Understanding Access and Universal Design in Parks and Playgrounds – 3 hours

This popular and practical access course is ideal for people who have responsibility for reviewing, planning, designing, managing or maintaining parks and playgrounds, as well as those who are required to provide advice to others regarding access issues in these areas.

These issues can incorporate those experienced by people with disabilities and older adults as well as others with access challenges. This includes users of wheelchairs, scooters and prams. In addition, with more grandparents taking on childcare roles, park users with disabilities such as vision and hearing impairments and cognitive issues are also on the rise. Of course, importantly, children with disabilities want to participate, play and interact in outdoor environments, not just sit and watch others enjoy these experiences.

The course provides a framework for participants to address access issues in parks and playgrounds and covers the essential key components of access including:

• Overview of disability access issues

• Overview of relevant State and Federal legislation and Standards

• Identification of key access issues, barriers and solutions

• Development and use of an Access Checklist