Inclusive Playground Design

The Inclusive Play Design Guidelines will help us make playgrounds easy to access, safe to use, and welcoming for everyone. To develop the guidelines, we are:

• Getting input from the community,
• Asking for advice from accessibility and play experts, and
• Reviewing inclusivity best practices to learn what is working in other places.

The goals of this work include: 

• Building inclusive, accessible playgrounds. We want playgrounds to be safe, welcoming, and easy for everyone to use. All children should be able to take part in active play and spend time with others.
• Helping people connect. We aim to make spaces where kids, caregivers, and community members can meet, talk, and spend time together.
• Offering different kinds of play. Playgrounds should offer a mix of activities with different levels of challenge. This helps children with different needs take part in ways that feel right for them.
• Going beyond basic requirements. We want playgrounds that reflect the diversity of the people who use them. This means thinking about sensory, emotional, cultural, and physical needs, along with accessibility.

This work supports the Park Board’s goals to improve inclusive play in Vancouver. It aligns with the City of Vancouver Accessibility Strategy (2025), VanPlay (2020), the 2024 motion for an Inclusive and Accessible Sensory Park (PDF, 1383 KB) and other Park Board directions to create inclusive and accessible playgrounds.

We are renewing the playground at Memorial South Park. The Park Board set a goal (PDF, 273 KB) of creating five inclusive destination playgrounds across Vancouver by 2040. Memorial South Park will be the first of these playgrounds. It will be the first place where we put the Inclusive Play Design Guidelines into practice.

An inclusive play space is a place where people of all ages, abilities, and cultures feel welcome to play and spend time together. It is designed so people can easily get there, move around safely and comfortably, and take part in many different play experiences, activities, and challenges. An inclusive play space includes the equipment, pathways, seating, shade, washrooms, gathering spaces, and other features that support the whole play experience. It uses principles of inclusion and accessibility so that people with different needs, abilities, and backgrounds can choose how they play, participate, and enjoy the space for as long as they wish. (Adapted from: Everyone Can Play: A Guideline to Inclusive Playspaces, Government of NSW, 2023)

Accessibility means removing barriers so everyone can take part in community life and have equal opportunities to contribute, participate, and benefit. Barriers can be physical, like stairs or narrow doorways; communication barriers, like information that is hard to read or understand; or social barriers, like unfair treatment or exclusion. Accessibility is important because it helps people feel included, respected, and able to participate in all parts of life, including social, cultural, economic, spiritual, and political activities.

People may experience barriers in different ways based on many parts of their identity, such as disability, age, culture, gender, language, income, or family background. These different experiences can overlap and sometimes create extra barriers. By identifying and removing these barriers, accessibility helps more people feel welcome, belong, and fully participate in their communities. (Adapted from COV Accessibility Strategy)

Ableism is a way of thinking and organizing society that treats people with disabilities as less capable, less valuable, or less important than people without disabilities. It can lead to people with disabilities being excluded, treated unfairly, ignored, or denied support and opportunities. Ableism can affect how buildings, services, workplaces, schools, and communities are designed, often making it harder for people with disabilities to participate. People may experience ableism starting from birth, or after becoming disabled at any point in life. Ableism often overlaps with other forms of unfair treatment and can create barriers that affect a person’s dignity, choices, participation, and sense of belonging. (Adapted from COV Accessibility Strategy)

Barriers are anything that makes it harder for a person with a disability to fully and equally take part in everyday life. Barriers can affect how people access places, services, information, opportunities, or relationships. They may be physical, communication, social, financial, or organizational. Some people may face additional or more complex barriers because of other parts of who they are, such as their age, culture, gender, language, income, or other experiences of unfair treatment. (Adapted from COV Accessibility Strategy)

Caregiver: A person who helps take care of someone else, such as a parent, family member, or support worker. (Adapted from Family Caregivers of British Columbia and Statistics Canada)

Cultural Inclusion: Making sure people from all cultures feel welcome, respected, and included. (Adapted from the UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity)

