ADVISOR: KATY HESS MARY ACKERMAN, AMANDA ARTNER, KRISTINA CUMPATA, SARAH DOBBS, MICHELLE DOTI, JENNY
ESO, JACLYN GOFF, HAILEY JOHNSON,CAITLIN KEMPER, SARAH LAUTERBACH, JESSICA LUBBEN, ALETHEA MERELOS, AMANDA MOORE,
NICOLE PALMINTERI, JILL PHILLIPS,CARTER RAMSEY, KELLEY SEMENS, LAUREN STONE, SARAH THOMPSON, NICOLE WITTMAN
City of St. Louis Playground Audits
Presentation Overview
Overview of ADA GuidelinesRole of Playgrounds in Promoting
ParticipationRole of OT in Play Space DesignProject Description and MethodsExamples/Barriers/Safety HazardsExamples/Solutions/ResourcesResource HandoutDiscussion
ADAAG- ADA Accessibility Guidelines
Guidelines indicate requirements for what play components need to be accessible and how to achieve access
Addresses only newly built or altered play areas
These guidelines are recommendations, not law
Were developed through a regulatory negotiation process
The guidelines were finalized in 2000
Examples of Guidelines
At least one of each type of play component (rocking, spinning, swinging etc…) provided at ground level must be on an accessible route.
50 % of elevated play components must be on an accessible route.
Ramps: 12” maximum rise 1:12 maximum slope 36” minimum clear width
For more information on guidelines, visit http://www.access-board.gov/play/finalrule.htm
The Importance of Play
•Create and explore the environment
•Competencies, confidence, and resiliency
•Play is a basic right of all children
•Play according to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American Academy of Pediactric. (n.d.) New AAP report stresses play for healthy development. American Academy of Pediactrics News Room. Retrieved April 19, 2011 from http://www.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm.Ginsburg, K.R. (2007). American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Communications; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics. Jan;119(1):182-91. PubMed PMID: 17200287.Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. General Assembly Resolution 44/25 of 20th November 1989.
Benefits of play
For children:•Work in groups, share, negotiate and solve conflicts, self-advocacy•Creativity •Dexterity and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.•Play is important to healthy brain development.
…And for their parents:•Effective communication•Role playingGinsburg, K.R. (2007). American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Communications; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics. Jan;119(1):182-91. PubMed PMID: 17200287.
Play in the academic environment
•Social and emotional developmental skills cognitive skills
•Academic performance
•Multiply studies have found that elementary school students were more attentive to classroom tasks AFTER recess than before.
•School-readiness and adjustment
Ginsburg, K.R. (2007). American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Communications; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds.
Pediatrics. Jan;119(1):182-91. PubMed PMID: 17200287.Pellegrini, A. D. & Bohn, C. M. (2005). The Role of Recess in Children's Cognitive Performance and School Adjustment. Educational Researcher34(1): 13-19.
Importance of Play for Typically Developing
Physical education and Physical activity
Literacy development
Pretend play
Resolve understand learning
Society, interaction with physical environment reflection.
Ridgers, N. D., Stratton, G. & Fairclough, S. J. (2006). Physical activity levels of children during school playtime. Sports Med 36(4), 359-371Piaget, J. (1964). Cognitive development in children: Piaget, development and learning. Journal of Research in Science Education, 3, 176-186.Emfinger, K. (2009). Numerical conceptions reflected during multiage child-initiated pretend play. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 36(4), 326-
334.
Articles on Play and Disability
Accessible accommodations in the outside space
Social spatial exclusion
Minimum requirements (Western Nations)
Inclusive communities
Yantzi, N. M. , Young, N. L. & Mckeever, P.(2010) The suitability of school playgrounds for physically disabled children. Children's Geographies, 8: 1, 65 —78.
Articles on Play and Disability
Raise awareness, and importance of leisure
Nature’s training for life
Community accessibility and social stigma
Encourage activity/advocacy
http://www.kids.org.uk/
Scott, R., (2010). The Health benefits of play and physical activity for disabled children and young people. KIDS, briefing paper. 1-16
Role of OT on Play Space Design
OTs can advocate to Park’s Departments and City Governments on Accessible Playgrounds for children with different disabilities and impairments. Letters Sitting on boards Advocacy
OTs can provide resources and intervention strategies for parental use. Type of movement Duration of appropriate play Sensory regulation
OTs can provide playground design that help to improve: Social skills Gross motor skills Universal design
The Project
Project Description
The city of St. Louis provided a list of playgrounds for review of accessibility of the equipment
oAmberg ParkoBellerive ParkoCherokee ParkoChristy ParkoFox ParkoHickey ParkoHyde Park
oMcDonald ParkoO’Fallon ParkoStrodtman ParkoSublette ParkoTandy ParkoTiffany ParkoWalnut Park
Forest ParkForest Park Tilles ParkTilles Park
Accessible Playgrounds in St. Louis
Project Description
Groups of 2-3 OT students performed assessments on 2 playgrounds using the Playground Audit Form
Materials Needed: Playground Audit Form Tape Measurer Slope Measurer Documents including definitions, city codes and
information on specific heights and designs.
