Find Inclusive Playgrounds Around the World with Inclusion Matters

Family travel is a great way to introduce the clan to all the wonderful things the world has to offer, but when you’ve got little ones, sometimes all they want to do is to play, no matter where you are. But when children live with disabilities, finding a safe and positive place for them to play can be a bit tricky. Thanks to organizations like Inclusion Matters, it is possible to find an inclusive play space around the world.

Founders Scott Williams and Catherine Curry-Williams created Inclusive Playgrounds to honor the memory of their son, Shane, who passed away shortly after birth from spinal muscular atrophy. Knowing their son wouldn’t have been able to use the equipment at ordinary playgrounds, they set out to create spaces that would make it possible for children like Shane to experience the joy of playing.

After their first playground was built in Los Angeles in 2000, Inclusion Matters began building playgrounds around the world. Spaces are designed to offer physical play promoting movement, motor skill development, balance and body awareness. The playgrounds also seek to promote sensory processing and cause and effect learning, as well as creative play to promote language development, problem solving skills and social development.

With 75 playgrounds already built and many more in the planning stages across the globe, existing playgrounds are located across the United States and Canada, as well as in Israel, Mexico, Ecuador and Russia.