Half of the municipalities in Brabant do not have a play area for disabled children. “It is precisely in these places in the neighborhood that the first contact between children with and without disabilities occurs,” says Rebecca Gerritse, director of the Disabled Child Foundation. According to her, community play areas, where all children can play together, have much more value than is often thought. “There you learn that differences are part of life and that every child is different. You will take that understanding with you for the rest of your life.”
In the Netherlands, around 155 municipalities still do not have an inclusive playground, according to research by the foundation. There is also still work to be done in Brabant: of the 56 municipalities, 28 do not have a community play area. This means that in half of Brabant municipalities, children with disabilities do not yet have a place to play together. These municipalities also include larger places such as Roosendaal, Goirle and Veldhoven.
“Every child should be able to play.”
The lack of a place to play together has major consequences. The same research shows that at least one in three children with a disability never goes near a playground. Of the children who do, a quarter often play alone. “It may seem like it is just a playground, but that is where children with and without disabilities get to know each other,” Gerritse explains. “The sooner you start this, the better. This will help later with respect, understanding and appreciation for each other.”
According to Gerritse, a community play area should be a place where every child feels welcome. “When you come there, you immediately see: everyone can participate here,” she says. “We work with the 100-70-50 rule: 100 percent of the playground equipment must be inviting, 70 percent accessible and at least half playable for children with disabilities. We know that not everything can be perfectly accessible for everyone, but it is about awareness: every child should be able to play.”
“Everyone can participate here.”
Fortunately, Pien (12) from Uden has such a place. With a big smile she says that she can play there with everyone. Her mother, Martine Bex, is also enthusiastic. “The playground is well-organized, with paved paths, colorful equipment and a merry-go-round that can also accommodate a wheelchair. Everyone can participate here, which makes it really inclusive.”
She notices that when they go together, Pien seeks contact with other children, even without disabilities. “When those children play with her, she really shines. That gives her so much confidence, and that is wonderful to see,” says Martine.
“Many municipalities do not yet see the need.”
According to Gerritse, the fact that such a place does not yet exist everywhere is mainly due to a lack of knowledge and sense of urgency among municipalities. “Many municipalities don’t really know how to approach it or don’t see the need yet,” she says. According to her, a model municipality can help others on their way. “Once you see how it can be done, others often quickly follow.”
The foundation has big ambitions: by 2030, every municipality in the Netherlands must have at least one inclusive playground. “We want 70 percent of the municipalities to be ready by the end of 2026,” says Gerritse. “This means that about fifty municipalities still have to take action. Municipalities play a key role in this: they must see the importance and get to work on it.”