Going beyond the standards

A bylined article on accessibility by Playworld Systems' Ian Proud and Mara Kaplan of Let Kids Play! published in the March 2011 issue of Pennsylvania Borough News.

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the comprehensive civil rights law which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. In July 2010, President Obama commemorated the anniversary and also announced new Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations that include updated standards governing the construction and alteration of facilities covered by the ADA. Recreation facilities, including play areas, are among the types of facilities covered.

While there were no notable changes made to the play area guidelines between 2004 and 2010, entities will now be required to meet the requirements, and any complaints filed will be investigated by the DOJ. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the requirements is essential as municipalities consider playground development or renovation in the community.

Read the full article here.