Creating a Playground for Visually Impaired Children
Kids deserve to play, and that fact shouldn’t be affected by a disability — that’s why it’s important to have playgrounds and parks that are accessible to kids who are blind or otherwise visually impaired.
Accessible parks for the blind and visually impaired should be the norm. To those who are unaware of the details of visual impairment, creating a playground for kids who are blind may seem like an impossible task. However, kids use more than just their sight to play.
Studies show that if a child feels deprived of playtime — like when sitting in a classroom — they will compensate by playing more vigorously when allowed. About 41% of a child’s time on playgrounds is spent playing active games with equipment. And since kids spend so much time playing, it’s only natural to encourage games and activities that promote learning while having fun.
Kids with disabilities deserve the same opportunities as others. This is why developing a playground for kids who are blind or have other visual impairments is crucial.
Understanding the Needs of Visually Impaired Kids
In traditional playground settings, kids with visual impairments often face challenges. Without adequate tactile cues or sensory stimulation, they may struggle to fully enjoy a playground. It may be more challenging to navigate and engage with their environment.
However, inclusive playgrounds offer a solution. These playgrounds help provide tailored features that accommodate their needs. Inclusive playgrounds typically incorporate tactile elements, contrasting colors and audible cues. These features play a role in enhancing accessibility and fostering sensory exploration.
This is where the power of community comes in. Involving the local community in the design process is crucial. Parents, educators and advocacy groups can work together. Each community member may provide valuable insights into the specific needs of visually impaired kids in the area. With this approach, we can create playgrounds that accommodate visual impairments and promote the well-being and development of kids.
7 Ways to Make Playgrounds Accessible to Visually Impaired Kids
For kids, play is seldom just a way to pass the time. It develops their cognitive functioning and communication skills and encourages a physically active lifestyle. Outdoor play, in particular, is known to reduce stress and stimulate the senses, especially for children who live with a disability or behavioral issues.
The best way to develop these skills in children is by encouraging them to use all of their senses. While kids with visual impairment may not be able to rely on their eyesight, they can still use their other senses to play and learn. Here are seven ways you can use this knowledge to construct an inclusive playground:
1. Include Tactile Elements
Creating a playground for visually impaired kids will depend heavily on what they can touch and hear. Many people who are blind “see” by touching, so including structures and items that stimulate their sense of touch will help them play. A sensory maze encourages problem-solving and teamwork through touch, making it ideal for kids who are visually impaired.
Surfaces with bumps or grooves indicating different locations can be both stimulants and aids. This factor is especially true when considering how formerly popular surfaces — like sand, mulch or wood-fiber — made it difficult to operate wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
Signage can also include tactile elements, braille or even simple raised markers that alert kids of what’s nearby. Similarly, rubber timbers with rounded tops can act as signage and stimulants — and they’re a great option if you’re looking to make a playground accessible on a budget.
2. Set Safe Boundaries
Safety is always a priority when designing a playground, but it’s especially important when developing one for kids with disabilities. Safety boundaries include both the playground enclosure itself and areas within the play space that may be dangerous. Such locations could include the foot of a slide or the space around a swing set.
Putting brightly colored lines on the ground to signal these areas is ideal, even for kids with low visibility. However, kids who are blind will need something physical to alert them of the border. One good idea is to vary the type of materials used on the playground’s surface. For example, hazardous areas like the space around swing sets can have a surface with a different texture than the rest of the playground.
A fence or other barrier to establish the playground’s border is a simple solution. The barrier can also be enhanced with equipment that adds play value.
3. Add Sensory Play
The equipment on a fence doesn’t have to be elaborate. Things like bells or chimes can encourage sensory play, too. Another popular sensory play activity involves installing a water or sand area, such as a fountain or raised sandbox. These types of interactive activities are great for encouraging teamwork and communication, which develop kids’ social skills.
Another way to activate the senses is with a sensory garden, which can be filled with plants and flowers with distinct smells, such as lavender. A sound or music panel — such as a large xylophone — is another example of equipment that encourages kids to use other senses while still being active and mobile.
4. Encourage Both Active and Quiet Play
Some kids don’t want to rush to the jungle gym to play. Many of them find more pleasure in playing quietly or alone, so make sure to include opportunities for this as well. Kids who have autism often prefer individual play, so creating games or having specialized equipment that allows for this is beneficial.
A domed enclosure with holes is a great example of a playground structure for solo play. It provides privacy inside while still enabling kids to climb on the outside. Therefore, it successfully encourages quiet and active play in one piece of equipment.
Additionally, consider incorporating playground equipment with built-in features. The Miracle Museum™ offers playground equipment that promotes sensory engagement and social interaction. For example, the Odyssey Hall is a sensory walking path that engages kids’ touch senses with fun textures. Also, the SpinAtorium™ encourages sensory play with its spinning globe and soothing sounds of beads.
5. Make It Accessible for Everyone
Kids with vision impairment may have other disabilities, so the best goal is a playground designed to be universally accessible. Even kids with no physical disabilities may have parents or guardians who do, and it’s just as important that these adults can navigate the playground.
Include ramps to connect different structural levels, and use surface material that accommodates feet and wheels alike. Instead of having a sandbox built on the ground, incorporate a raised one so kids in wheelchairs are able to play.
Similarly, seating areas such as benches or picnic tables should accommodate everyone, including those with mobility devices. This factor is especially useful for parents or guardians accompanying kids on the playground.
6. Use Contrasting Colors
Bright, contrasting colors may help children with visual impairments identify areas, equipment and surfaces more easily. For example, using dark colors for equipment against light-colored safety surfacing may help improve visibility. It adds an element of safety, allowing children to navigate the playground confidently.
Playground designers and educators can collaborate to choose appropriate colors and create an engaging environment for all children.
7. Prioritize Regular Maintenance
Regularly maintaining playground elements ensures it remains safe and functional for all children, including those who are visually impaired. Tactile elements, contrasting surfaces and auditory cues are essential to a positive playground experience, and you want those parts to be in great condition at all times.
Regulations and Standards for Playground Inclusivity
Compliance should always be front of mind when designing playgrounds. Certain guidelines and standards help ensure the safety and accessibility of kids. For example, legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides guidelines for playground accessibility, and some guidance includes requirements for tactile elements, contrasting colors and accessible pathways.
Innovative Approaches to Playground Accessibility
Today, there are many innovative solutions to help make playgrounds more inclusive and accessible.
One innovative approach involves integrating sensory equipment. For instance, sensory panels and sensory mazes provide tactile, auditory and visual sensory experiences. These elements help kids navigate and engage with playgrounds through touch and sound, adding value to their play experience.
Additionally, there has been a growing emphasis on inclusive design principles. These principles prioritize the needs of users, including those with visual impairments. This approach often incorporates features like universally designed equipment and multisensory play experiences to create inclusive and engaging playgrounds.
By embracing these innovative approaches, playground designers and manufacturers can create environments that meet regulatory standards and foster meaningful play experiences for visually impaired kids, promoting their overall development and well-being.
Start Designing Your Accessible Playground With Miracle® Recreation
For decades, Miracle Recreation has been helping communities design playgrounds that stimulate the mind and body by providing a large selection of outdoor playground equipment for kids of various ages and developmental levels. Our equipment is designed to both entertain and inspire kids and help them reap the benefits of outdoor play.
Our team of representatives is well-versed in playground equipment and can help you design your accessible play space by assisting you every step of the way. Request a quote today, or contact a Miracle Recreation representative for more information.
