Campaigning for Inclusive Playgrounds Guide

Purpose of this guide

We at Scope, the disability equality charity, have produced this guide with parents of disabled children. This guide is part of our Let’s Play Fair campaign.

It has been created in collaboration with PiPA Play. PiPA Play is a social enterprise with the sole aim of helping to improve accessible and inclusive play facilities for children and families across the UK. PiPA is the only tool to independently assess inclusive provision in outdoor play areas.

This guide is here to support you to make inclusive playgrounds happen in your community. It will walk you through the concepts of:

• inclusive playgrounds
• disability equality and rights
• local government influencing
• campaigning strategies

Using this guide

This guide can help shape your thinking for what you’d like to achieve, as well as how to get there. You don’t need to use all of the advice we provide, just what is useful to you.

If you have any questions on campaigning, please get in touch with the Scope campaigns team on campaigns@scope.org.uk. We will be happy to answer your questions. PiPA Play can also answer your questions about inclusive playgrounds.

Introducing the social model of disability

The social model of disability is a way of viewing the world, developed by disabled people.

The model says that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference. Barriers can be physical, like playgrounds not having accessible toilets. Or they can be caused by people's attitudes to difference, like assuming disabled children can’t play with other children.

The social model helps us recognise barriers that make life harder for disabled people. Removing these barriers creates equality and offers disabled people more independence, choice and control.

What is an inclusive playground

Playgrounds should be accessible and inclusive.

Accessibility is about removing barriers that may prevent disabled children from taking part.

Inclusion is about going a step further. It’s not just about removing barriers, but introducing opportunities for play that ensures that disabled children are included. It’s about promoting integration, creativity and fun - playgrounds that disabled children can truly enjoy and engage fully in.

PiPA principles

PiPA Play focusses on 5 principles to assess how inclusive and accessible a playground is:

Plan to go

This principle looks at the journey to the playground and the facilities available.

An inclusive playground might have:

• Accessible parking spots (sometimes called blue badge spaces)
• A local bus stop
• Safe crossing points with a dropped kerb near any roads

Plan to access

This principle looks at the accessibility in and around the playground.

An accessible playground might have:

• Wide paths
• Flat paths with a well maintained, solid surface both into and around the playground
• Inclusive play equipment on solid surfaces like rubbery ground, or concrete
• Fences around the playground
• Accessible toilets, including changing places toilets

It should not have:

Only grass, sand, loose woodchips or other hard-to-wheel on paths into the playground, and in the playground itself

• Gates that are too narrow for a wheelchair to get through, such as kissing gates designed to keep bikes out.
• Inclusive equipment on loose surfaces, like those already listed

Plan to play

This principle looks at the engaging the senses.

When thinking about play, there are 6 senses that should be planned for. Whilst not all playgrounds will cover all 6 senses, a great playground will engage them all.

These are:

• Touch
• Smell
• Sound
• Sight
• Proprioception which is an awareness of location and movement of our bodies
• Vestibular, which is the awareness of balance and spatial orientation

Plan to rest and recharge

This principle looks at the providing downtime.

• The opportunity for regular rest stops is a necessary function of playground design. This is vital to keep disabled children playing who might need breaks.
• Tables and benches should be where they won’t block access. Picnic tables should allow for a wheelchair user to sit at the table.
• Seating with back rests and arm supports are best.

Plan to engage

This principle looks at the promoting the inclusive playground.

This involves promoting the inclusive play space within the community through accessible, easy to find channels like the local council’s website, social media and signage. When local councils provide information regarding the accessibility of equipment and facilities at the playground, this helps families to make an informed decision about the suitability of the park for them.

Universal design

Universal design is the concept of creating environments that are accessible to everyone. The principle is that by eliminating a barrier for one group, more people overall can use it.

For example:

• A playground with a sensory garden is great for engaging autistic children. But it also provides learning opportunities about nature for all children.
• A fence around the playground keeps children with a learning disability, who are less aware of the dangers of a road, in a safe place. But it also keeps all children safe.

The Let’s Play Fair campaign takes a universal design approach. The playground becomes a more inclusive place for all children. This is a useful concept to return to when trying to advocate for changes at a playground.

