Let's Play Fair

Inaccessible playgrounds are stopping too many disabled children from having fun and friendship. All because playgrounds are not designed with their needs in mind.

• 49% of families with disabled children face accessibility problems with their local playground.
• 10% parents of disabled children said their child got hurt using inaccessible equipment.

We are calling for local authorities to work with families to create inclusive playgrounds. So that every disabled child can play.

Playground Accessibility Map

In the summer of 2023, we launched The Play Investigation. 1,083 Scope campaigners visited 1,004 local playgrounds. They answered some questions to see how accessible and inclusive the playground was for disabled children.

We’ve used the results to create the Playground Accessibility Map.

Our focus is on supporting you to make your local playgrounds more inclusive. You can get involved, help raise awareness and influence your local authority.

In 2023, we asked Scope campaigners to find out how inclusive their local playground is by completing a Play Investigation survey. Together, you completed over 1,000 Play Investigations.

We're compiling this information into a resource that anyone can use to discover how playgrounds around the country stack up. We’ll post the results on our website in 2024.

Sound interesting?

Use our latest guidance to influence your local decision-makers and councillors and make lasting change. So, we have gathered expertise from people who have successfully campaigned to make their playground more inclusive and accessible.

Our guidance includes topics like:

• what makes a playground accessible
• how to engage with your local authority
• where to find funding for inclusive playgrounds
• and much more

Read our guide to campaigning for inclusive playgrounds.

Through research like 'Our Live Our Journey'. Parents tell us that the playgrounds they use are not designed for disabled children. This creates barriers for their child.

Barriers like:

• lack of inclusive and accessible playground equipment
• inaccessible pathways and tight spaces
• challenging and uneven terrain

This limits choice and their child’s right to play. It’s unjust and unfair.

Play is fundamental to a child’s development and wellbeing, and playgrounds help this. There are over 1 million disabled children in the UK.

Through play a child can:

• learn
• explore
• stay active
• make friends and socialise

Not being able to access these play spaces can increase exclusion and isolation.

We want to see:

• accessible equipment
• sensory opportunities
• appropriate surfaces and fences

These changes make play fun, safe and open to all children.

Over 31,236 of you signed our open letter in England and Wales. You called for government to introduce a multi-million pound inclusive playgrounds fund. Helping to make play fair. We delivered this to Government departments in England and Wales in November 2022.

Over 500 of you met, phoned or emailed your local representative. Explaining why it matters that your local politician supports inclusive playgrounds. We also worked with some parents to meet their MP at their local playgrounds to illustrate the issue.

Your stories reached millions through high-profile news outlets like:

• the BBC
• Metro
• and iNews

We commissioned 3 disabled artists to develop illustrations of inclusive playgrounds. They took inspiration from ideas shared by families of disabled children. These helped bring to life what inclusive playgrounds could mean. We shared these illustrations with:

• the Minister for Disabled people at the Conservative party conference
• in meetings with civil servants
• and on social media

We help disabled children and their families get support when they need it. We have lots of advice for families with disabled children.

If you have a disabled child, we are here for you. We can help you navigate an overwhelming, complex system so you feel less alone.

Free family support services.