Designing Play Spaces for All

Developed in partnership with Utah State University Center for Persons with Disabilities, PlayCore's Me2: 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design is the definitive guidebook for creating play environments for people of all ages and abilities and creating inclusive communities through play. The book defines seven principles of inclusive playground design that strive to create a truly inclusive and embracing play experience to meet the developmental needs of the whole child and the whole community. 

GameTime's Commitment to Inclusion

For more than four decades, GameTime has made accessibility and inclusion a cornerstone of our approach to developing playgrounds. The first commercially-available ramped play system was developed by GameTime, and we continue to innovate and design products to create equality and parity on the playground. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines specific requirements to make public places accessible. Merely making a playground accessible, however, is just a starting point. To create an inclusive space for people of all abilities, GameTime leans on the research in Me2® to ensure the play space is beneficial to the greatest number of people and to the fullest extent possible. Moving from accessibility to full inclusion is a process of intentional design choices to ensure everyone has an opportunity to play, and to enjoy the playground, together. 

The principles found in Me2 help communities create play spaces that include everyone

Applying the 7 Principles

Me2 takes the original seven principles of inclusive design, created for making public buildings accessible, and adapts them specifically to the playground. It describes the need for inclusive play, and the benefits realized by every member of the community. Moreover, it outlines how to create universally designed play environments to increase the “playability” for people of diverse abilities, age, race, gender, ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic status. 

The process for GameTime begins with a conversation with community leaders, families and inclusion advocates to identify the needs of the people who will play on the playground. We work together to select appropriate play components, design the overall space and create a play experience that provides benefits across all five developmental domains: physical, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive and communicative. The research in Me2 makes it easy for GameTime and our customers to visualize the need, the solution and how an inclusive playground will benefit the whole child, the whole space and the whole community.

Me2 describes how to add sensory-rich play experiences for people of all ages and abilities

Partnering with GameTime for Inclusive Play

Decades of experience, a passionate commitment to include everyone, and innovative products that create meaningful play experiences for all ages and abilities - these are the hallmarks of a GameTime partnership. Combined with the comprehensive research and design guidelines found in Me2, they represent the most complete solution for developing inclusive play spaces. 

Designing and building an inclusive playground, however, is only one part of the equation. GameTime recognizes many communities don't fully understand the need for inclusive play spaces. We host workshops and symposiums throughout North America for park and recreation professionals, educators, landscape architects, and inclusion advocates to train, equip and inspire. During these educational outreach events, PlayCore's Center for Outreach, Research and Education (CORE) covers the research found in Me2, shares inspiring community stories and provides best practices for planning your inclusive play and recreation experience. And for customers who design an inclusive playground using Me2, we submit your project to PlayCore for consideration in the National Demonstration Site Program. National Demonstration Sites are recognized by PlayCore in regional and national press advisories, included in future educational sessions and integrated into an ongoing research initiative. 

GameTime hosts  workshops around the country to help communities implement the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design

Be Inspired and Inspire Others

All around the world, GameTime has used the best practice research found in Me2 to create playgrounds that celebrate the abilities of all people, bring communities together and remove barriers to play. Our approach to inclusion is a way of thinking and making decisions so that everyone belongs. It’s about intentionally planning for the success of everyone. 

View some of our inclusive playground designs or request a copy of our inclusive play catalog to see for yourself how GameTime and the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design open up unlimited possibilities for play. If you're ready to start your own inclusive project, contact a GameTime inclusion champion and create a place where Play Has No Limit®. 

Next Steps

Download Me2 Summary	Request a Copy of the Guide	View Inclusive Products
Learn About Inclusive National Demonstration Sites	Contact Us About Inclusive Playgrounds	Learn About Inclusive Programming