Communities and neighbourhoods

Developing Accessible Play Space

Outdoor play has developmental and therapeutic benefits for all children. It is fun, helps to keep children healthy, develop an awareness of risk and danger and is important for building social, emotional and life skills. In the past there has been little recognition that disabled children are entitled to the same play opportunities as other children. As a result their interests have not been fully considered when planning and designing public play spaces.

The need for guidance was highlighted in the report Living Places: Cleaner, Safer, Greener . Enabling disabled children to access play spaces helps them and their families build relationships and neighbourhood networks that can bind communities and promote social inclusion.

In February 2003, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Communities and Local Government) commissioned Inclusion, Childhood and Education Ltd to produce a good practice guide.

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