The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges (The Center) seeks to install an accessible playground to serve children with physical challenges and their families. The arrival of COVID-19 made it apparent how few outdoor resources are available to youth with physical challenges. While their peers without physical challenges were spending time at playgrounds, skate parks and bike trails, families with youth with physical challenges were searching for places that were outdoors and accessible. For youth who may utilize wheelchairs, have restricted or limited mobility or have other physical challenges, having access to a playground in which they can play is often not an opportunity they are afforded. For instance, most playgrounds are located on grass, wood chips and/or dirt. Such land is not accessible for children in wheelchairs or with walkers and can even be difficult for children with balance challenges to traverse. Further, playgrounds often include components that are exclusionary for children with physical challenges, including stairs, inaccessible playscapes/equipment, and equipment that requires full movement to utilize properly. The Center seeks to install an accessible playground that can be enjoyed by all children regardless of ability. A place where all children can experience the joy of playground play together while being outside.

EVIDENCE

According to the Mayo Clinic, when one is outside, fresh air is constantly moving and dispersing COVID-19 droplets making it less likely to breathe in enough COVID-19 droplets to cause infection even if one has not been vaccinated. Further, Mayo Clinic sites seeking fun activities may be more important than ever as we cope with the challenges and changes COVID-19 has presented. The installation of an accessible playground will impact the physical and mental wellness of youth with physical challenges and their families throughout the Great Tulsa community as we continue to contend with a pandemic.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

This project will serve youth living with a physical challenges, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, scoliosis, balance/coordination impairments, degenerative diseases, seizure disorders, visual impairments and hearing impairments. These youth have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. With limited options for outdoor play and The Center closed to youth from March 2020 through August 2020, youth were isolated in their homes with limited interaction, engagement and communication with their peers resulting in isolation, negatively impacted mental health, and limited physical strength-training and exercise. An accessible playground will not only serve as a resource as we continue to contend with the pandemic but will serve to promote physical and mental wellness for this often excluded population for the long term.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by the installation of an accessible playground at The Center and, when possible, tracking the number of people using the playground, including children with physical challenges, their siblings and their friends. The playground will also be used for Youth Programming at The Center as a way of getting the children outside and moving promoting physical and mental wellness.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma