Usability of Public Play Spaces for Children with Disabilities.
Asma Nidaul Haq, Yuko Ito, Natsuka Suyama and 3 others
PMID 38187036WHAT IT FOUND
Children with disabilities in Indonesia described public play spaces as vital for fun and connection, but physical barriers and bullying made them feel unsafe.
They sought challenging equipment and nature, while caregivers prioritized safety fences and softer surfaces to allow independent play.
Key findings
01Children with disabilities sought fun through risky play, such as height and speed, but physical barriers like uneven ground and inadequate equipment prevented full participation and led to teasing.
02Caregivers limited visits to play spaces due to safety concerns, specifically citing unfenced ponds, hard surfaces, and rusty equipment, which forced them to remain on high alert.
03Children expressed a desire for play spaces that included animals, trees, and varied equipment to maintain interest, rather than the standard swings and slides currently provided.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included only seven children, limiting the range of experiences captured. Children with severe physical and hearing impairments were excluded, so findings do not apply to those groups. Data collection was online for interviews, which may have restricted the ability to observe subtle nonverbal cues. The study was conducted in one region of Indonesia, so findings may not transfer to other cultural or economic contexts. One caregiver was unavailable for interview, reducing the caregiver data set to six.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific playground designs improve clinical outcomes. This is a small qualitative study describing perceptions and barriers in one Indonesian province, not a test of an intervention's efficacy.