Inclusive and Accessible Playgrounds

EXCITEMENT DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE

At Miracle^® Recreation, we know that Shaping the Future of Play^® means looking beyond the traditional approach of wheelchair-accessible ramps. Inclusive playground design includes systems and components that allow all children to play together in a rich and engaging way. Through Playgrounds for All^™ and Best Buddies^® + Miracle^® Inclusive Playgrounds, we offer a variety of playground solutions that provide accessibility and sensory benefits to create truly inclusive play spaces.

Shop Inclusive

A New Inclusive Alliance

Best Buddies^® International and Miracle^® Recreation have teamed up to create truly inclusive play spaces for people of all abilities, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Together, we are dedicated to delivering play experiences that embody true inclusion—starting with kids at the grade-school level, when they first form their social awareness and behaviors.

Learn About Best Buddies

Best Buddies + Miracle Inclusive Playgrounds signal friendship, social empowerment, and inclusion.

They’re designed to support users in the following ways:

Best Buddies^® + Miracle^® Inclusive Playgrounds are designed to connect kids of all abilities and their families through the power of play.

Why Inclusive Play?

Designing inclusive play solutions is crucial when it comes to building community—especially in a nation where 1 in 6 children are diagnosed with a form of developmental disability*. We go beyond the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to create inclusive play solutions that excite, challenge, and help kids of all ages and abilities enjoy playing together. *Statistic reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What are
Playgrounds for All^™?

Playgrounds for All™ are play spaces built to facilitate better opportunities for social interaction and provide engaging activities that everyone can enjoy. From children using mobility devices to anyone who may become overstimulated by too much activity, we ensure that the needs of all visitors are taken into consideration by following five fundamental design principles.

Learn More About Our
5 Fundamentals of Playgrounds for All^™

1. Provide Multi-Sensory Play Experiences

The senses give kids information about the world around them and where their bodies are in space. All kids learn at their own pace, and sensory experiences help all kids explore their world and develop motor skills, physical strength and cognitive functioning.

2. Encourage All Kids to Play

An inclusive playground should provide a space where kids of all ages and abilities can come together and have fun. We help reach different populations through our inclusive play designs by:

- Providing a graduated range of challenge
- Grouping similar equipment together
- Offering equipment for multiple age groups
- Providing real choices of play for each child

3. Allow Greater Accessibility

With the right inclusive play equipment selections, we make sure all kids can access our equipment. Kids with wheelchairs, crutches or differing ranges of motion can play on our equipment thanks to our intentional designs.

Protective, shock-absorbing unitary surfacing
Wide movement routes
Smooth, even transitions on and off equipment

4. Support Kids on the Autism Spectrum

Kids on the autism spectrum or those with sensory integration disorders need playground equipment that stimulate their senses without overwhelming them. Our inclusive playscapes accomplish this by offering cozy, quiet spaces, establishing perimeter paths and fences and providing a wayfinding system that includes an orientation path.

5. Create Welcoming Social Environments

Kids in each stage of development play in different ways. Some want to interact and play games with their friends, while others want a space to play by themselves or with some social proximity to peers. Our equipment supports kids in each of the six stages of play, including: Solitary play, Onlooker play, Parallel play, Associative play and Cooperative play.

We Design to Exceed ADA Requirements

Miracle Recreation innovates inclusive playground equipment that helps children of all abilities enjoy being children. While there is no such thing as ADA playground equipment, we offer play solutions that let you comply with ADA requirements in ways that thrill and engage all children. From equipment selection to layout, our representatives will work with you to guarantee a play space that not only meets ADA standards, but is truly inclusive for your entire community.

Request A Quote Browse Our Products

How Sensory Play Creates Inclusion

One way to include all kids in a playground is through our sensory playground equipment. Sensory play equipment incorporates the unique sensory processing needs of kids on the autism spectrum or with specific sensory needs, offering them the opportunity to play independently alongside others without getting overwhelmed by the noise and stimulation of a playground. A product such as our Sensory Maze is great for this type of sensory play, as it allows kids to explore light and texture in a soothing and non-overwhelming environment.

How to Create a Sensory-Rich Play Space

Inclusive playground design engages the senses to help kids understand how each one relates to their bodies. Sensory-rich playgrounds are an ideal starting point for children of all ages and abilities to learn and grow. Here’s how you can build a sensory-rich and inclusive playground for your community:

Play with textures, shapes and colors: Facilitating tactile learning is a great way to make your playground design more inclusive. Choose sensory panels with different textures, shapes and colors, such as our Below Deck Activity Panel Frames and Textured Shape Panels.
Diversify your playground equipment: Combine educational and adventure-inspired elements to keep kids interested. Cater to all ages and mobility levels through various playground equipment. Opt for components everyone can enjoy, like our Reflex® equipment, which can accommodate up to 15 kids, or Chimes and Congas for auditory play.
Keep the fun and thrill: Bring out the fun and thrill in your playground equipment with the XGEN ADA Tower from our Extreme Generation collection, the Alta Glide Inclusive Glider or the GlideAlong overhead track with an accessible add-on. Designed for inclusivity and accessibility, these components can help develop vestibular and proprioceptive senses.

Learn more about building a playspace with sensory products.

Learn More

Advocating for Playgrounds for All

We can’t overemphasize the importance of outdoor play for growing children. Playgrounds allow kids to figure out what they enjoy and how to interact with others, whether with children their age, older kids or supervising adults.

Advocating for playgrounds for all is a step toward progress and inclusivity. If you want an inclusive and accessible playground in your community, you can start by looking into adding inclusive playground equipment, such as:

Miracle Recreation is your partner in designing and building inclusive playgrounds. Our commitment to making outdoor play accessible to all children is reflected in our playground equipment. Talk to our design experts for recommendations or work with us to create a custom inclusive playground.

Find Out More From Our Inclusive Play Experts!

We’re ready to help you put inclusive play into action. Contact your local representative to get started and learn more about the difference that inclusive play from Miracle® Recreation can make in your community.

Request A Quote

Note: At Miracle Recreation, we’re aware of the ongoing debate in the autism community over the use of identity-first (autistic person) and person-first (person with autism) language. We understand the choice is a highly personal one, especially for individuals in the autism community, so we’ve decided to use a combination of person-first and identity-first language.