To provide for the first principle of universal design, or equitable use, any playground should be designed to accommodate children using crutches, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs, and to provide opportunities for social, cognitive, sensory and motor activity and engagement.  If playgrounds are built with this consideration in mind, the playground should inevitably accommodate a wide range of interests, preferences and abilities.  Funding would be needed, as well as a commitment to finding and creating open spaces to plan and build the playgrounds of the future.  For these playgrounds to exist there has to be support and a common consensus that the equipment and changes that are designed to meet the needs of some children, will in fact benefit all children.  The design must take into consideration the space and the size needed for access by all children (principle seven).  When thinking about accessibility issues, there are of course deeper issues facing any area, such as access to transportation, finding caregivers and aids to assist those children that may need constant supervision and aid when engaging in physical activities, but these playgrounds can be built.  The designs and equipment exist, but communities need to be educated in the importance of utilizing and incorporating these designs when building new structures or renovating old playgrounds.  Since funding is so limited, especially in recent years, a viable solution may be to create modifications to existing structures that allow these structures to be more accessible.  Rather than replacing all of the swings with more modern, wider swings that allow for physically disabled children to use them, maybe just one swing is switched.  Ramps can be built over existing steps.  It will take creativity and a drive, but to ensure that all children have access and feel included in such a public space, would surely be worth it.

How can we motivate community members to have a vested interest in improving our parks and playground spaces?  How do we encourage all parents and community members to advocate and care for a minority of the park users?