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It's been over 3 decades since the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We thought we would take some time to reflect on the evolution of the accessibility guidelines for play areas, what we know now that we didn’t know back then, and …

Let’s be clear. Every person has the right to play and there is no “condition” that negates this right. The more a society ensures this right for all, the healthier it, and its people, are. The citizens of the United States are to be congratulated for …

Peggy Greenwell has been an accessibility specialist with the US Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) since November 1992. Her responsibilities include providing technical assistance and training on the Americans with …

On July 10, 1990, President George Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , a landmark legislation that extended civil rights protection to people with disabilities. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in …

The late ’90s saw a wave of playgrounds retrofitted to conform to ASTM and ADA are these now beginning to show their age and we will soon be seeing an uptick in playground renovations. This last time the choice of design options was pretty …

As people who make playgrounds and play equipment, people who spend much of their professional lives and passions on trying to get other people to let kids have recess , to make more creative, inviting, imaginative, inclusive playgrounds ; to design new …

EQUATION FOR ACCESS FOR ALL Barrier Free Accessible Design Requirements + Inclusive Design Principles + Thorough Safety and Risk Assessment + Accurate Plan Implementation + Ongoing Compliance Management and Practice = Universal/Inclusive Access for All …

In the city of Ocala, located in Marion County, FL, a new initiative around health, fitness, and wellness is proving beneficial to local residents. A new outdoor fitness park, the Health Happens Outdoor Fitness and Walking Trail , located at the Marion …

There are about 70,000 elementary schools in the Unites States and a few weeks ago a couple of them had a whole lot to celebrate. The “Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes” announced that two lucky schools are the winners of a $30,000 grant and new …

Last month we observed National Playground Safety Week. While most people picture playgrounds being in schoolyards or parks … a playground is anywhere there is play equipment, including apartment complexes. Regardless of where a playground is located, …

May is national bike month, and I have been an avid cyclist for more than 17 years. I have ridden in 6 states and spent far too many hours and miles on a bike to even count. The act of riding a bike for fun or for work can and should be rewarding in many …

We all know the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design requires frequent and regular inspection and maintenance of playground surfaces. But what does regular mean? What does frequent mean? What does maintenance mean? Here are some stories from our work in …

It is no surprise why kids love going to the playground. Being outside, combined with the adventure of all the elements a playground has to offer, it is the perfect place for kids to relax and have fun. But what about the parents? What’s in it for them? …

Imagine imagining a playground, just for the fun of it. A completely imaginary playground that doesn’t need to be strong or safe or public. Your own, private, personal playground that is fun just imagining yourself playing in. A few years ago, my …

On top of their many (many!) roles, Moms are impressive jugglers. They are known to balance work routines with multiple school schedules, errands, team sports, and after school activities—all before getting out the door most mornings. During the busy …

I’m sure you’ve heard the recent story about two children, 10 and 6, being arrested and hassled by Child Protective Services (CPS) for walking home from the park, not once but twice. If you’re not aware of the story, learn more about what happened to the …

Recently, I received an email from a mom that really made me think. It wasn’t the typical type of question I receive: “Where can we purchase an accessible merry-go-round,” “What can you send me to help our community get started in planning?” No, this was …

When considering more than the minimum requirements necessary for barrier removal, the impacts the principles of inclusion and universal design have on the usability of the play environment must be investigated. These principles should be addressed …

How can a playground make a difference for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Autism is complex. Some children are non-verbal while others have no problem speaking. Children with autism have a difficult time socializing and rarely interact …

Today is a red-letter day for me. Having created dozens of playground innovations, I finally have one that is patented. I guess that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise since play has been around a long time and it’s really hard to establish that …