Term

Spring 2026

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MAEd

Facilitator(s)

Jennifer Carlson

Content Expert

Ariel Mansholt

Abstract

Meaningful play is essential for the well-being and development of children; however, both visible and invisible barriers continue to exclude many children with diverse needs from the opportunity to engage in meaningful play activities in their local communities. The purpose of this capstone project was to explore how community advocacy can be supported for more inclusive playground environments and to develop accessible resources to guide these efforts. Since World War II, growing awareness and commitment from communities has led to critical progress in the design of public playgrounds for children of all abilities to engage in meaningful participation in community play spaces. This capstone explores the question: How can community members advocate for playground environments that are accessible and inclusive for children of all abilities? A review of current literature highlights that intentional design, representation of diverse perspectives, collaborative advocacy, and informed policymaking play a critical role in shaping the inclusion, accessibility, and usability of playground environments. In response to these findings, a resource-based website, Pathways to Inclusive Playgrounds, was designed to address the identified gaps from the literature and was implemented to support existing community advocacy efforts. The website compiles research, practical tools, and policy guidance to help families and community members promote more equitable access to meaningful play opportunities for children of all abilities in public playground environments.

Project Type

Website Creation

Keywords

Social Justice, Special Education

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

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