MILLENNIUM PARK SETS ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS, ADA 25 CHICAGO SAYS
Twenty-five years ago the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The legislation prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and sets standards that require accessibility in public places.
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Integrating UD into recreation camp activities
There is no legislation within Australia to guide the design of sporting or leisure activities that enable participation by people with varied abilities. This publication outlines the importance of universal design and ways in which environments, activities and programs within residential camps can be used by people of all ages and abilities. It shows how to apply […]
Playgrounds For Seniors Improve Fitness, Reduce Isolation
No more sitting around in the park feeding the squirrels. Playgrounds designed for seniors have caught on in Asia and Europe and are beginning to make their way across the Big Pond. The parks include low-impact exercise equipment such as elliptical machines, static bikes and body flexors and are intended to help promote balance and […]
Why an Inclusive Playground Benefits All Children
When Fruzsina Elo’s first child was born he weighed 1 lb., 6 ozs., and it wasn’t until he was six weeks old that she was able to hold him in her arms — on Mother’s Day. On that day she made a promise to him: that she would do everything she could to make him […]
THE ROLE OF INTEROCEPTION IN PLAY AND RECREATION
This year, my kindergarten age son is learning about the five senses. His excitement for learning is nothing short of contagious as he analyzes daily interactions with the world based on which senses he is using. He correctly notices that an interaction with a tablet requires sight and touch and that his morning cereal feast […]
Senior Playgrounds and Universal Design
New communities need to start planning for the health and well-being of the elderly with suitable spaces that promote social engagement, play and gentle exercise.
Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails
This publication is an updated version of the original “Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails” (2006 edition). The original guidebook was released the same day the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service accessibility guidelines were finalized as the legal standard for the agency. At that time, the Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines (ODAAG) […]
Designing for Inclusive Play: Applying the Principles of Universal Design to the Playground
The public playground is, by far, one of the most important settings for child development. It is one of the few environments where a child has the freedom to run and jump, climb, swing and leap, yell, reign, conjure, create, dream or meditate. In this complicated world that we live in, the playground is a […]