The Importance of Play!

Imagine a world where every child could experience the thrill of merry-go-rounds, flying high as a child swings, or  slides down to a complete stop. The sites, and sounds of children  regardless of their ability bring precious memories, and teach wholesome character in young communities as they grow up playing together. Lessons of life can be discovered at Americas public playgrounds. Children at every level of ability can grow with confidence to achieve while they play. Social skills can be developed that teach kids to help, understand,  care, and communicate with one another. Playing around children with disabilities provides important discussions that will prepare children for the rest of their life to live in a world that is not always a fair place.

Public playgrounds are good for all  involved. Parents have an excuse to take part in their kids world with an  opportunity to watch, and be there when needed to assist with a difficult task. Children have access to a world of play that will provide help future development. Through proper legal regulations, a level playing field has created a solution to provide accessibility as a standard for generations to come. Not only health kids who can play without many limitations can enjoy public areas, all children have the opportunity. Parents can know when they go to a state park, or county park, there are regulations in place that says, "YOUR CHILD CAN PLAY."  If for some reason the park in a local community has not been updated, parents have leverage with public laws, and possible access to funding to help make changes. Who is going to say any child should not have equal accessibility to playground equipment at city parks, state park, schools, and other places.

This is why the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that all public access parks, schools, and other recreational facilities provide user friendly play systems  for children of disabilities. Prior to this, funding was the biggest obstacle for local communities to make their park play areas accessible to all children with limitations. Until recently, the public was not aware of the issues parents of disabled children dealt with on a regular basis.   Because of the awareness of concerned parents, it has been brought to the attention of the American Society for Testing and Materials. This organization has been around since 1898 to provide more than 12000 standards to improve product quality, and safety.  Before  play structures of any kind becomes a fixture in a public place, it must meet certain specifications.

Who would ever think that a play set built for a child who had limitations could start a journey that could actually lead to the world Olympics. In our day, these World Games are filled with many who have  disabilities whose path began with someone who believed enough in them to succeed.  Children with limited learning levels can achieve physically, and emotionally. Their motor skills can be developed with all of the activities that are involved while they think they are only playing. Truly, playgrounds are training ground for future trailblazers the world will get out of the way to watch  reach heights yet to be discovered.