Playgrounds are places of encounter where children spend time with their friends, overcome challenges, experience adventures and pursue joyful, imaginative play. However, for children with disabilities, access to playgrounds or the use of playground equipment is often limited or not possible at all due to physical barriers.
The goal of Corinna Eitel's bachelor's thesis was therefore to design a concept for an inclusive playground for children with and without disabilities aged one and a half to fourteen years for the outdoor area of the Schön Klinik in Vogtareuth. Corinna Eitel, who works as an occupational therapist in the Department of Neuropediatrics at the Schön Klinik, took on this topic with the support of her former fellow students Lisa Birkner and Lale Menek. The work, entitled "The way to play - an inclusive playground design," was awarded the Science Prize of the "Leben pur" foundation in 2019.
In this explorative study, 47 participants were asked about their experiences of using playgrounds and their wishes. The questionnaires were answered by children undergoing treatment, their parents, as well as therapists, nurses and educators from the Neuropediatrics and Pediatric Orthopedics departments of the Schön Klinik. The focus of the survey was on the wishes, challenges and adaptation possibilities of the participants. The data collected, literature research, five expert interviews and the scientific assessments of the authors resulted in the design for an inclusive playground for the outdoor area of the Schön Klinik in Vogtareuth.
The playground currently has a platform combination with triangular and hexagonal modules connected by a 5-meter bridge specially designed for wheelchair users. A slide with a special seat with grab rail and an extended slide exit allows children with motor impairments to glide down the slide and enjoy the slide fun. There is also a special wheelchair rocker. This three-part seesaw plate is articulated in a protective frame. The rocking is triggered by moving back and forth or by shifting weight accordingly while walking. The joint action, the attraction of playing together, the call to make arrangements, make up the special value of the device. Wheelchair users and healthy people, tall and short, heavy and light, old and young can have fun together. Playing creates the feeling of moving part of the way.
A small water playground with a pump and channels that are wheelchair-accessible has now been added.
