Mobility impairments
You can help parents and children who use mobility devices enjoy your playspace by providing accessible routes, surfaces, and play equipment. If your playspace is accessible, adult caregivers who use mobility devices can more easily play with their children and truly enjoy your playspace!
Routes should:
- Be at least 60 inches wide
- Be bordered from loose-fill material
- Have a maximum slope of 1:12 (1:20 Universal design standard)
- If sloped, have plenty of platforms for resting
- Read more on routes
Surfaces under and around accessible structures should:
- Be pour-in-place rubber or another safe, accessible material (loose materials are not accessible for the most part)
- Be wide enough to provide safe, accessible landing
- Provide access to the structure
- Read more on surfaces
Structures should:
- Have accessible entries and exits (ramps or transfer stations)
- Provide handgrips, rails, or holds
- Provide support as necessary
Helpful links
KidsHealth. (2006). Cerebral palsy. https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/cerebral-palsy.html
KidsHealth. (2006). Muscular dystrophy. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/muscular-dystrophy.html
KidsHealth. (2006). Spina bifida. https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/spina-bifida.html
National Spinal Cord Injury Association, https://unitedspinal.org/
United Cerebral Palsy, https://ucp.org/
(Photo courtesy of Landscape Structures)