for the user to locate each of the
different activities.
Suitable products: IP021 Exosphere, J3401
Animal Labyrinth, J3402 Flowers Board, J3403
Find The Animal Play Table, J3404 Find The Path
Maze and J3405 Flipper.
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Roundabouts and Rotating Equipment Rotating equipment provides great levels of
sensorial and motor stimulation for all. Children
experience speed and controlled movement.
This type of play equipment can enable children
to acquire or improve their body control and
synchronize their movements. Roundabouts for
children with physical disabilities should be as
close to the ground as possible and allow for
ease of transfer from a wheelchair.
Suitable products: IP12 Wheelspin, IP09 Fusion,
IP03 Moonwalker, IP01 Revolve, IP14 IWheel,
IP02 Exosphere, J2400 Speed Gyro, J2595
Rotofun.
Spring Mounted Equipment - The movements
of spring mounted equipment are a very
important aspect in providing playing value for
children. They enable children to gain further
awareness of their own body and can stimulate
their senses. Spring mounted equipment can
be more important for children with hearing
difficulties or partially sighted children as the
swinging movement can bring their inner ears
into play which is necessary to help control
their balance. Spring equipment can include
larger spring items such as spring mounted
platforms capable of safely holding wheelchairs
and buggies.
Suitable products: IP13 Vortex, IP05 Orbs,
IP07 Mezzo, IP16 Butterfly, J834 Twiny. J836
Helicopter, J3961 Looping.
0844 4990214
[email protected]
www.inclusiveplay.com
Swings and Motion - Items of equipment
including swinging and active movements
are a source of positive and unusual feelings
for children. These movements can combine
coordination, elevated sensations and awareness
of height with fun and speed. The repetition of
the movement is immediately stimulating and
relaxing. These items can be very beneficial for
severely disabled users. Large, basket swings
can enable several children to play together and
provide room for young children and those with
disabilities to lie down and rest their bodies.
Suitable products: IP15 ISwing, J440 Pod Swing,
901220100R Nest Swing.
Slides and Mounds - Slides provide sensations
of height, movement and speed. This is known
as passive movement as it does not require
additional effort from the user. Using slides on
mounds and the creative use of long grasses and
plants alongside slides can give a great sense
of speed and motion. Climbing up and down
mounds with varying slope heights gives the
opportunity for the child to take control of their
own route according to their abilities. Using
slides side by side can also add extra value to
a play space introducing a competitive game.
Suitable products: 9022520100 Double Width
Slope Slide with Single Step.
© Copyright Inclusive Play (UK) Limited 2012
IP02 - Exosphere
“The Exosphere at Inverleith
Park is Josh’s favourite thing
of all the parks we’ve been
to. He loves just watching the
beads spinning. I find it pretty
entrancing myself”
Louise Brown, Parent of Josh aged 9, Autistic
Huts and Shelters - Huts provide great places
for playing and for meeting and socialising
points. They can be used for hiding and imaginary
play which is crucial for a child’s development.
Shelters must be easily accessible, with fairly
large entrances, resting places, and enough room
inside to ensure freedom of movement.
Suitable products: J262 Bungalow, J263
Hacienda, J264 the Den, 903314100R Playhouse
Fredrik, 903319100R Robinia Play Hut.
IP05 - ORB
The ORB has delightful melodic
sounds and an eye-catching
design....Judging by the wear patch
in the grass this has been one of the
most popular pieces of equipment
we have installed’
Sandra Mousdale, Play Services
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Manager, North Lanarkshire Council
Multiplay Equipment – These items of
equipment include a varied combination of
platforms, access points and play elements. This
type of play equipment can be un-accessible to
children with motor disabilities, however they
can offer a high level of play value for others
as they provide children with the opportunity
to take risks and encourage their own play
development. By integrating play panels, shelters
at ground level and low slides can enhance the
play value for disabled children, especially those
in wheelchairs.
Trees and Plants - Trees, plants, bushes and
shrubs are very important for all users of an
outdoor play space. Touch, smell and managing
the colours of various species of plants through
the seasons can help a play space constantly
develop and change. Long grasses, durable and
evergreen species are ideal for natural and
sustainable trim trails.
0844 4990214
[email protected]
www.inclusiveplay.com
Designing
play areas for
children with
disabilities in
mind
Children with disabilities should be taken
into account right from the beginning of all
development projects. Integration is then
defined and translated into a desire to ensure
the play area is accessible for all.
The access paths must be made out of resistant
materials that do not have any steep slopes,
however, gentle slopes and uneven cambers can
be a fun play element. If steps are necessary,
there must also be an access ramp. The limits
of the play area must be clearly marked out.
The access points to the play area must be
protected to prevent any children from leaving
the area unsupervised but also enable children
in wheelchairs to go through them easily.
The paths around the play area must be clearly
marked out, providing natural access to play
equipment and rest areas. A surface colour
code can be used to make the paths easier to
locate. This allows for freedom of movement
© Copyright Inclusive Play (UK) Limited 2012
without meeting any obstacles. It can also
be useful to add areas where users can pause
to rest, either on seats or play accessories.
Consider including a hand rail along the
paths so that those children with visual
impairments may move around the play space
independently.
Surfacing - Where possible, surface solutions
should hold intrinsic play value. Such surfacing
is loose and can provide rich opportunities for
experimentation for younger children who will
transport, collect and play with the materials.
It is important to note that wetpour is the best
surfacing for wheelchairs and also easily shows
up litter, glass and other hazards. Wetpour can
also come in different colours and patterns
making it more visually appealing to those with
poor vision. Surfaces can play an integral part
in breaking falls, because a child’s reduced
ability can makes falls all the more likely.
