Promoting inclusive playgrounds through lived experience
Promoting inclusive playgrounds through lived experience
As featured in Boroondara Bulletin – June/July 2025
Creating playgrounds for all abilities
In a new initiative, Ability Works collaborated with Boroondara Council to design a more inclusive playground for the South Surrey local playground. By harnessing the lived experiences of young people and older individuals with disabilities, these playgrounds are being transformed into spaces where everyone can play and enjoy.
Harnessing lived experience
Students from Belmore School and assessors from Ability Works were actively involved in testing the existing playgrounds at the Belmore School and Grovedale Park to input into the design of the new South Surrey local playground. Their feedback was invaluable in ensuring that this, and future playgrounds are accessible, safe, and enjoyable for all. For instance, Livian loved the big basket swing at Grovedale Park, while Ryan suggested adding dinosaur prints to the playground to promote imaginative play.
Inclusive Design benefits everyone
Natalie Collins, Inclusive Design Manager at Ability Works, emphasises the broader benefits of inclusive design:
“A reflection of our inclusive design work will be when people visit our playgrounds and don’t even notice how inclusive they are. There’ll be things for everyone to do and to access. Our work should be invisible and work for everyone.”
Making changes based on feedback
The feedback from testers is already being applied to current and recent upgrades, including South Surrey Park and Kellett Reserve playgrounds. This ensures that the playgrounds are not only inclusive and more resilient but also cater to the needs of all users, from wheelchair access to sensory-friendly spaces.
Call to action
Local governments are invited to join this transformative journey. By partnering with Ability Works, you can create playgrounds that truly reflect the needs of your community. Contact Ability Works to explore opportunities for collaboration and make a lasting impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
Please contact us for more information and to discuss potential collaborations.