An inclusive playground is designed so that all children, regardless of their physical, sensory, cognitive, or social abilities, can play and have fun together in a welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment. Inclusive playgrounds seek to create an environment where differences are respected, and social values are reinforced, so it is essential to include them in communities as they offer a variety of play experiences and challenges tailored to the needs and preferences of each child; however, it is necessary to take specific considerations when choosing a suitable provider. In this article, we learn how to choose the right company in Abbotsford.
Include the right equipment
Inclusive playgrounds seek to create environments that adapt to the needs of children regardless of their height, age, build, skills, and abilities, so it is necessary to include multisensory elements that stimulate the child’s different systems, not only sight, touch, or hearing but also the vestibular and proprioceptive systems. An inclusive playground supplier should offer in its catalog a wide variety of equipment that meet these characteristics and help children’s sensory development.
Experience
It is important to verify the company’s experience in inclusive playgrounds. For example, a company with only one year of experience is not the same as a company with more than 5 or 10 years of experience. One way to evaluate the experience is to see the projects that the company has developed. If these projects are from our area (Abbotsford), then this will be considered an additional positive point since this means that the company can offer us solutions that fit the needs of the area.
Consider distribution
A suitable supplier will consider the layout before the construction of an inclusive playground, so it should consider the grouping of similar elements but with different levels of challenge so that children can choose the one that suits them best or go up in difficulty as they acquire skills. In this way, children can play simultaneously regardless of age or abilities, encouraging collaborative play without distinction.
Additionally, a good playground company should consider that an inclusive design should have spaces where children can rest, relax or take refuge from noise or crowds, whether in green areas, benches, or covered environments.
Consider Accessibility
Just as a playground company must consider the layout, accessibility is also fundamental in an inclusive playground since children must be free to move freely, so physical barriers, steps, or uneven surfaces that make it difficult to move between areas should be avoided. Ideally, transitions between sites should be easy and fluid, entrances and exits should be easy to locate, and walkways should be broad and allow easy passage for children, adults, and people requiring special mobility equipment such as walkers or wheelchairs.
Reputation
Another fundamental aspect to consider when choosing a company for a project of this style is its reputation. A company with a good reputation will have positive comments and opinions from satisfied customers. In this case, social networks and official websites are an excellent way to verify credentials, customer reviews, company authenticity, and reputation; this way, you can determine if the business is established and recognized, besides knowing what has been the experience of other people with the provision of services and quality of products.
Encourage interaction
The playgrounds are called “inclusive” because they do not discriminate against any of their users; therefore, they should encourage social interaction between children, parents, and caregivers. An adequate provider will consider including elements that invite cooperative play and dialogue that foster relationships based on respect, role exchange, consideration, and fraternity.
Company specialized
Any company can say that it manufactures inclusive playgrounds, but it must have a series of characteristics to be considered genuinely inclusive. It is not just a matter of incorporating some elements, but it is a concept that comes from the very conception of the project. Therefore, verifying that the company specializes in inclusive projects is important.
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