Here in Wilmington we have an inclusive park with 2 playgrounds - one for toddlers and one for older children. They don't publicize it well - very few people actually know of the existence of these playgrounds. I talk about them in class quite often and encourage my students to go visit the playgrounds. Interestingly, I have lived in towns that were much bigger than Wilmington who had no thought of bringing in an inclusive park.
I wonder whether local parent groups, regardless of whether they are organized around disabilities, might provide a good way to publicize the parks. Oh! Oh! Now I'm thinking of a study about the effects of promoting co-play (via parent groups) on use of park facilities...multiple baseline across parks! If we could find enough collaborators who teach classes in cities where there are accessible parks, we could even do it as a multiple baseline across cities.
Here in Wilmington we have an inclusive park with 2 playgrounds - one for toddlers and one for older children. They don't publicize it well - very few people actually know of the existence of these playgrounds. I talk about them in class quite often and encourage my students to go visit the playgrounds. Interestingly, I have lived in towns that were much bigger than Wilmington who had no thought of bringing in an inclusive park.
Jane, this is good info. Thanks!
I wonder whether local parent groups, regardless of whether they are organized around disabilities, might provide a good way to publicize the parks. Oh! Oh! Now I'm thinking of a study about the effects of promoting co-play (via parent groups) on use of park facilities...multiple baseline across parks! If we could find enough collaborators who teach classes in cities where there are accessible parks, we could even do it as a multiple baseline across cities.