Singer-Songwriter Colin Hay, New Words, Fast Food Strikes, and Accessible Playgrounds

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• Seeking Out Playgrounds For Everyone

  For many kids, going to the playground is a natural part of childhood. And while a visit to the park can be a bunch of fun, it’s also the place where kids develop life skills. But for children with disabilities, the playground can be an inaccessible place. And as a result, these kids miss can out on those skills.

  However, under new requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, any new playgrounds being built must “inclusive.” This means providing equipment and materials that allow children with disabilities the same opportunities for play.

  Some of these elements include smooth surfaces, ramps, accessible swings, sound-play components, safety fences and sight-impaired play components.

  But unless you already know about them, how do you find these accessible playgrounds?

  That’s where NPR’s Accessible Playgrounds Project comes in. The goal is to compile a complete database of accessible playgrounds across the country, and your help is needed. If your local playground has any of these accessible features, you can add it to the database for others to find.

  Robert Benincasa, a producer at NPR, and one of the founders of the project, said that for parents of children with disabilities, these parks make all the difference.

  “It’s the difference between being able to connect with another kid…versus just having to stand on the sidelines and watch. It makes a huge difference socially to be able to interact with other children.”

  The database is also available as a mobile app.