Dutch municipalities lack inclusive playgrounds for children with disabilities

Research from the SamenSpeelFonds reveals that over 40 percent of Dutch municipalities lack inclusive playgrounds where children with and without disabilities can play together. While 200 municipalities have successfully implemented at least one such location, nine out of ten existing playgrounds in the Netherlands remain insufficiently adapted for children with disabilities.

In the Lekstroom region, only IJsselstein currently offers an inclusive playground, such as the Kloosterplantsoen playground. Nearby municipalities, including Nieuwegein, Houten, and Lopik, still lack these facilities. Organizations such as Jantje Beton and Stichting het Gehandicapte Kind are calling on all municipalities to ensure every community has at least one inclusive play area.

Experts note that relatively simple modifications—including accessible paths, wheelchair-accessible equipment, and sufficient maneuvering space—significantly increase participation. Data shows that at 93 percent of adapted playgrounds, visitor numbers increase, and at 70 percent, children with and without disabilities play together more frequently, fostering essential social development and friendships.