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NCHPAD - Building Healthy Inclusive Communities

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Equitable use


Do all children use the same route to get to the equipment? Or is the main route inaccessible and traveled by the majority of the children while the accessible route is separate and out of the way from friends? Separate design is segregated design. Universal design is inclusive design where families and friends enter and use the facility together. A member should not be segregated from the group because of his or her ability or use of an assistive device. Instead, the principle of equitable use embraces the diversity of our society by designing for everyone to have an equal opportunity to participate.

All Access Playground
 Accessible Playground
Following are two examples. The first example is a playground where the accessible route from the parking and entry point of the park meets up with the playground surface. Typically, in an "accessible" playground there is only one accessible entry point into the playground surface. In this Universal Design example, the entire perimeter of the playground is flush level with the playground surface, so users can access the playground equipment from various locations at the park. In addition, the entire surface of the playground uses an accessible unitary surface that is firm and stable.

Accessible Play Equipment
  Example of an Accessible playground
The second example is at a playground where the elevated composite structure has a platform more than 15 feet off the ground. Many skeptics think it is impossible to create wheelchair access to structures this high and therefore design only with steps or ladders, thereby excluding a segment of the population. However, designers on this playground utilized the principle of equitable use to ensure everyone could access the elevated platform and see the view from above. The natural cascade landscape at the site was used as the backdrop for a boardwalk to the elevated platform. The boardwalk is designed so the slope does not exceed the 5% maximum grade for an accessible route. Designing to the 5% slope as opposed to the maximum 8% slope for a ramp also eliminated the need for handrails and landings.


Example of an accessible playground with wooden boardwalk/ramp.
 Accessible playground with wooden boardwalk/ramp.
Not every means of access or piece of equipment will facilitate equitable use. Therefore, planners must consider that where the same means of access, such as a ladder, is not usable by everyone, an equivalent mean, like a ramp, is necessary. A small portion of users will be able to use the ladder. A larger portion of users will be able to use the ramp. To only provide transfer steps or climber to an elevated structure ignores the principle of equitable use and segregates groups at a play component that could offer tremendous play opportunities and play value. Part of the play value offered by an elevated structure is the opportunity to see the view from a different angle, to look down over the kingdom, so to speak. This is the "skyscraper" phenomenon. Tourists don't go to the base of the Sears Tower or Empire State Building, look up and say "Oh, that's nice," and move on to the next attraction. One of the central purposes of visiting these extraordinary engineering wonders is to go up to the top observation floors and see the view from above: "Wow! What a breathtaking view! I've never seen anything like this!" This is the same experience children (and adults) can get from the elevated play structure.

An adult park visitor who uses a wheelchair enjoys the view from the second level of the elevated play structure.
 An adult park visitor who uses a wheelchair enjoys the view from the second level of the elevated play structure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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