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

Leah G Taylor; Mara Primucci; Leigh M Vanderloo; Kelly P Arbour-Nicitopoulos; Jennifer Leo; Jason Gilliland; Patricia Tucker

doi:10.3389/fresc.2023.1102490

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

Front Rehabil Sci. 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.

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.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This research was supported by Western Research, through the Research Mobilization, Creation, & Innovation Grant.