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Inclusive Play Policies: Disabled Children And Their Access To Dutch Playgrounds

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  • Rianne Van Melik
  • Nick Althuizen

Abstract

Despite the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, many cities are still struggling to facilitate inclusive playgrounds. This paper contributes to our understanding of the everyday landscapes of disabled childhood, by investigating the play‐policy of Dutch municipalities via a mixed‐methods approach. Our online survey reveals that 90 per cent have a play‐policy, although the length and content of these documents vary extensively, and accessibility and inclusive play are often lacking. Additionally, we focus on the play‐policy of two municipalities in the east of the Netherlands. Interviews with civil servants, play professionals and families with disabled children show that municipalities willingly respond to parents’ requests for playground changes. Though resulting in tailor‐made adjustments, this also configures disability as an individual problem. Parents and policy‐makers also highlight different expectations regarding playground adjustments and investments. The paper therefore calls for open communication to avoid disabled children being involuntarily absent in public space.

Suggested Citation

  • Rianne Van Melik & Nick Althuizen, 2022. "Inclusive Play Policies: Disabled Children And Their Access To Dutch Playgrounds," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 113(2), pages 117-130, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:tvecsg:v:113:y:2022:i:2:p:117-130
    DOI: 10.1111/tesg.12457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nancy Hansen & Chris Philo, 2007. "The Normality Of Doing Things Differently: Bodies, Spaces And Disability Geography," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 98(4), pages 493-506, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas Morgenthaler & Christina Schulze & Duncan Pentland & Helen Lynch, 2023. "Environmental Qualities That Enhance Outdoor Play in Community Playgrounds from the Perspective of Children with and without Disabilities: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-30, January.
    2. John H. McKendrick & Tracey Skelton & Rianne Van Melik, 2022. "Global Perspectives on the Absent Presence of Marginalised Children and Young People in the Public Realm," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 113(2), pages 113-116, April.
    3. Tracey Skelton, 2022. "Absent‐Presence Present‐Absence: Places, Spaces, Rights for Young People," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 113(2), pages 170-178, April.

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