Inclusive Playground for The Gem Foundation

The Gem Playground, located near the living quarters on the campus of the Gem Village in Kakiri, Uganda is designed specifically to remove barriers children with disabilities face when attempting to play outdoors. The intention of this design is not to help the child with a disability fit into a standard play environment, but to create an environment that accommodates the needs of the child and encourages outdoor play.

Each element was specifically designed to meet the needs of the children. Walkways, accessible surfacing, equipment, circulation, and textural elements each contribute to the value of play. Play elements were designed to contribute to occupational and physical therapy, encouraging children to challenge themselves while providing opportunities for independent and social play. Some key features are a manipulative wall, water play area, sensory circuit, cozy hut, roller slide and a wheelchair spinner.