Stature (or lack thereof)
May 9, 2017 0:57:48 GMT -5
Post by freezorburn on May 9, 2017 0:57:48 GMT -5
I'm not versed in the diagnostics that you are asking about, but I know a little bit about playground equipment. At a minimum they have to meet ADA and several consumer safety guidelines/recommendations. But, minimums aren't necessarily able to foresee the full range of needs that might be encountered in a particular play environment. The play equipment companies that I've dealt with, and the designers, generally try to exceed those minimums, since they are passionate about what they do, and if they are able to create something that is more inclusive that what came before .... well, it's very satisfying. But there are always real-world constraints that come into play as well.
When you say the playground is "for bigger kids" -- are you talking just physical size, or that the skills/experience/challenges of the play area are not meeting her where she is at, as far as richness of experience? I ask because I've seen a 7-year-old with spina bifida, who was also probably small for her age, roll herself out of a wheelchair and just start climbing around the equipment at a city park. I can't say what her reach was, but she had enough upper body strength to navigate and have fun. This was on new-at-the-time play structure about 10 years ago.
Is the playground in question somewhat out of date? Are there plans for it to be renovated? When? Is there another location that you know of, that you feel the play environment would be more appropriate for DD?
When you say the playground is "for bigger kids" -- are you talking just physical size, or that the skills/experience/challenges of the play area are not meeting her where she is at, as far as richness of experience? I ask because I've seen a 7-year-old with spina bifida, who was also probably small for her age, roll herself out of a wheelchair and just start climbing around the equipment at a city park. I can't say what her reach was, but she had enough upper body strength to navigate and have fun. This was on new-at-the-time play structure about 10 years ago.
Is the playground in question somewhat out of date? Are there plans for it to be renovated? When? Is there another location that you know of, that you feel the play environment would be more appropriate for DD?