Playground Audit Form
Methods
1. Assessed playground equipment using Playground Audit Form and Materials
2. Pictures were taken of environment and play components
3. Typed a final draft of the Audit and included:
Positives, Limitations and Recommendations
4. Audits were compiled together5. Presented Audits to the City of St. Louis on
4/21/11
Recommendations for Playground Audit Form
• Add a section denoting playground surface– i.e. recycled rubber, woodchips, sand, pebbles, etc.
• Play component descriptions provided on assessment– i.e. Are swing sets considered elevated play components?
• Add a quantitative evaluation component that indicates a score that can be used for comparison
• Include a section for potential playground hazardsExpanding assessment to evaluate for disabilities
other than wheelchair accessibility i.e. contrast sensitivity, visual perception impairments, etc.
Accessibility from street
Transfer platformsRubber ground surfaceRamp entry to
elevated componentsHand railsClear ground space
surrounding each play component
Accessible Features Found
Ramp entry to elevated component
Ramp entry to elevated component Transfer platformTransfer platform
More Photos of Accessible Features
Lack of accessible route onto elevated play componentsLack of curb cut/accessible entrance from streetRock, pebble, woodchip surfaceLack of ground level play componentsInaccessible route throughout elevated play
componentsLack of transfer platformNarrow platforms and rampsInaccessible SwingsLack of benches
Barriers Found
Narrow platform/stepNarrow platform/stepPebble surfacePebble surface
Barrier Photos
Missing bolts on play componentsMissing bolts on play components Broken slidesHoles in ground
Broken slidesHoles in ground
Safety Hazards Found
Maintenance or Safety Hazard
Maintenance or Safety Hazard
Accessible Route into and Around the Playground
Accessible Route into and Around the Playground
Replace missing bolts, repair broken slides, fill holes etc.
Call for prices.
Make route into playground accessible, adding ramps, or additional paved ground cover where needed.
Need to call for estimate.
Summary of Recommendations
Curb Cuts or Curb Ramps
Curb Cuts or Curb Ramps
Accessible and Safe Ground Cover
Accessible and Safe Ground Cover
The curb cut ramp, provides instant access at curbs. This ramp can be installed in less than 30 minutes at any curb.
Made from 100% recycled rubber, poured in place ground covers are designed exclusively to reduce the risk of serious injury associated with falls from playground equipment.
$2-12/sq.ft. (prices may vary on material used)
Summary of Recommendations
Ground Level Play ComponentsGround Level Play Components
Accessible Route onto Elevated Play Components
Accessible Route onto Elevated Play Components
Variety of accessible play components types at the ground level, including tables, panels, diggers, rockers, etc.
$300-1,500
Ramps, or ground level entrance to elevated equipment to allow a child in a wheelchair to access all aspects of the playground.
$550-1,500
Summary of Recommendations
Transfer Step/PlatformTransfer Step/Platform Wider Elevated Platforms and Ramps
Wider Elevated Platforms and Ramps
4’ x 4’ Transition Platform w/ step height of 16”. Allows child to transfer from wheelchair onto elevated play structure.
Call for pricing.
Ramps wide enough for wheelchairs to pass, and platforms every 60” that allow wheelchairs enough maneuvering room to turn around.
Call for pricing.
Summary of Recommendations
Swing SetSwing Set Accessible SwingsAccessible Swings
Additional swinging component will be accessible to children of all abilities, and provide unique vestibular input necessary for development.
$400-1,500
Accessible swings include adaptive swing seats, and wheelchair swing plat forms with rope for propulsion.
$200-600
Summary of Recommendations
BenchesBenchesSeparate Play Areas for
Preschool and Grade School Kids
Separate Play Areas for Preschool and Grade School
Kids
Benches allow parents and other caregivers a place to sit and rest while still being close by to supervise their children playing.
$150-600
Play activities and structures vary by age and physical abilities. Providing separate areas will allow children of all development areas to play safely on appropriate equipment for their abilities.
$3,000-20,000
Summary of Recommendations
Funding Sources
Land and Water Conservation Fund Provides grants to states and
local gov. for development of public outdoor recreation areas
www.nps.gov/lwcf/ Community Development Block
Grant Program Provides communities with
resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs
www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/
While there are some funds available to update the city’s parks, the recommendations list is extensive and can be expensive. Finding alternative funding sources is critical to the upkeep and modifications to bring the parks to ADA standards. The following are just two examples of places to start looking for additional resources.
Resource Handout
MARY AND CAITLIN
Audit Presentation to City of St. Louis
Any Questions??