Play for All: Building Health Equity Through Inclusion

Childhood is often defined by moments of play —  going down a slide, hanging from monkey bars, the sound of laughter during a game of tag. For many kids, these are everyday memories. But for children with disabilities, those same moments are often out of reach. 

Traditional playgrounds often fail to accommodate the diverse needs of disabled youth, which reinforces health inequities by limiting access to physical activity, peer connection, and emotional well-being.  

Growing up, my elementary school didn’t have an inclusive playground, which often meant I couldn’t play with my classmates. While I was fortunate to participate in accessible after-school activities that provided me with exercise and social interaction, this was not the case for many of my disabled peers. It’s a quiet kind of exclusion. No one says “you can’t play,” but the message is there, built into the design or rather, the lack of it. 

That’s why I chose to focus my UCLA Health Equity Challenge proposal on bringing inclusive, sensory-friendly play equipment to Venice Hope Park — the only park serving the community surrounding California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) and its Hope Street Margolis Family Center (Hope Street). According to their 2024 Head Start Program report, approximately 120 children, comprising 25% of its cohort, have disabilities or other functional challenges. Additionally, as noted in Hope Street’s 2023 Impact Report, in the community, more than one-third of families with children under five live below the federal poverty line, and over 40% rely on public assistance.  

For families facing these challenges, accessible recreation isn’t just hard to find — it’s often never even considered. Consequently, when new playgrounds are built, the question we must ask is: Who are they really for? 

“By creating a playground that is inclusive, we’re not just adding equipment that builds a foundation for good health, we’re shifting expectations. We’re creating a model that can be replicated in other communities. And we’re making a statement: all children, regardless of ability or background, deserve access to spaces where they can belong.“

This proposal is about creating a space that welcomes everyone. By transforming Venice Hope Park into a model of inclusive play, the project aims to improve the physical, social, and emotional well-being of not only disabled children, but children of all abilities. This means going beyond compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to create a space rooted in universal design so that all children have a fair chance to play, grow, and connect. 

Led by CHMC and Hope Street as the primary project partner, the proposal also leverages in-kind contributions from Inclusion Matters by Shane’s Inspiration and the Social District. Together, these partnerships will ensure the playground is not only inclusive in its design, but in its process. 

A key project component is that families will be invited to participate in “Play for All Design Days” to shape the playground design. There will also be an Accessible Build Day, where community members can decorate the playground post equipment installation, fostering a space that is co-created by its users. We hope to recruit 7–10 Community Ambassadors — caregivers, youth (including those with disabilities), educators, and advocates — who will serve as neighborhood liaisons, support inclusive events, and maintain a strong local presence. 

The equipment itself is designed to support a wide range of physical and sensory needs, helping to reduce health disparities among disabled children that stem from inaccessible environments. By offering opportunities for movement, sensory integration, and collaborative play, these features not only support developmental health —  they help create spaces where every child feels seen, supported, and able to participate. 

The power of an inclusive playground is best captured through stories like Dorian’s. Born with a rare genetic disorder and significant mobility challenges, Dorian struggled to connect with peers — until his family discovered an inclusive playground. When his parents found a space designed with him in mind, it changed everything. According to his dad: “It was amazing to have a space that was built with him in mind … him being able to interact and make friends. I always thought that would be a huge barrier for him.” 

Dorian’s story is a reminder of what’s possible when we design with intention, and who gets left behind when we don’t. Every parent or guardian deserves the joy of watching their child thrive in a community. Families like Dorian’s shouldn’t be surprised to find a space where their child belongs. And yet, that’s the reality for many families who have a loved one with a disability or other accessibility need. When inclusion happens, it often feels like the exception — something rare, even lucky. 

By creating a playground that is inclusive, we’re not just adding equipment that builds a foundation for good health, we’re shifting expectations. We’re creating a model that can be replicated in other communities. And we’re making a statement: all children, regardless of ability or background, deserve access to spaces where they can belong.