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I joined a group of designers from Landscape Structures and educators to
observe children with disabilities playing on an EVOS structure. Landscape
Structure, a leading manufacturer of commercial playground equipment, has
been saying that EVOS meets ADA since its creative inception. However, there
have been many sceptics.
After spending 3 hours watching children play on an EVOS structure in Florida, I
have no doubt about it, as long as the EVOS structure is placed on the proper
surfacing it is incredibly accessible. I still think it is important to add swings next
to your EVOS structure and fence the entire playground to increase the
different types of disabilities you can accommodate.
According to Landscape Structures (LSI) The Evos™ playsystem has quickly
become their most popular play structure. Evos attracts kids ages 5 to 12+ with
its unique appearance and challenging play experiences.
observe children with disabilities playing on an EVOS structure. Landscape
Structure, a leading manufacturer of commercial playground equipment, has
been saying that EVOS meets ADA since its creative inception. However, there
have been many sceptics.
After spending 3 hours watching children play on an EVOS structure in Florida, I
have no doubt about it, as long as the EVOS structure is placed on the proper
surfacing it is incredibly accessible. I still think it is important to add swings next
to your EVOS structure and fence the entire playground to increase the
different types of disabilities you can accommodate.
According to Landscape Structures (LSI) The Evos™ playsystem has quickly
become their most popular play structure. Evos attracts kids ages 5 to 12+ with
its unique appearance and challenging play experiences.
- With no prescribed entry points or exits kids can flex their mental and
physical muscles.
- It is designed to grow with a child's development, meaning that any child
regardless of their ability can find somewhere to play on the structure and
once they grasp a skill, can move to another more challenging skill.
- With the appropriate surfacing, all Evos play components are 100 percent
ground-level accessible. This means all of the play starts at the ground
and not at the top of a ladder. So if a child cannot climb, they are still in
the middle of the play.
- More than 25 components allows you to create endless configurations so
you can build a perfect accessible playground for the children who will be
playing on your playground.
The Gyro Twister Spinner
provides children with vestibular
motion. It can be done socially
as you see above or with one
child learning where their body is
in space
provides children with vestibular
motion. It can be done socially
as you see above or with one
child learning where their body is
in space
The Chatter Noodle allows
the playground. It is a very
clear sound. The shape
makes it very accessible. A
wheelchair can pull right up
to it. It you are a little
unsteady on your feet, it is
easy to grab on to. I
witnessed children who are
blind hug the blue part and
just listen to the vibrations.
the playground. It is a very
clear sound. The shape
makes it very accessible. A
wheelchair can pull right up
to it. It you are a little
unsteady on your feet, it is
easy to grab on to. I
witnessed children who are
blind hug the blue part and
just listen to the vibrations.
The Evos Cycler can be played
with from either side. Although
you need to have long arms to
play with it like the girl above.
However, a child in a wheelchair
can ride up to it.
with from either side. Although
you need to have long arms to
play with it like the girl above.
However, a child in a wheelchair
can ride up to it.
The Ring Tangler is a great climber.
There are many different ways to climb
across. Standing by the climber, I was
able to watch the problem solving go on
in children's heads as they learned to
cross the climber. At first they needed
adult hands, but by the end many of
them were doing it by themselves. Some
of the children with less coordination
where thrilled to climb the first two rungs.
There are many different ways to climb
across. Standing by the climber, I was
able to watch the problem solving go on
in children's heads as they learned to
cross the climber. At first they needed
adult hands, but by the end many of
them were doing it by themselves. Some
of the children with less coordination
where thrilled to climb the first two rungs.
The Wobble Pods are
wonderful for children
working on their
balance. They can start
sitting on it and just
gently moving. Then
they can stand up as
they get more
comfortable. I was
amazed at how
important the Wobble
Pods were to the play of
children with multiple
disabilities.
wonderful for children
working on their
balance. They can start
sitting on it and just
gently moving. Then
they can stand up as
they get more
comfortable. I was
amazed at how
important the Wobble
Pods were to the play of
children with multiple
disabilities.
You need to add traditional
panels to your EVOS system or
other ground level activities to
ensure that children who
cannot get out of their
wheelchair have enough to do.
panels to your EVOS system or
other ground level activities to
ensure that children who
cannot get out of their
wheelchair have enough to do.
While I watched, I saw children who
typically use a wheelchair, but have the
ability to crawl, crawling in and out of
ball. ball.
typically use a wheelchair, but have the
ability to crawl, crawling in and out of
ball. ball.
By adding WEEVOS along side your EVOS system you
guarantee that children at all developmental levels can
play together. This WEEVOS design adds a slide
component, a musical sensory panel, and in the back a
very simple piece of equipment to provide a low level of
vestibular motion. The bridge bounces which works on
Proprioception skills.
guarantee that children at all developmental levels can
play together. This WEEVOS design adds a slide
component, a musical sensory panel, and in the back a
very simple piece of equipment to provide a low level of
vestibular motion. The bridge bounces which works on
Proprioception skills.
Landscape Structures, Inc. did not pay for the
endorsement of their product. These are the opinions
of Mara Kaplan and Let Kids Play.
If EVOS is placed on Wood Fiber as you see in some
of the pictures, EVOS is no longer truly accessible. It
will meet ADA. But only synthetic surfacing will make it
accessible for all.
endorsement of their product. These are the opinions
of Mara Kaplan and Let Kids Play.
If EVOS is placed on Wood Fiber as you see in some
of the pictures, EVOS is no longer truly accessible. It
will meet ADA. But only synthetic surfacing will make it
accessible for all.
A Playground Review by Mara Kaplan
Structures a Different Type of
Accessibility
Accessibility
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