1. All-Play fully accessible playground
Presented by: CJ Double m design solutions
February 2nd, 2015

2. Introduction to The problem
1 in 20 children in Canada are disabled
Most playgrounds are not accessible for mentally and physically disabled persons
During recess, evenings, and weekends children with disabilities sit out while their friends play
Wanted to design a safe playground that every body can use
First bullet: according to stats canada
Second bullet: because of gravel or sand, lack of braille, lack of sensory equipment (music, colors, touching), ladders, no ramps, no transfer stations, systems that are complex to navigate…
Third bullet: Many disabled children are left out because there is no equipment suitable for their needs
Fourth bullet: C.J. Double M Wants to design a safe, accessible playground that will allow every child to play

3. How people cope & limited solutions
Not using the playground and instead sitting out
Playing on equipment that is not safe for them
In a few cases people can travel to a nearby accessible playground
Can either modify a pre-existing playground to be accessible OR design a new accessible playground
Bullet 1: Most children with disabilities will be stuck sitting on the side and watching their friends play, leaves them feeling isolated and alone, “different”
Bullet 2: Another thing children with disabilities do is play on equipment that is not safe for them because they want to be included, which is very dangerous
Bullet 3: Some people have the luxury of travelling to an accessible playground in their town or a nearby town but there are very few accessible playgrounds in Canada. The first accessible playground in Canada was opened in 2012 in Toronto, so this is all very new to Canada. Travelling to an accessible playground is typically not an option.
Bullet 4: Really only 2 options are to design a new accessible playground or to modify a pre-existing playground. Modifying a pre-existing playground would be nearly impossible as most equipment meant for disabled children is completely different than typical playground equipment and is not simply an addition.

4. Methods for solving the problem
Researching common disabilities in Canada
Finding pre-existing equipment that would be an asset to the playground
Designing a special swing that allows for children with muscle deficiencies to swing with others
Bullet 1: researching common disabilities in Canada and learning about their unique needs
Bullet 2: Many companies specialize in designing equipment that fits the needs of different mental and physical disabilities
Bullet 3: A special design that we came up with so that children with muscle deficiencies can swing with their helpers, friends, or parents without having to be pushed

5. Difficult to provide for all different types of disabilities
Design limitations
Many stringent guidelines for a playground to be considered fully accessible
Difficult to provide for all different types of disabilities
Making sure that the layout allows for maximum accessibility
Initial cost estimate is very high, working to maintain the functionality while lowering the cost
Including a sufficient amount of sensory equipment
Bullet 1: There are many stringent guidelines for a playground to actually be considered fully accessible, for example the number of elevated components vs. the number of ground components
Bullet 2: There are so many different types of disabilities and it is very difficult to provide for all of them as they all have very unique needs
Bullet 3: The playground must have a layout that maximizes the accessibility and allows the most children to use the most pieces of equipment
Bullet 4: Trying to lower the cost estimate while maintaining the accessibility, safety, and functionality of the playground as the initial cost estimate is very high
Bullet 5: Sensory equipment, such as musical components or different textured materials, are very important as they can help toddlers as well as children with mental disabilities to learn using many of their senses.

6. Swing-Mate
Swing-Mate is our modification on the typical accessible swing. Swing-Mate features a regular rubber swing as well as a plastic chair swing with back and neck support (for children with muscle deficiencies). The Swing-Mate allows for children with muscle deficiencies to swing alongside their friend, helper, or parent as opposed to them being pushed. The bar is hinged at the red circles which will allow the two seats to swing at the same time. While the person in the rubber swing is propelling themselves and “swinging”, the child in the seated swing will be moving along with them.

7. General playground layout

8. Cost estimates Component Approximate Cost Rubberized Flooring
$58000 ($12.04/sq. ft. at approximately 4800 sq. ft)
Laborers and Machine on site
$20000
Concrete set for approximately legs
$4000
Accessible Chair for Swing-Mate
$500
6 Chains for Swing-Mate
$120
Regular Rubber Swing for Swing-Mate
$30
2 Hinges for Swing-Mate
$40
Galvanized Steel Pipes for Swing-Mate
$400
Rest of Playground Equipment
(Other swings, slides, ramps, etc.)
Too early for approximate cost
The cost estimates are all approximations and subject to change. A cost estimate for the playground equipment would not have been a good representation of the cost as It varies a lot depending on lay out, materials, equipment chosen, etc. Part of the challenge is to try to reduce the costs of the playground.

9. Note: Day 0 is January 9th

10. references
Disability in Canada: A 2006 Profile. (2013, August 5). Retrieved February 1, 2015, from
Rogers, K. (2012, July 20). Toronto officially opens Canada’s first accessible playground | Toronto Star. Retrieved February 1, 2015, from nd.html
Accessible Playspaces in Canada: A Guidebook for Children's Playspaces that are Accessible to Persons with Disabilities based on CAN/CSA Z Annex H. (2007, January 1). Retrieved February 1, 2015, from

11. Questions?