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Everyone Plays!
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Making Playgrounds & Recreation Spaces Usable by All Abilities By Joel Owen, Sales Manager, Discount Playground Supply When a playground is inclusive, everyone plays. It’s a simple thought, but not something that was always considered, especially if your playground is starting to show its age. According to the The Americans with Disabilities Act, an accessible playground is one that offers a range of play experiences to children of varying abilities. There must be an accessible path from the building or parking lot to the edge of the play area as well as an accessible path from the edge of the play area to the play equipment. ADA compliant play spaces let people of all abilities get in on the action. Handicap-accessible playground equipment should include specialized safety swings, platform swings for zed wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps and surfacing, and accessible fountains and site amentities.
Accessible Swing Sets, Seats & Platforms Riding a swing set at an outdoor park is one of those timeless joys everyone should be able to participate in. With thoughful design and planning, you can ensure your park reaches its highest level of accessibility - whether it’s a new playground or you’re looking to retrofit an existing playground. Adaptive swing sets and young child swing seats can be easily installed in existing playgrounds or added to tarmac surfaces for straight-forward loading and unloading. Handicapped-accessible swing chairs allow small children to be comfortably strapped in them which also meets ADA guidelines. Single- and double-platform swing platforms, team swings, modified swing seats, and other accessible playground equipment can be easily retrofitted to older playgrounds.
Wheelchair Ramps Plastic ADA wheelchair playground ramps allow public spaces to be enjoyed by anyone, bringing the joys of parks to those who use wheelchairs, walkers, and young children who may not be able to
32 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org
9-ft Institutional Team Swing step over a playground border. Designed to mount independent of the playground borders, ramps provide an accessible entrance to the playground while offering a clear point of entry and exit to the playground. ADA accommodations are essential for any new playground construction and retrofitting existing structures should certainly be a priority as well.
GaGa Pit Ball Games GaGa is a sport for all ages and abilities similar to dodge ball. GaGa translates as “touch, touch” in Hebrew and GaGa Ball is thought to have originated in Israel. GaGa’s popularity has continued to rise in the U.S. and is extremely popular at camps, schools and playgrounds. GaGa’s rules are simple - players assemble in the ‘pit’ and if the ball touches you below the knee, you’re out. Depending on space requirements, GaGa Ball Pits come in three sizes and are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Pits come standard with an exclusive ADA gate for easy pit entrance and exit – accomodating wheelchair accessibility.
