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Play and outdoor fitness equipment leaders KOMPAN have released an online publication offering new insights and recommendations for universal and inclusive playgrounds.

The publication/whitepaper Play for All - Universal Inclusion in Playgrounds centres on the most recent research and user observations on inclusive play conducted by the KOMPAN Play Institute, including inspirational cases of accessible playgrounds and recommendations for universal play design.

Highlighting the increasing need for research-based guidance on inclusive playground design, Jeanette Fich Jespersen, Head of the KOMPAN Play Institute, explained “it’s extremely important to look at inclusive playground design because the evidence shows that children with disabilities are simply not physically active enough.

“40% of children with disabilities will have more than one diagnosis, with one of those often being anxiety. The social dimension of inclusive playgrounds, where children can go out, be with their peers and be accepted as an equal player is so important.”

The KOMPAN Play Institute has engaged in testing and developing play activities for children of all abilities since the early 1990s. Inclusive design has been a cornerstone of their focus from the very beginning, based on the understanding that play is necessary for all children, no matter who they are, where they live, or what their abilities are.

Jespersen notes “all children have a need to play, but some play at a different pace or in a different way and may need more assistance than others.

“That’s a consideration in a playground design.”

The publication elaborates on key elements in inclusive playground design, including accessibility, surfacing, planning areas for different sensory needs, creating social opportunities and considering multi-level solutions.

Kacey Gambin, Marketing Manager for KOMPAN Australia, recognises the new publication as a useful tool for outdoor recreation professionals in their day-to-day playground planning, adding “the whitepaper and accompanying playground planning checklist are refreshed and robust resources grounded in research. Structured in a way that is both informative and practical, Australian teams will find them very handy when looking for authoritative sources on truly inclusive design.”

The publication is free to download and supported by KOMPAN’s team of local play experts should playground planners wish to collaborate on a design.

Click here to access Play for All - Universal Inclusion in Playgrounds.

For more information click here to contact Kompan Australia via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory. 

Images courtesy of KOMPAN.

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