A scoping Review of Tools to Evaluate Existing Playgrounds for Inclusivity of Children with Disabilities

Leah G Taylor^{1

2}, Mara Primucci², Leigh M Vanderloo^{2

3

4}, Kelly P Arbour-Nicitopoulos⁵, Jennifer Leo⁶, Jason Gilliland^{7

8

9

10

11}, Patricia Tucker^{2

3

11}

Affiliations

¹ Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
² Child Health and Physical Activity Laboratory, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
³ School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ ParticipACTION, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
⁷ Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁸ Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁰ School of Health Studies, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
¹¹ Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 36910877
PMCID: PMC9995607
DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1102490

A scoping Review of Tools to Evaluate Existing Playgrounds for Inclusivity of Children with Disabilities

Leah G Taylor et al. Front Rehabil Sci. 2023.

. 2023 Feb 23:4:1102490.

doi: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1102490. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Leah G Taylor^{1

2}, Mara Primucci², Leigh M Vanderloo^{2

3

4}, Kelly P Arbour-Nicitopoulos⁵, Jennifer Leo⁶, Jason Gilliland^{7

8

9

10

11}, Patricia Tucker^{2

3

11}

Affiliations

¹ Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
² Child Health and Physical Activity Laboratory, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
³ School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ ParticipACTION, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
⁷ Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁸ Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁰ School of Health Studies, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
¹¹ Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 36910877
PMCID: PMC9995607
DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1102490

Abstract

Introduction: Children with disabilities may be unable engage playground spaces due to barriers exacerbating exclusion. Therefore, clarity on how to evaluate existing playgrounds for inclusivity of children with disabilities is required.

Methods: A scoping review was undertaken to explore auditing tools.

Results: Fourteen white and grey literature resources were identified. The term "inclusion" was operationalized differently across tools, primarily focusing on physical accessibility. Characteristics of the tools were synthesized into 13 inclusive design recommendations for playgrounds. Two tools showed promise, evaluating 12/13 recommendations.

Discussion: The results of this review provide guidance on existing tools for evaluating playgrounds for inclusion for community stakeholders and researchers.

Systematic review registration: https://osf.io/rycmj.

Keywords: child; disability; inclusion; playground; scoping review.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

**Figure 1**
PRISMA flow diagram. *Number indicates search where first 10 pages (i.e., 100 results) were reviewed if results were considered infinite, to capture many of the most relevant hits while still being a feasible amount to screen (Godin et al., 2015). ^†Searches using first 10 pages of search results only.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

1. United Nations. Convention on the rights of the child. United nations, Treaty Series. (1989);1577(3):1–23.
1. Nijhof SL, Vinkers CH, van Geelen SM, Duijff SN, Achterberg EM, Van Der Net J, et al. Healthy play, better coping: the importance of play for the development of children in health and disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. (2018) 95:421–9. 10.1016/J.NEUBIOREV.2018.09.024 - DOI - PubMed
1. Lee EY, Bains A, Hunter S, Ament A, Brazo-Sayavera J, Carson V, et al. Systematic review of the correlates of outdoor play and time among children aged 3–12 years. Int J Behavioral Nut and Physical Activity. (2021) 18(1):1–46. 10.1186/S12966-021-01097-9 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Reimers AK, Schoeppe S, Demetriou Y, Knapp G. Physical activity and outdoor play of children in public playgrounds—do gender and social environment matter? Int J Environ Res Public Health. (2018) 15(7):1356. 10.3390/IJERPH1507135 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Canadian Standards Association. Children's playground equipment and surfacing. CSA Z614:20 national standard of Canada. Toronto: CSA Group; (2020).

Publication types

Actions

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources
- Europe PubMed Central
- Frontiers Media SA

Save citation to file

Email citation

Add to Collections

Add to My Bibliography

Your saved search

Create a file for external citation management software

Your RSS Feed

A scoping Review of Tools to Evaluate Existing Playgrounds for Inclusivity of Children with Disabilities

Affiliations

A scoping Review of Tools to Evaluate Existing Playgrounds for Inclusivity of Children with Disabilities

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

References

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources