According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 14 percent of school-aged children have a disability of some kind including Autism; visual, hearing or mobility impairments; learning disabilities and more.  In this session, participants will review Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) regulations and learn how to create playgrounds that go “beyond accessibility” to include children with of a wide range of disabilities.  This session will discuss a variety of playground components and the value they bring to children with various disabilities.

Universal Design, as it applies to playgrounds, will be examined to emphasize a more creative, inclusive design approach. Participants will also learn the questions to ask at the outset of the design process, instead of the conclusion, in order to develop a beyond accessible playground.

Upon completion of the session, participants will possess the ability to:

• Describe what makes a successful playground experience for children of all abilities
• Explain the difference between a playground that meets ADAAG requirements and a playground that is truly inclusive
• Explain the play value of playground components for children of many different abilities
• Recognize the questions to ask at the beginning of a project in order to design a truly inclusive playground

Contact your Landscape Structures playground consultant to find out how to bring the Beyond Accessibility: Play for All Abilities Learning Academy session to your community.

Landscape Structures is an approved provider of the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System™ (LA CES) through December 2009. LA CES establishes, maintains and enforces standards for evaluating professional development and continuing education programs for landscape architects.