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When wishing to sell and build public children's playgrounds in Germany, it is essential to take into account existing regulations, as they are strictly enforced by officials. Also, local residents and users of playgrounds there do not hesitate to complain about the lack of adaptation of public playground equipment to the needs of the disabled. They are threatened with heavy fines and the need to adjust the playground. We know how difficult it can be to build a playground in Germany, which is why this text was created. From this article you will learn what are the laws and standards in Germany, providing support for people with disabilities. We will try to bring you closer to these issues to help you avoid mistakes in the German market.
Germany sets new standards for building playgrounds for children with disabilities
In Germany, as in many other Western European countries, issues of access to public spaces and ensuring equal opportunities for people with disabilities are prioritized. This includes infrastructure for the youngest. In particular, public playgrounds are places where children develop their social, physical and cognitive skills while integrating with their peers. Children with disabilities, including those with limited mobility or sensory difficulties, often face numerous barriers to using these spaces. In many countries, there is growing public awareness of the need to create inclusive playgrounds that are fully accessible to children with disabilities. However, where this awareness is insufficient, legislation is stepping in.
Laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities in Germany
Issues of access to public spaces, including playgrounds, are regulated by a number of laws designed to ensure full inclusion of people with disabilities. Among the most important pieces of legislation in this area are:
Law on Integration of Persons with Disabilities
In its full version: Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz, BGG came into force in Germany in 2002. It represents an important piece of legislation on the rights of people with disabilities. The main goals of the law are to ensure equality for people with disabilities in various aspects of society and to eliminate barriers that may impede their full participation in public and social life. The law addresses many areas, including public spaces, transportation, education, employment and access to services.
The main thrust of the law:
- Prohibition of discrimination - the law stipulates that in Germany, people with disabilities cannot be discriminated against in any area of public life. This includes, for example, access to public spaces, transportation, public buildings and information
- Accessibility of public spaces - according to the law, public spaces, including playgrounds, must be adapted to the needs of people with different types of disabilities. This includes providing easy access to these spaces, including ramps, wide passageways or devices to facilitate the use of these spaces
- Equality of opportunity - the law also aims to ensure equality of opportunity in access to various services, including educational, health and cultural services. So in the context of playgrounds, this means that children with disabilities must be able to participate in play alongside children without disabilities,
- Social integration - the law focuses on integration and support for people with disabilities in community life. Thus, it helps create spaces that allow children with different needs to play, learn and interact together
In practice, this means that public playgrounds in Germany must be designed so that children with different types of disabilities (e.g., motor, sensory or intellectual) can use them on an equal footing with non-disabled children. This requires, among other things, adapting surfaces to accommodate wheelchairs, as well as introducing equipment tailored to the needs of children with sensory problems.
Statutory support for people with disabilities in Germany
The Law on Adaptation of Public Spaces to the Needs of Persons with Disabilities (known in Germany as Barrierefreie Bauvorschriften), also enacted in 2022, regulates the design and construction of public spaces, including playgrounds, buildings and other public facilities in a way that ensures accessibility for people with disabilities. It was introduced as part of a broader approach to creating sustainable, inclusive spaces that take into account the needs of different social groups, including people with limited mobility.
Key Guidelines of the Act:
- Accessibility of buildings and public spaces: The law requires designers, architects and developers to ensure that buildings and public spaces are accessible to people with various types of disabilities. This applies to both new buildings and upgrades to existing facilities
- Design in accordance with the needs of people with disabilities: Under this law, construction designs must include features such as ramps, wide doors, ramps, handicap-accessible toilets, and appropriate signage for people with visual problems
- Adaptation of public spaces: This includes outdoor spaces such as playgrounds, parks and sidewalks. Playground equipment should be adapted to children with disabilities, and the area around the equipment should be level, with no obstacles that could impede the movement of wheelchairs
- Minimum design requirements: The law indicates the minimum requirements that must be met for a space to be considered adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. This includes, among other things, provisions for the width of passageways, the type of pavement, tactile or acoustic signage, and the availability of information in formats adapted to people with different types of disabilities
European standards EN 1176 and EN 1177
They are European standards for the safety and design of playground equipment, also addressing accessibility for children with disabilities
DIN 18034 standard
" The standard for playgrounds and outdoor gyms" (German: DIN 18034) was revised 2021. It requires that the design of new playgrounds take into account the needs of children with various disabilities, such as mobility limited by wheelchairs or other assistive devices. The goal of these regulations is to enable all children - regardless of their physical abilities - to use such spaces. According to the new guidelines, every newly built or upgraded public playground should have at least one piece of equipment designed for children with disabilities. This is part of an overall policy to make public spaces more accessible.