Disability includes physical, mental health, cognitive, intellectual, sensory, or age-related conditions that may affect how a person moves, communicates, learns, processes information, or experiences the world. Barriers in the environment, services, systems, or attitudes make it harder for a person with disabilities to fully and equally take part in everyday life. Disabilities may be visible or invisible, and they may be permanent, temporary, or come and go over time. People may also experience disability in different ways depending on other parts of who they are, such as their age, culture, gender, language, income, or life experiences. (Adapted from COV Accessibility Strategy)

Equity means creating access in ways that recognise that people do not all start from the same place or have the same needs. For people with disabilities, equitable approaches focus on removing barriers and providing the supports, adjustments, or opportunities each person may need to fully participate. Equity is different from equality. Equality means giving everyone the same thing or treating everyone the same. Equity means providing different kinds of support based on a person’s needs so everyone has a fair opportunity to participate, belong, and succeed. (Adapted from COV Accessibility Strategy)

Inclusion is a way of thinking and acting that celebrates diversity and differences. Inclusivity means that everyone has something of value to offer, and that everyone has a right to belong. (Adapted from multiple sources: Alberta Education, cited in Creating Accessible Play Spaces, Rick Hansen Foundation, 2020; and Inclusive Play Design Guideline, Playworld, 2019)

Universal design means designing products, places, and spaces so they are welcoming, attractive, and usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their age, ability, or stage of life. Universal design aims to make things easier to access, understand, and use from the start, without the need for special adaptations wherever possible. It is often used in the design of buildings, housing, public spaces, products, transportation systems, and other parts of everyday life so that more people can use them safely, comfortably, and independently. Universal design is guided by seven principles:

• Equitable use means a space, product, or service is designed to work well for people with different abilities, needs, and backgrounds. It is useful, welcoming, and accessible to as many people as possible.
• Flexibility in use means a design can support different ways of using it. It allows people to choose the methods, positions, tools, or supports that work best for them.
• Simple and intuitive use means a design is easy to understand and use, even for people with different levels of experience, knowledge, language, energy, or literacy.
• Perceptible information means important information is shared in clear ways that people can notice, understand, and use, including people with different sensory, communication, or learning needs.
• Tolerance for error means a design helps prevent mistakes and reduces the risk of harm if someone makes an accidental or unintended action.
• Low physical effort means a design can be used comfortably, safely, and efficiently without causing unnecessary strain, fatigue, or discomfort.
• Size and space for approach and use means there is enough room for people to reach, move, turn, interact with, and use a space or object comfortably, regardless of their body size, posture, mobility, or use of mobility aids.

(Adapted from the COV Accessibility Strategy and the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design)

設計共融遊樂場

攜手打造溫哥華的共融遊樂場設計

溫哥華現有超過150個遊樂場，其中不少建於我們對「共融遊戲」理解尚未成熟的年代。本項目旨在確保未來建設的遊樂場，能夠更好地滿足所有兒童、家庭及照顧者的需要。

繁體中文資訊

請於 2026 年 5 月 31 日前完成我們的網上問卷調查。

如欲以繁体中文提交意見，請於 2026 年 5 月 31 日前致電 3-1-1熱線。客服人員將會為您接通口譯人員，協助您完成問卷調查

设计包容性游乐场

携手打造温哥华的包容性游乐场设计

温哥华现有超过150个游乐场，其中不少建于我们对“包容性游乐”理解尚未成熟的年代。本项目旨在确保未来建设的游乐场，能够更好地满足所有儿童、家庭及照顾者的需要。

简体中文信息

请于2026年5月31日之前完成我们的网上问卷调查 。

如欲以简体中文提交意见，请于2026 年5月31日前致电 3-1-1热线。客服人员将会为您接通口译人员，协助您完成问卷调查。

ਸਮਾਵੇਸ਼ੀ ਖੇਡ ਦੇ ਮੈਦਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਡਿਜ਼ਾਈਨ ਕਰਨਾ

ਵੈਨਕੂਵਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਮਾਵੇਸ਼ੀ ਖੇਡ ਦੇ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਦੇ ਡਿਜ਼ਾਈਨ ਨੂੰ ਆਕਾਰ ਦੇਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਕਰੋ

ਵੈਨਕੂਵਰ ਵਿੱਚ 150 ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਖੇਡ ਦੇ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਹਨ। ਅਸੀਂ ਅੱਜ ਦੀ ਸਮਾਵੇਸ਼ੀ ਖੇਡ ਦੀ ਸਮਝ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਬਣਾਏ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰੋਜੈਕਟ ਇਹ ਯਕੀਨੀ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਕਰੇਗਾ ਕਿ ਸਾਡੇ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਬਣਾਏ ਗਏ ਖੇਡ ਦੇ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਸਾਰੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ, ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਦੇਖਭਾਲ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਵਧੀਆ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ।

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ

31 ਮਈ, 2026 ਤੱਕ ਸਾਡੇ ਆਨਲਾਈਨ ਸਰਵੇਖਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਾਗ ਲਓ ।

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣਾ ਸੁਝਾਅ ਸਾਂਝਾ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ , 31 ਮਈ, 2026 ਤੱਕ 3-1-1 'ਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਕਰੋ। ਇੱਕ ਗਾਹਕ ਸੇਵਾ ਏਜੰਟ ਸਰਵੇਖਣ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਦੁਭਾਸ਼ੀਏ ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜੇਗੀ।

Diseño de parques infantiles inclusivos

Ayúdanos a diseñar parques infantiles inclusivos en Vancouver

Vancouver cuenta con más de 150 parques infantiles. Muchos de ellos fueron construidos antes de que existiera la concepción actual del juego inclusivo. Este proyecto contribuirá a garantizar que los parques infantiles que construyamos sean adecuados para todos los niños, las familias y los cuidadores.

Informacion en español

Responde nuestra encuesta en línea a más tardar el 31 de mayo de 2026.

Para compartir tus comentarios en español, llama al 3-1-1 a más tardar el 31 de mayo de 2026. Un agente de atención al cliente te pondrá en contacto con un intérprete para ayudarte a completar la encuesta.

Pagdidisenyo ng mga Inklusibong Palaruan

Tumulong sa Paghubog ng Disenyo ng Inklusibong Palaruan sa Vancouver

Ang Vancouver ay may mahigit 150 palaruan. Marami sa mga ito ang naitayo namin bago pa man ang kasalukuyang pag-unawa sa inklusibong paglalaro. Ang proyektong ito ay makakatulong upang matiyak na ang mga palaruan na aming itinatayo ay magiging maayos para sa lahat ng mga bata, pamilya, at tagapag-alaga.

Impormasyon sa Tagalog

Sagutan ang aming online survey bago ang Mayo 31, 2026.

Para ibahagi ang iyong input sa Tagalog, tumawag sa 3-1-1 bago ang Mayo 31, 2026. Ikokonekta ka ng isang ahente ng Customer Service sa isang interpreter upang matulungan kang makumpleto ang survey.

Thiết kế Các Sân Chơi Hòa nhập

Hãy Giúp Định Hình Thiết Kế Sân Chơi Hòa nhập tại Vancouver

Vancouver có hơn 150 sân chơi. Chúng tôi đã xây dựng nhiều sân chơi trước khi có được sự hiểu biết như ngày nay về chơi đùa hòa nhập. Dự án này sẽ giúp bảo đảm rằng các sân chơi chúng tôi xây dựng hoạt động tốt cho tất cả trẻ em, gia đình và người chăm sóc.

Thông tin bằng Tiếng Việt

Điền bản khảo sát trực tuyến của chúng tôi trước ngày 31 tháng 5 năm 2026.

Để chia sẻ ý kiến của quý vị bằng Tiếng Việt, hãy gọi 3-1-1 trước ngày 31 tháng 5 năm 2026. Một Nhân viên Dịch vụ Khách hàng sẽ kết nối quý vị với một phiên dịch viên để giúp quý vị hoàn thành khảo sát.