Designing inclusive playgrounds in Switzerland : why is it so complex?

Wenger, Ines; Prellwitz, Maria; Lundström, Ulrica; Lynch, Helen; Schulze, Christina

doi:10.1080/14733285.2022.2077093

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-25037

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Designing inclusive playgrounds in Switzerland : why is it so complex?
Authors:	Wenger, Ines Prellwitz, Maria Lundström, Ulrica Lynch, Helen Schulze, Christina
et. al:	No
DOI:	10.1080/14733285.2022.2077093 10.21256/zhaw-25037
Published in:	Children's Geographies
Volume(Issue):	21
Issue:	3
Page(s):	487
Pages to:	501
Issue Date:	2022
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	1473-3277 1473-3285
Language:	English
Subjects:	Inclusion; Playground; Children with disabilities; User involvement; Universal Design; Spielplatz; Inklusion
Subject (DDC):	302: Social interaction 610: Medicine and health
Abstract:	Playgrounds designed with the intention to be inclusive are one approach to creating equal opportunities for all children, including those with disabilities, in terms of their right to play. However, when building inclusive playgrounds, the focus is often limited to the physical environment. Yet, studies investigating children’s play in inclusive playgrounds have shown that other aspects of inclusion, such as social inclusion, are equally as important as the physical environment. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about how inclusion is considered in the design of inclusive playgrounds. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the design and use of inclusive playgrounds among people involved in the provision of inclusive playgrounds and advocates of children with disabilities from a Swiss context. Four focus groups were conducted with 26 participants involved in providing inclusive playgrounds or having a professional or personal relationship with children with disabilities. Results revealed no uniform understanding of inclusive playgrounds. Barriers to inclusive playground provision included negative attitudes, lack of knowledge about inclusion and the absence of policies for inclusion. Through the focus group discussions, it was proposed that a community network is needed, to bring together children with disabilities and their families with playground providers when designing inclusive playgrounds. In this context, user involvement can inform the design of playgrounds and support the understanding of the needs of people with disabilities in playgrounds, among other things. To enhance inclusion for children with disabilities on inclusive playgrounds, design approaches that consider social inclusion, like Universal Design, are proposed.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/25037
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY-NC-ND 4.0: Attribution - Non commercial - No derivatives 4.0 International
Departement:	School of Health Sciences
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Occupational Therapy (IER)
Published as part of the ZHAW project:	P4PLAY – Zusammenspiel von Universal Design und Naturelemente auf öffentlichen Spielplätzen Spielplatz: Ort der Begegnung für alle?
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Gesundheit

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Wenger, I., Prellwitz, M., Lundström, U., Lynch, H., & Schulze, C. (2022). Designing inclusive playgrounds in Switzerland : why is it so complex? Children’s Geographies, 21(3), 487–501. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2022.2077093

Wenger, I. et al. (2022) ‘Designing inclusive playgrounds in Switzerland : why is it so complex?’, Children’s Geographies, 21(3), pp. 487–501. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2022.2077093.

I. Wenger, M. Prellwitz, U. Lundström, H. Lynch, and C. Schulze, “Designing inclusive playgrounds in Switzerland : why is it so complex?,” Children’s Geographies, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 487–501, 2022, doi: 10.1080/14733285.2022.2077093.

WENGER, Ines, Maria PRELLWITZ, Ulrica LUNDSTRÖM, Helen LYNCH und Christina SCHULZE, 2022. Designing inclusive playgrounds in Switzerland : why is it so complex? Children’s Geographies. 2022. Bd. 21, Nr. 3, S. 487–501. DOI 10.1080/14733285.2022.2077093

Wenger, Ines, Maria Prellwitz, Ulrica Lundström, Helen Lynch, and Christina Schulze. 2022. “Designing Inclusive Playgrounds in Switzerland : Why Is It so Complex?” Children’s Geographies 21 (3): 487–501. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2022.2077093.

Wenger, Ines, et al. “Designing Inclusive Playgrounds in Switzerland : Why Is It so Complex?” Children’s Geographies, vol. 21, no. 3, 2022, pp. 487–501, https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2022.2077093.