EVERYONE - all embracing, all inclusive

Playdale welcomes the introduction of the DDA Act and fully supports the principles of its objective in ensuring that wherever possible everyone will be treated favourably.

What is The Disability Discrimination Act DDA?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is a legal requirement that applies across the United Kingdom and makes it unlawful for any service provider to discriminate against people with disabilities.

The act has been introduce in three phases

• Since December 2nd 1996 it has been unlawful to treat disabled people less favourably for reasons related to their disability.
• Since October 1999 “reasonable adjustments” have had to be made for disabled persons, such as providing extra help or making changes in the way services are delivered.
• Since October 2004 “reasonable adjustments” to the physical features of your premises to overcome barriers of access. The wording premises does not mean purely buildings but also encompasses external areas such as Parks, Zoos and Play Areas

Who is the service provider?

The service provider is the person purchasing and responsible for the area.

Who are people with disabilities?

The Act deems ‘disability to cover virtually all forms of disability or impairment including:
Mobility, Physical coordination, Speech, Manual dexterity, hearing, sight, continence, ability to lift, carry and the inability to concentrate learn or understand or perceive the risk of danger.

How does this Act affects the provision of external play?

Two important research groups were established prior to October 2004 to help develop guidelines by which the play industry could work to ensure compliance with this legislation. NPFA (National Playing Fields Association) and ICE (Inclusive Childhood Education) set up by the deputy Prime Ministers Office. Playdale have had representatives on both of these important groups and acknowledge the guidelines that are now established.
Should we refer clients to ‘Developing Accessible Play Space – a good practice guide or the web site www.odpm.gov.uk

Our opinion on DDA

Long before the introduction for the DDA Act we designed play areas that provided a good balance of play activities for different ages and abilities with our emphasis being on including all, and not introducing segregation due to disability. ‘Inclusive play’. This emphasis has continued over 25 years and can be seen particularly in the development of our play equipment.

We have chosen not to develop play equipment that is obviously intended for a distinct group, although we acknowledge that in some situations it is appropriate. Instead we have intentionally introduced items that can be used by a variety of different ages and abilities from simple sensory play panels, loud speakers, seat springers to our highly engineered transfer platforms on modular towers with subtle use of aid rails and sight impairment step lines, unobtrusive yet vital for all inclusive.

Our opinion on how we design a successful play area and play equipment has of course been influenced by the introduction of the DDA Act, however, our original emphasis toward all inclusive and non segregation remains our main focus when designing successful play areas.

Conclusion

Every one is different an individual.

Every man women and child is unique. Each individual requires different things, opportunities, activities, mental stimulation, exercise etc. Playdale will strive to meet the needs of as many individuals that is possible but stress that despite all our efforts we will never be able to state that each play area is 100% accessible to each and every unique individual.

It is the responsibility of the Provider of the play area to ensure that the play area complies with the DDA Act 2004. Playdale, as the designer of the play area, will ensure that the design of the internal play area will conform to the Act and provide assistance and guidance to help ensure consideration has been given to the overall access of the area.

DDA Guidance Notes

Gradients:
• Ramps/Paths 2m or less can have a gradient of (1in12).
• Ramps/Paths 2m – 5m, gradient of (1in15).
• Ramps/Paths 5m or more, gradient of (1in20).
• Car Parking Spaces, gradient (1in50 )max.

Clearance Heights:
• Minimum of 2 metres head clearance from branches etc.

Handrail:
• Handrails not used on play equipment should conform to BS 8300 that recommends a 1000mm high handrail. Handrails for play equipment should conform to BS EN 1176; this recommends handrail heights between 600mm and 850mm.

Gate Openings:
• A minimum gate opening of 1000mm is acceptable; any new play areas should be 1200mm wide.

Gate Colour/Design;
• Pedestrian gates should contrast with the fencing. This can be through a contrast in design (i.e. timber board fencing with steel gate) or a contrast in colour (i.e. steel fencing with a coloured steel gate)

Width of Paths:
• A minimum path width of 1000mm is acceptable, if length over 20m it is necessary to provide passing points and consider rest areas with benches. Any new play areas should consider using 1200mm wide pathways.

Entrances:
• Entrances should be free from any change in heights and trip points that may cause problems manoeuvring prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs. Entrances are heavily used and susceptible to erosion, it is necessary to consider hard standing at these points.

Sign Height;
• No specific recommendation for the height of signs, 1500mm high offers good visibility for most users. Signs should be installed at entrances.

Sign Colour:
• There are standard colours for warning signs; other signs should use good contrasting colours for easy reading.

Swings:
• Swings with rubber cradle seats are suitable for the majority of children up to the age of 3½ years.
• Swings with rubber flat seats are suitable for children over the age of 3½ years, as long as they can maintain good sitting balance and sustained handgrip.

Slides:
• Children of most abilities can use single-width slides attached to play units. Adult assistance may be necessary for less physical able children to get to the top platform and to get up from the end of the slide.
• It may be more difficult to access freestanding slides.
• Less well co-ordinated children can find double-width slides too much of a challenge.

Roundabouts:
• Children with disabilities, together with their carers, can access the majority of standard roundabouts with seating.
• Adults can give children security and support, whilst allowing them to enjoy the rotating experience.
• Roundabouts with surround support seating give children back support and good handholds.

Rocking Equipment:
• Children with good sitting balance and sustained handgrip will be able to use the majority of rocking equipment.
• Sit-in Spring Mobiles and Rockers with good surround seating are more suitable if children need support whilst rocking.
• Traditional Rocking Horses allow carers to sit behind children and give them additional support.

Multi-Play Equipment:
• Low-level tunnels, play panels, games, shops and bridges etc… can combine with higher-level activities to enable children with different levels of physical abilities to play together.
• Children who have limited mobility may require some assistance to get to the upper level of this type of equipment.
• Features such as wide ramps, wheelchair transfer platforms and double-width slides facilitate this or enable a helper to assist and provide physical support.
• Use of ramps within the play equipment adds little ‘inclusive play value.’