The Disabilities Discrimination ACT (DDA)

"All children do not need access play in the same way but they are all fundamentally entitled to go out to play".
Developing Accessible Play Space – A good Practice Guide, Published by the Office of the Deputy Prime minister, Crown Copy write.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom which makes it unlawful for any service provider to discriminate against people with disabilities.The service provider being the responsible party for the childrens playground.

Under the 2004 Part 3 amendment, Education is no longer exempt from the act. Schools now have to comply with the DDA.See Developing Accessible Play Space – A Good Practice Guide for assistance on how to be DDA compliant and create an inclusive play area for children. From 2004 service providers have had to make reasonable adjustments to physical features to overcome physical barriers to access for disabled people.

Playforce will be able to advise on accessibility, positioning of playground equipment and other physical features which are considered as ‘reasonable adjustments’.

Examples of reasonable steps:

• Consideration of the play area layout. Not making it difficult for wheel chair users to navigate around items of playground equipment to allow easier access through the play space may be a reasonable adjustment.
• Providing an appropriate member of staff to supervise children in the play area. This may be of particular benefit to disabled children.

For more information or help on how to make your playground DDA compliant, please get in contact with us by phone on 01225 782881 or by completing our online form.