Every Kid Deserves a Chance to Play: Mainz's Inclusive Playground
All-inclusive recreational spot for all ages and backgrounds - Interactive Playground for Everybody's Enjoyment
Hop on over to Mainz, near the football arena, and discover a playground built for inclusion! This gem was crafted through the "Piece of Luck" initiative by "Aktion Mensch" and various companies. It's a place where kids with and without disabilities can enjoy playing together — a dream come true! The equipment, nestled on a rubber surface instead of sand, caters to kids in wheelchairs too. Even the merry-go-round spins at ground level, ensuring wheelchair-bound children can join the fun without a hitch.
Insights
According to a 2023 study by "Aktion Mensch," just around 21% of playgrounds in Germany feature inclusivity, compared to 17.5% in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Building an inclusive playground typically costs 30-40% more than conventional playgrounds, reveals Uwe Lersch, a playground designer from Kompan, who helped construct the Mainz playground.
Germany: Taking It Slow on Inclusion
Although there are already more than 55 inclusive playgrounds across Germany, only a handful were built new, and the rest were refurbished. These playgrounds cater to the needs of everyone — they're fully accessible and easily reachable by car or public transport.
The disappointing truth is, Germany still lags behind in this area compared to some other countries. According to Lersch, some countries even mandate that playgrounds must be inclusive. Memorializing this initiative is the tiny but mighty Mathias Mester, a Paralympic medalist who serves as the ambassador of "Aktion Mensch." Mester shares his personal feelings of exclusion, and he wants to prevent similar situations for disabled children on inclusive playgrounds where they can join a team and realize that inclusivity is the norm.
Together We Play, and Learn
Metin, a 10-year-old boy in a wheelchair, echoes these sentiments. Being excluded from playground equipment isn't unheard of for him, as many setups are too high for his reach. Having a playground where he can play independently is a game-changer, he says.
In the spirit of fostering a more inclusive society, the community policy could emphasize the importance of vocational training, specifically in home-and-garden sectors, to facilitate lifestyle improvements for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to contribute and enjoy the comforts of home equally.
By aligning vocational training programs with the need for accessible home-and-garden solutions, we can ensure that every person, regardless of their physical abilities, has an equal opportunity to lead a fulfilling and independent lifestyle.
