Children’s perceptions of playing on inclusive playgrounds : A qualitative study

• BackgroundInclusive playgrounds aim to enable all children to participate and be socially included on playgrounds through the way they are designed. However, knowledge is lacking about how children with and without disabilities perceive playing on inclusive playgrounds and whether these playgrounds lead to more social inclusion.Aims/ObjectivesThe study explores the experiences of children, with and without disabilities, of playing on inclusive playgrounds.Material and methodsSemi-structured interviews and observations were conducted on six inclusive playgrounds in Switzerland. Overall, 32 children aged 7–12 years participated; 14 children had a disability while 18 children did not. A qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis.ResultsThe children’s experiences of playing on an inclusive playground resulted in the creation of three categories describing: how children with and without disabilities experience play activities on inclusive playgrounds; invisible barriers on inclusive playgrounds; and the fact that children with disabilities have recommendations for the design of inclusive playgrounds.Conclusions and significanceThe results showed that achieving inclusion on a playground is complex and must be considered as a transaction among different environments. For occupational therapists, this could mean that, to support play as an activity on inclusive playgrounds, intervention is necessary at the community and political levels.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsterapi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Therapy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Inclusive playgrounds

children with disabilities

enablement

accessibility

Occupational therapy

Arbetsterapi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)