This study was based on a concern regarding the absence of families with disabled children in many spaces of play, leisure and nature, and the understanding that access to opportunities for natural play offers numerous benefits for children. The study was also based on the understanding that playspaces which are purposefully designed or adapted to be accessible for young people with disabilities are not necessarily experienced as positive, inclusive or enjoyable by those who use them.
Specific goals of this research project were to collect evidence of the outdoor play needs of families with children with disabilities and to evaluate usage and experiences of these families in two newly-refurbished accessible natural playspaces in two local country parks in North London. The playspaces were referred to as “The Woods” and “The Lake.” The refurbishing of these playspaces included efforts to make them more accessible to a wider audience (including people with disabilities) and to provide a more natural play environment.
Sixty parents/carers with children (aged 5–16) with moderate or severe learning, emotional and physical difficulties completed a questionnaire about their usage and experiences of visiting The Woods and The Lake with their child/ren. The questionnaire concluded with an invitation for parents/carers and children to participate in a follow-up interview. Twelve families agreed to participate in audio-recorded semi-structured interviews together. Questionnaire and interview data revealed four key themes: (1) social-material barriers to fun; (2) profound emotional-affective impacts of such barriers; (3) sadness and a sense of failure; and (4) the possibility of moments of family joy, love and "special" time.
Physical barriers reported by parents/carers included inaccessible gates/entrances, trip hazards, and inaccessible toilets/amenities. Social barriers included attitudes of other people, bullies, and limited experience of wardens/staff in working with children with disabilities. Parents/carers described the emotional-affective impacts of such barriers in terms of “dread” and “resignation.” They reported a sense of failure in not living up to normative ideals of parenting and family engagement with outdoor play and urban natures. The responses of most respondents, however, also included descriptions of moments of joy and quality time at The Woods and The Lake.
These findings indicate that physical barriers to accessibility may not be the principal way in which play/nature spaces are encountered by people with disabilities. This research also points to the importance of securing the perspectives of people with disabilities and their families regarding outdoor play/nature spaces rather than accepting general assumptions about normative ways of knowing outdoor play, urban natures and barriers to accessibility.
Research Partner