This standard has become mandatory for new playgrounds as of 2021, but there is also a recommendation to bring older playgrounds into compliance if they are undergoing modernization, if possible. Adapting spaces to meet the needs of children with disabilities includes not only play equipment, but also paths, surfaces and other infrastructure elements that ensure accessibility and safety.
Regulations on the accessibility of playgrounds
A playground that is to be accessible to children with disabilities must meet certain design and equipment requirements. German regulations place great emphasis on creating a space adapted to the various needs of children. Among the main requirements that should be met are:
Accessibility for children in wheelchairs
Playground equipment must be designed so that children in wheelchairs can use it. This means, among other things, providing ramps that allow access to individual pieces of equipment. Also, the surface of the playground should be level and easy to traverse for children with limited mobility. Sand and gravel are a no-go in this case, and grass can be problematic as well. To make the playground fully integrate children with disabilities and their non-disabled peers, it is worth opting for a rubber safety surface. It is rigid and level enough to easily support a wheelchair, while also providing excellent shock absorption for falls.
Sensory devices
Children with developmental disabilities, such as autism, may have difficulty perceiving visual or auditory stimuli. That's why a playground should be equipped with equipment that engages the senses, such as bells, items to touch, or devices that make sounds at different frequencies. Devices such as a sand and water factory are great here, allowing to stimulate different senses in a gentle way
Security
The equipment must be designed in accordance with safety standards such as EN 1176 and EN 1177. This means that they must have adequate guards and safety features so that children with disabilities can play safely. At the same time, they should be accessible enough to make it as easy as possible for a child to enjoy the attractions as independently as possible. This does a lot for a young person's self-confidence.
Rest zones
In inclusive playgrounds not only for children with disabilities, areas that allow for rest are also important. Such areas allow children with more limited physical endurance to relax, and also provide space for parents and caregivers. It is good for such a rest and relaxation area to be sheltered from the sun. A playground shade works great here.
Challenges and examples of good practice
Although regulations in Germany provide a number of solutions to improve the accessibility of playgrounds, numerous challenges remain. One is the insufficient number of suitable playgrounds in smaller towns and rural areas. In large cities such as Berlin and Munich, well-adapted spaces can be found, but in other parts of the country the availability of such playgrounds is limited.
On the other hand, Germany boasts many examples of good practice. The "Inklusiver Spielplatz"(Inklusive OT Ohmstraβe) in Cologne - a playground designed for children with various disabilities - can be considered a model. It features special equipment that allows children in wheelchairs to play, as well as spaces designed to integrate children with autism and other sensory difficulties.
Where to buy handicap equipment for a public playground?
Understanding the needs of the market and responding to inquiries from its customers, TRB Group has developed a range of equipment for inclusive playgrounds. In the offer for inclusive playground you will find:
- swing seat for people with disabilities - Designed to meet the needs of children with special needs. It is deeper, with solid support and a 5-point safety belt
- sand and water factory - An entire system of sand and water play equipment. The ability to adjust the height of the suspension and the length of the legs allows the device to fit the needs of children with physical disabilities. In addition, it's great fun for children on the autism spectrum - they can focus their senses on different fractions, structures, sounds. This is an attractive sensory toy for the playground, which is also great for integrating non-disabled children
- deaf phone - Voice contact using two tubes and a pipe dug into the ground. Sound transmitted in a simple but effective way. A sensory toy that perfectly integrates children of different levels of ability with each other
- rods, handrails, handholds - are the perfect complement and support for people with disabilities when moving around the playground, using equipment, ramps
Equipment typically for the playground can be supplemented with a series of "Outdoor Fitness and Sports Equipment." Outdoor fitness items for the disabled are sure to gain the interest of older children and teenagers. We particularly recommend:
Social integration of children with disabilities - a trend not only in Germany
The accessibility of playgrounds for children with disabilities is one of the elements that testify to an inclusive society. In Germany, thanks to existing legislation and a growing awareness of the expectations of children with disabilities, more and more playgrounds are becoming spaces adapted to their needs. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work ahead for societies to fully ensure accessibility and equal play opportunities for all children. Therefore, when designing or building a playground, do not forget about children with special needs. Not just because the regulations say so. Simply put, it's the right thing to do.
