Inclusion & All Abilities Park
Inclusion is what an All Abilities Park is all about. A community can add a piece of equipment that is considered more inclusive, and that is great! However, that is considered more integration rather than inclusion. Having a space where children and families can feel included is a significant aspect in a comfortable learning experience. Callen’s Castle will extend to all types of disabilities to help everyone learn and grow from one another.
A disability is any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. Who are children with disabilities?! PlayCore, Inc. has done some research on some numbers that should be contemplated when we think more about what inclusion is. Out of 1,000 children between the ages of 3 and 21, 85 of those will have a disability. Only 1 of those 85 will have a physical disability. 41.5 with a cognitive disability, 17 with a communication disability, 11 with a social-emotional disability, 11 with a chronic health condition, 2 with multiple disabilities, and 1.5 with sensory. An All Abilities Park includes each of these types of disabilities and does not single one of them out. When we begin to integrate our parks system, we are including only a specific disability type and not the whole community. Isn’t the idea behind parks to involve the whole community?!