“The revolve roundabout
is very popular indeed!”
Emma Kane, Save the playground campaigner
Surfacing types can also be seen as a source of
play for wheelchair users by creating changes
in levels or introducing a camber. Tactile or
grooved paving can also be a source of play
activities as it can aid the blind and partially
sighted to help find their way around.
Types of surfacing
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Type
Pros
Cons
Grass
Cheap, attractive, vandal resistant and good
for the environment
Requires maintenance, poor impact absorbency
in extreme weather conditions. Wears easily in
high use areas.
Wetpour
Low maintenance and great for wheelchair
access. Colour variety makes it easier to
spot potential hazards such as glass and also
provides a heightened visual experience for
those with poor sight.
Expensive and costly to repair. Once laid it is
difficult to access equipment foundations. Some
concern regarding injury if a child should have a
hard fall however it meets current standards.
High environmental cost
Sand
High play value, attractive with good impact
absorbing properties when dry. Material
is great for sensory and inclusive play.
Equipment foundations can be easily accessed.
High short-term maintenance costs. Abrasive
effect will speed the wear of some equipment.
Loss of impact absorbing properties when wet
or frozen. Poor choice for wheelchair. Can make
hazards such as litter and glass difficult to spot.
Loose bark fill
High play value, attractive look, very low
environmental cost. Excellent impact
absorbing properties, vandal resistant.
Higher short-term maintenance costs. Material
will degrade over time and will require topups. Larger grades of bark are unsuitable for
wheelchair users.
Recycled soft
wood
Similar to bark in look and texture. Wheelchair
and pushchair accessible.
May splinter.
Rubber tiles
Similar to wetpour in look and texture. Easier
to replace sections of tiles that have worn or
been damaged.
Can be expensive.
Grass mats
Low cost synthetic surface. Can easily be
laid on slopes and uneven ground. Excellent
surface underneath cable wires when mud
and stones are used to fill in holes in the mats
which increases impact absorbency.
Once laid it can be difficult to inspect equipment
foundations. The grass does not always grow
through and therefore areas can look patchy. Not
suitable for high use areas.
Gravel
Excellent impact absorbency in all weather,
offers great play value, is easy to maintain
and allows for easy access to equipment
foundations.
Can be expensive and once laid is difficult to
inspect equipment foundations.
Sand filled
carpet
Similar to wetpour but also fire resistant. Great Can be expensive and once laid is difficult to
surface choice for smaller areas in a controlled inspect equipment foundations.
environment such as nurseries.
0844 4990214
[email protected]
www.inclusiveplay.com
Additional items
Signage - Ideally, a generic sign should be
placed at the entrance to a play area to show
the supervisors the thought process behind
the area layout with regard to disabilities
(especially the suitability of each of the
items of equipment for the various types of
disability).
It is advisable to use a range of methods
for the users to understand the levels of
difficulty and the requirements of each item
of play equipment. The symbols used should
be simple and show a suitable colour code.
Highly visible colour contrasts are to be used
wherever possible.
It is important to note that children on the
Autism spectrum respond well to information.
IP11 - Timber ORB
“We have now had our
A well signed play park is one way to make
inclusive play units for over
a play space less daunting. Signs should
a year. The Inclusive Play
welcome differently able children. Key
information might be in Braille and may
Revolves have been both well
include pictograms showing how equipment
received and extremely well
may be used or colour coded depending on
the ability needed to use certain equipment.
used by the local communities”
Alan Brown, Playground Development Officer, Wigan
Leisure and Culture Trust.
© Copyright Inclusive Play (UK) Limited 2012
Additional items
Furniture - The main purpose of having
furniture installed within play spaces is to
enable children and accompanying adults to
rest. Preferably any seating arrangements
provided for the children should be placed
at varying heights as not all users will have
the same ability to stretch their legs. Seating
and rest areas should be located at regular
intervals so that there is always a rest area
close by. Choosing seats or benches with
ample space for wheelchairs is very important
as is the access towards them. Children with
Autism or Asperger’s syndrome often play
autonomously and need quiet areas where
they can play on their own. Seating designed
within the play space to help accommodate
this is generally good practice.
Children with Attention Deficit Disorder can
also benefit from isolated play, relaxing and
seating areas. A playground should have a
quieter area where children may relax to
read or talk, such as a willow dome, or well
designed natural space area that is partially
enclosed yet open to view by adults.
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IP14 - I-Wheel
0844 4990214
[email protected]
www.inclusiveplay.com
Inclusive Play Products
IP01 - Revolve
IP02 - Exosphere
IP03 - Moonwalker
IP05 - Orb
HDPE
IP09 - Fusion
IP07 - Mezzo
IP11 - Orb
IP12 - Wheelspin
OAK
IP13 - Vortex
IP14 - IWheel
IP16 - Butterfly
IP15 - ISwing
Contact us and ask for our Inclusive
Play price list. If you require further
information on Inclusive Play, our play
space designs, products and services
© Copyright Inclusive Play (UK) Limited 2012
please call us on 0844 4990214 or email
[email protected] Alternatively
please visit our website at
www.inclusiveplay.com
Inclusive Play (UK) Ltd
Unit 14 Swanston Steading
109 Swanston Road
Edinburgh
EH10 7DS
Company Registration No: SC 301254
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Call us on
Inclusive Play - Providing safe,
educational and fun play spaces
and equipment for everyone.
0844 4990214
[email protected]
www.inclusiveplay.com