Innovative Practice 2018 on Accessibility
Replicating fully accessible and inclusive playgrounds throughout the country
Name of Innovative Practice: | Replicating fully accessible and inclusive playgrounds throughout the country |
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Organisation: | Beit Issie Shapiro |
Country of Implementation | Israel |
PROBLEMS TARGETED
SOLUTION, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT
The playground was developed involving all relevant stakeholders, including people with disabilities, who followed each development stage to ensure that all perspectives and needs were addressed.
The uniqueness of Friendship Park and the key to its success is the integration of physical accessibility together with structured social accessibility. Physical accessibility is ensured by the topography of the playground itself, the restrooms, and each piece of equipment. Realizing that physical accessibility is not enough for true inclusion, however, BIS developed the playground as a platform for social change, structuring social and educational activities that reach children with and without disabilities, their families, and teachers.
Social inclusion takes place through programmes that aim to raise awareness and teach children how to play together. The playground is open to spontaneous play, but also offers a variety of initiated activities, including inclusive get-togethers of families of children with and without disabilities, and inclusive holiday festivals.
OUTLOOK, TRANSFERABILITY AND FUNDING
Since Friendship Park was developed with the intention to be replicated, the work process was documented thoroughly from start to finish. In addition, the model also takes cultural sensitivities into account. BIS has presented Friendship Park at the United Nations and international conferences, as well as shared the model in countries in Africa and South America and in the United Kingdom.
The initial establishment of Friendship Park was funded by the National Insurance Institute of Israel, the Welfare Ministry, the Ra’anana municipality, and foundations, totalling $1.26 million. Today, the Ra’anana municipality is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the playground, as well as the social programming. In 2016 the municipality’s budget for the playground was $170,000: 20 per cent for the maintenance and 80 per cent for the social and educational programmes.