Fair Play: A Qualitative Exploration of Visitor Behavior at PlayGrand Adventures All-Abilities Playground

Authors

  • Taylor D. Bunn Baylor University
  • Leanne Howell Baylor University
  • Lacy K. Crocker Papadakis Baylor University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2022.206

Keywords:

accessible, all-abilities playground, disability, inclusion

Abstract

People with disabilities in the United States have access to a fraction of engaging play experiences available to others due to playground design choices, minimal legal requirements, and societal acceptance of the status quo. PlayGrand Adventures, the first and largest all-abilities playground in North Texas, meets this need by providing engaging play opportunities for everyone. This qualitative case study explores and describes community engagement at PlayGrand Adventures, informed by principles of environmental reciprocity supported by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (1986) and Gibson’s Affordance Theory (1979). The researcher collected data on community perception and engagement via a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and playground observations. The study fills a gap in academic research on all-abilities playgrounds in the United States to increase awareness of the systemic underserving of people with disabilities in this country and provides a potential solution. The researcher offers initial recommendations for PlayGrand Adventures’ future development and implementation with implications for replication in other cities.

Author Biographies

Taylor D. Bunn, Baylor University

Taylor D. Bunn is an inaugural candidate of Baylor University's EdD Online in Learning and Organizational Change. She is a proud student ambassador and member of Baylor's chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. Her research focuses on community engagement at an all-abilities playground with an emphasis on creating equitable play opportunities for people with disabilities.

Leanne Howell, Baylor University

Lecturer, Department of Curriculum and Instruction; EdD advisor

Lacy K. Crocker Papadakis, Baylor University

Writing Center Coordinator

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Published

2022-05-09

How to Cite

Bunn, T. D., Howell, L., & Crocker Papadakis, L. K. (2022). Fair Play: A Qualitative Exploration of Visitor Behavior at PlayGrand Adventures All-Abilities Playground. Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 7(2), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2022.206

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2022): EdD Student Research and Discoveries

Section

Themed - Student Research

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