Beyond ADA

Playgrounds for Every Kid

Built by KYA, these inclusive playgrounds foster belonging and community by allowing children of all abilities to play together. They promote empathy, cooperation and confidence while supporting physical, cognitive and social development. For families and caregivers, they offer a welcoming space where everyone—siblings, friends and neighbors—can play without barriers.

GET INVOLVED

ADA Isn’t Enough

While ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance provides a critical baseline for ensuring access for individuals with disabilities, inclusivity in playground design extends beyond these requirements. ADA standards may mandate certain physical accessibility features like ramps or transfer points, but don’t necessarily address the full spectrum of physical, sensory and social needs that children might have. Inclusivity in playgrounds means designing spaces that create meaningful play experiences for every child, regardless of physical, cognitive or sensory challenges.

  • ADA Compliant Playground

    Key Features:

    Accessible pathways: Pathways connecting all play elements and facilities. 

    Ground-level entry: Play elements with easy access, like ground-level swings and slides. 

    Accessible surfacing: Compliant surfacing materials that are accessible for wheelchair users and other mobility devices. 

  • All Abilities Playground

    Key Features:

    ADA-compliant features: Ensuring physical accessibility for all. 

    Sensory elements: Incorporating sensory panels, sensory walls and quiet areas to cater to children with sensory processing needs. 

    Diverse play equipment: Including rolling slides, in-line rope swings and outdoor music instruments to engage different interests and abilities. 

    Interactive play units: Encouraging social interaction and collaboration among children of varying abilities. 

WHY KYA?

  • Experts in Inclusive Playground Construction

  • Upgrade or Build from Scratch

  • Fast, Reliable Execution

  • Easy to Work With - from Planning to Ribbon Cutting

Social spaces where children can connect, collaborate and build friendships, fostering an environment of social inclusion. KYA's network of playground manufacturers can provide recommendations and ways to create social spaces.

Social spaces where children can connect, collaborate and build friendships, fostering an environment of social inclusion. KYA's network of playground manufacturers can provide recommendations and ways to create social spaces.

Accessible pathways and surfacing ensure ease of movement throughout the playground, with smooth surfaces for wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids.

Accessible pathways and surfacing ensure ease of movement throughout the playground, with smooth surfaces for wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids.

Diverse play opportunities provide a range of equipment to engage children of all ability levels. KYA's network of playground manufacturers can provide recommendations and top-of-the-line inclusive equipment.

Diverse play opportunities provide a range of equipment to engage children of all ability levels. KYA's network of playground manufacturers can provide recommendations and top-of-the-line inclusive equipment.

Sensory play areas stimulate senses through tactile, auditory, and visual play, benefiting children with autism or sensory processing disorders.

Sensory play areas stimulate senses through tactile, auditory, and visual play, benefiting children with autism or sensory processing disorders.

Sensory play areas stimulate senses through tactile, auditory, and visual play, benefiting children with autism or sensory processing disorders.

Sensory play areas stimulate senses through tactile, auditory, and visual play, benefiting children with autism or sensory processing disorders.

Diverse play opportunities provide a range of equipment to engage children of all ability levels.

Diverse play opportunities provide a range of equipment to engage children of all ability levels.

Inclusive designs also help build confidence and physical, cognitive and social skills in children with disabilities by providing appropriate challenges and opportunities for growth. KYA's team of experts can help guide you to pick the best equipment

Inclusive designs also help build confidence and physical, cognitive and social skills in children with disabilities by providing appropriate challenges and opportunities for growth. KYA's team of experts can help guide you to pick the best equipment and activities for your park's needs.

See Our Work in Action

  • Sweet Shade Park

    Location: Irvine, CA

    The City of Irvine envisioned a universally accessible park to complement the Disability Community Center across the street. KYA installed galactic-themed landscaping with inclusive surfacing, adaptive play gear, sensory garden, and ADA restrooms—designed for all abilities, including features for visually impaired visitors.

    Completed November 2024.

  • Jackson Elementary School

    Location: El Dorado Hills, CA

    Jackson Elementary School needed to update its playground to be inclusive for all the children at the school. KYA came in and assisted with the installation of the new equipment and PIP surfacing.

    Completed October 2023.

  • Heather Park

    Location: Seal Beach, CA

    KYA guided the city to renovate Heather Park and update it with new Inclusive play equipment. The new mini playhouse structure, swing et and other spaces enhance the safety and accessibility for all who play there.

    Completed October 2024.

 We’ll get back to you quickly.
KYA makes the process fast, collaborative, and fully inclusive from day one.