Accessible playgrounds: equipment and features

When advocating for features and equipment you want to see in your playground, consider the 6 senses and universal design principles to make your argument.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of inclusive play equipment and features. You can use these to get specific about what you want to see in your playground, and what it is lacking.

Equipment

• Wheelchair accessible Roundabout
• Seesaw with back support and a footrest or a wheelchair accessible seesaw
• High-back swing
• Large nest swing
• Variety of play panels which offer opportunities to explore the senses of light, touch and sound and games to play with others
• Double width slide – so an adult can accompany their child down the slide
• Play frames which have ramped access
• Wheelchair accessible swing
• In ground trampolines (at least 2 meters by 2 meters) to allow a parent/carer to accompany their child.
• Playhouses which allow wheelchair access
• Contained, step-free sandpits
• Musical equipment

Features

• Shaded areas
• Private spaces
• Benches with backs and armrests.
• Landscape which offers play value such as hills for rolling or trees for playing hide and seek.
• Sensory garden
• Water features
• Soft, rubbery floor surfaces
• Ramps to high-up equipment
• Fencing around the playground
• Wide gates
• Colour contrast around equipment
• Changing places toilets

Influencing your local councils

Local government is responsible for a range of important services for both people and businesses in a defined area. These services are wide ranging and include things like social care, housing, planning, and crucially, playgrounds.

There are two different forms of local council set-up; single-tier and two-tier. Single-tier is where there is just one council responsible for every local government function.

Two-tier is where there are two councils; one smaller and one larger, who split local government functions between them.

In two-tier areas, the council level with responsibility will depend on who looks after the area the playground is in. So it can vary depending on the location of the playground.

To find out which level of council you need to speak to, contact your councillors. They should be able to help identify the right person.

In some areas the most local tier of local government is a parish or town council, or community councils in Wales. They maintain local amenities such as recreational areas and play equipment.

You can view a map of the different council areas in England.

Which councillors should you work with?

You should look for councillors with portfolio responsibilities, which include:

• playgrounds
• green space
• community
• wellbeing
• children and families
• environment

to talk to about playgrounds.

Look at your council website to help figure out who these are. Bear in mind this information might change regularly, so council website information can sometimes be out of date. It’s your best starting point though.

Most local councils’ decisions are made through a cabinet of councillors, along with the individual leader, who will be known as the Leader of the Council.

The daily running and decisions are made by the Cabinet member, who are each given different area of work or ‘portfolio’ that they are responsible for. Those with portfolios relating to playgrounds are key.

It’s worth bearing in mind, your MP does not have power over what happens locally. However, they will often be in close contact with the local council – especially if they are in the same political party. Consider speaking to your MP too about your campaign to increase the pressure on your local council.

What your local councillors can do

The councillor who holds the portfolio that covers playgrounds are spokespeople on this area. They will lead on developments and make recommendations to the Cabinet, including on budget priorities. Inclusive playgrounds need budget allotment from councillors to be built and developed.

Local councillors are there to represent their local community. It is important they take the time to listen and understand this issue and what it means to people in the local area.

Finding your decision maker’s motivations

A local councillor might be motivated by:

• making the community better
• saving money for the council
• getting things done before an election
• their “pet projects” – the things they care about most and take ownership over
• getting good press
• meeting their objectives and promises in their election campaign

A local council officer (someone who works for the council) might be motivated by:

• taking on new responsibilities and roles
• being seen as a leader in their area
• keeping their budget on-track
• achieving their legal duties
• awards and recognition
• doing the right thing
• being a good public servant
• adhering to or shaping their strategy and plans

But they are also all people too, beyond their roles. We all get stressed, busy, excited and passionate. As well as their practical motivations, remember you’re working with people with a wide range of feelings, emotions and circumstances.

They also may be coming to your issue with a lack of knowledge and awareness so you can have a role in educating them, whilst motivating them to act.

There are 16 million disabled people in the UK.

• 11% of children are disabled
• 23% of working age adults are disabled

Consider these 3 things when trying to persuade people:

• What are their motivations, and how can you use them?
• What are their thoughts, feelings and circumstances, and how can you be aware of them and work with these challenges and opportunities?
• What is their relationship to the issue and cause, and how can you encourage them to connect with that?

Making the case for inclusive playgrounds

Here is some information you can use and try to make the case to your local council.

Quantitative evidence and insight: data to build your case

Quantitative evidence are the facts, figures and numbers that show the issue. It helps demonstrate the scale of an issue.

Collecting your own data

• Use Scope’s Play Investigation to assess the accessibility of your local playgrounds. From this, you can identify areas for improvement.
• Assess travel times to accessible playgrounds. For example, you could find out that parents in your ward would have to drive 40 minutes to visit the closest accessible playground
• Costs for paying for accessible play centres over a period, compared to if free playgrounds were accessible.
• Surveying parents and carers about their experiences
• And anything else you think would make a persuasive case!

Qualitative evidence: quotes and testimony

Quotes are taken from Scope research with parents and carers of disabled children. The research took place between July and August 2022.

Playground accessibility in England

“Our local playground is absolutely not accessible or inclusive… there isn’t a single piece that disabled children can play on. When we go past my little girl gets excited as she loves seeing the other children swing and make noise. It’s sad as she thinks parks are for others and not for her.” Sefton Central

“He is a thrill seeker and loves to have fun. Being in a wheelchair does not take away his want and need to play, but non-inclusive playgrounds take away his ability to play (not his wheelchair). This is so wrong. My son gets so sad sitting on the side-lines that now we hardly ever go meaning not only does my son miss out on fun in the park, so do his sisters.” Watford

“Not one thing in all our towns playgrounds is accessible for wheelchair users. The times I’ve cried watching one twin enjoy the playground whilst consoling my other twin who is isolated and can only watch! Heartbreaking!” Harborough

“We can’t even get into the playground with barriers erected to stop motorbikes and too narrow entrances. Plus wheelchairs and grass do not mix well. There is no equipment my son can use anyway. I feel like we don’t fit in and no one sees that or even cares.”  Wokingham

Playground accessibility in Wales

“The playground most local to us has very typical play equipment – it is not completely accessible for disabled children with mobility issues. It worries me because it’s not enclosed, so my son (who is autistic and pre-verbal) could easily run onto a road if he becomes overwhelmed.” Monmouth

“There isn’t a single playground that has any equipment for my daughter who is a wheelchair user. She is 14 now but felt completely excluded from playgrounds, instead of going and watching her friends play which was too distressing we avoided such places.” Ogmore

“Our local playground has nothing for my daughter to play with! We have recently travelled 20 miles to go to an accessible park which my daughter loved. Our local park is grass and very awkward to push my daughter’s adaptive chair.” Clwyd South

“It is only the roundabout that is sometimes accessible and it makes our profoundly disabled son feel very sad that he cannot be involved with the other children.” Aberconwy

Impact of inclusive and accessible playgrounds in England

“Huge impact… Being able to walk to a park with her would be respite for her and us during those times. Because this doesn’t exist, we stay at home a lot and her social and emotional development is affected.” Sefton Central

It would be amazing and really make us feel like part of the community! My son could play and interact with other children… this would help to break down the stigma of being disabled and expose [non-disabled] children to kids like my son who have multiple disabilities and help integrate them in the community. Surrey Heath

“It would be somewhere we could take the whole family to play together. These moments are precious as our daughter has a life limiting condition.” Havant

“It would mean so much, to have a place to go and play with his brother too. It really would mean everything to see them both playing together and for my eldest to be playing like any other child.” Leeds Central

Impact of inclusive and accessible playgrounds in Wales

“[Having inclusive playgrounds] would mean my son wouldn’t be made to feel less than… he wants to feel included. I wouldn’t have to walk away defeated at yet another park he can’t access for fun, and the normal everyday things children do. Parents shouldn’t have to be reduced to tears and feel like they’ve failed their child.” Gower

“A local inclusive, fully accessible and safe playground would provide disabled children with the freedom to enjoy playing outdoors within their own community.” Arfon

“I think a lot more children of all abilities would access [inclusive] playgrounds and feel safer… To have a park close to home that features everything you need could not only save money, but it means you don't have to always plan things, you can just go to the park and have fun.” Delyn

“[Inclusive playgrounds] would give my daughter confidence and feel included. She gets frustrated because play equipment is not adapted and is too hard for her. She often plays in a puddle next to the playground, which is so unfair.” Swansea East

Disabled children's rights and the law

The Equality Act and reasonable adjustments

The Equality Act 2010 says that disabled people legally have the right to ‘reasonable adjustments’ that make services accessible to them. Access for disabled people, including children, is a legal requirement.

This applies to employers, public and private services.

There is no set definition of 'reasonable' in the Equality Act. It depends on what a disabled child needs, the situation and how much the adjustment might cost.

This ambiguity of what counts as ‘reasonable’ can benefit you. You can make the case that an adjustment of increasing the inclusivity and accessibility of a playground is reasonable. But it can also be difficult to make this argument if a local council claims that costs, time or other factors make it unreasonable.

Despite this ambiguity, the Equality Act is one of the most powerful pieces of legislation we have to advocate for changes.

Public Sector Equality Duty

As part of the Equality Act, councils must comply with the public sector equality duty. This is in addition to their duty not to discriminate against disabled people and people with other characteristics protected under the act.

The public sector equality duty means councils have obligations to:

• assess the impact of their policies and decisions on disabled people
• take steps to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity between disabled and non-disabled people
• foster good relations between disabled and non-disabled people

Most playgrounds are owned by local councils. Some might be owned by home-builders or other local organisations. The public sector equality duty can be used when talking to the public sector.

But local councils have a role in the planning stages of a playground that is part of a residential development, as they have to approve plans. So the public sector equality duty can be useful in that circumstance.

Funding

Find out about funding and responding to objections around cost when campaigning for inclusive playgrounds.

These are probing responses.

But you can ask these questions in response to arguments about funding. If you know the answer, come with that information at the same time. If you can meet councillors and council staff with the answers when they raise questions about funding, it will be more difficult for them to say no to your requests.

PiPA Play can also help you to respond to these questions and discuss how councils can make inclusive playgrounds happen in their area.

Section 106 funding

Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 says that housing developers can provide money to your local council, to put towards the costs of providing community and social infrastructure. The need for that infrastructure should have arisen because of a new development taking place.

This funding is known as 'Section 106 money'. 

This can be a useful tool for looking for funding for inclusive playgrounds in or around new or planned developments. It’s money that would go to your local council, and you could make the case for it being used to improve or create playgrounds.

Fundraising

We believe that all playgrounds should be inclusive, and in the longer term, national government should provide funding to local government to do this. However, you may want to consider how fundraising can support your campaign.

Sometimes if plans can be made for a playground by a community, with the local council, the community can also help fundraise for it. It’s important to know roughly what costs you need to cover, and have an agreement that the community can fundraise, before you begin fundraising, however. 

Funding can be substantial, from national funders, or small from local funders. Many funders will only fund groups with charitable or social enterprise status.

The application process can be complex and time-consuming. We’d recommend getting advice from a local organisation who helps with grant funding. You may have a local Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) organisation that offers training in grant writing, or a council grants officer who can help you apply for grants.

Some examples of national funders are:

• National Lottery Community Fund
• People’s Postcode Lottery Trusts (Different trusts cover different causes and parts of the country)
• Grants for Good
• Groundwork

Applying for grants from local organisations, charities and grant givers

Some well-known grant giving organisations that have local branches include Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs and Women’s Institutes. Every branch will use their funds differently.

Apply for grants from national businesses

Many national businesses have charitable funds or trusts. Lots will have a local focus.

We have heard of inclusive playgrounds that have received grants from:

• Most national supermarkets, which have community funding schemes
• B&Q foundation
• Persimmon Homes

But there are plenty of national businesses that may have schemes open to you.

Asking for sponsorship or donations from local businesses and individuals

Local businesses can be powerful allies. They can provide time, volunteering, and money to your projects. Consider what they can offer you, and what you can offer them.

Individuals too can be great sponsors and passionate champions for your playground. 

Crowdfunding for small donations

Crowdfunding is asking people to donate small sums of money to contribute to an overall goal. Most platforms will take a small percentage of what you fundraise, but you don’t need to be a registered charity to use them.

GoFundMe and JustGiving are 2 of the most popular platforms. Both have guides on how to fundraise with them successfully. These are based on the thousands of successful (and unsuccessful) fundraising campaigns on these platforms.

Other ways to fundraise

You can find more information about how to go about fundraising, including hosting your own fundraising events.

Campaigning for inclusive playgrounds

You can find out more about how to campaign with our Campaigns Handbook.

Aims and objectives

The first step in any campaign is setting out your aims and objectives.

Aims are the overall thing you want to achieve. It’s best to try to keep it simple and one sentence, but specific. Is your aim to get a new playground built, or to renovate an existing one? Is it that every playground in your area introduces inclusive play equipment?

Objectives are the incremental, specific steps you’ll take to achieve your aim.

Examples of objectives are:

• Getting your local council leader to recognise the need for an inclusive playground in your area
• Achieving a commitment to an inclusive playground consultation by your council for a new development
• Sourcing enough funding for an inclusive playground
• Having a group of parents of disabled children who work together regularly on the issue across the area
• Having clear objectives keeps you on track. You might have a few different objectives, but you should have just one aim.

Consultation

When developing or renovating playgrounds, your local council should consult with the community.

As part of your campaign, you can advocate for good consultation for playgrounds, or for a consultation on a play strategy for your area. This can help show a movement of people who want to see this happen.

Building a coalition of support

Having people who support your campaign, and who can help with their own skills, networks and time can be beneficial to your campaign.

Consider who your local council might listen to the most, and who is a powerful influence in your community.

Your coalition of support might include:

• Parents and carers of disabled children
• Disabled adults
• Leaders of local schools
• Opposition councillors
• Local journalists and press
• Clergy (particularly if your local council is a parish) and religious leaders
• Community activists
• Local businesses near the playground and tradespeople
• Local celebrities

Tactics

Your tactics are the things you want to do to reach your objectives. These are the core activities of your campaign. Campaigns are rarely won using only one tactic, they usually use a range of activities to achieve their goal.

• Petitions
• Digital and social media campaigns
• Letter writing
• Freedom of Information requests
• Public meetings and events
• Formal complaints
• Private meetings or lobbying
• Protest or direct action

Tactics usually have varying timescales depending on their complexity. It will be quicker to make a social media post than it will be to arrange a meeting with a councillor, but a meeting is much more likely to result in action.

It can be easy to jump to public action as a tactic, but consider how you can lobby privately. Then, if you need to build public support to increase pressure, look at more public-facing tactics.

Evaluation

After you’ve tried a few different things, take a step back and look at what you have achieved. Have you got people talking about playgrounds? Have you had any commitments? Considering what you’ve achieved, and where there is room to grow, will allow you to see what effect you’ve had.

It’s best if you can track your progress and measure your success against your campaign’s objectives. Sometimes your objectives might need to change because of what you’ve learnt through your campaigning.

Evaluating your campaign throughout, can help you reflect and make improvements, like:

• changing your messaging
• using different tactics
• targeting your audience better

Keeping momentum and energy

Campaigns are rarely won in a week. By going slow and steady, you can make sure your campaign is effective and lasts enough time to achieve your aim overall.

Looking after yourself over the long term is important, more so during busy periods of a campaign. 

Ways you can keep going include:

• Taking care of your basics and being realistic about the amount of time you can give to your campaign
• Planning in advance what you can pick up and put down
• Bringing more people on board to share tasks and responsibilities
• Keeping things fun where possible
• Taking some time after a set-back to evaluate and re-plan
• Trying new tactics and targets when you feel you aren’t getting anywhere
• Celebrating all achievements, big or small, and sharing your successes

Success examples

Stories from The Playbook

Scope produced The Playbook in 2022 to provide local councils and campaigners with a better understanding of what good looks like when it comes to inclusive playgrounds.

It contains lots of case studies about playgrounds from across England, Wales, and globally.

Download The Playbook (2.6MB Word).

Advice from PiPA

The content of this guide was informed by a group of parents of disabled children with experience of campaigning for inclusive playgrounds, including Rebecca Maddern, PiPA Play Director.

Useful resources

Here are some resources you can use to help.

Inclusive play guidelines

PiPA Play

This guide has been written in collaboration with PiPA Play.

You can find out more about inclusive play on PiPA Play's website.

Sport England: Active Design Guidance

Sport England have lots of guidance on what a good active space should look like.

Active Design Guidance (Sport England)

Scope helpline

Our helpline provides free, independent and impartial advice and support on issues that matter to disabled people and their families.

Whilst we can’t provide specific advice about playgrounds, we may be able to signpost you.

Call: 0808 800 3333

Textphone: 18001 0808 800 3333

Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles.

Email: helpline@scope.org.uk