Location
Wauka Mountain
Elementary School
A PLAYGROUND FOR KIDS WITH
all abilities!
inclusive
playground
location
WHY WAUKA?
Wauka Mountain is the first of many! Did you know that Wauka Mountain will be the first public elementary school in Hall County to have an inclusive playground? The good news is that just because it’s the first, doesn’t mean it will be the last for Hall County elementary schools!
FEATURES WE LOVE ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND
A ROLL-ON MERRY-GO-ROUND
is fully wheelchair accessible and allows kids of all abilities to interact in a themed environment. It can be turned from the inside or outside, allowing everyone to participate in the fun.
What are we most excited about?
Our favorite part about the playground is the maze. Our maze has 13 customizable panels which will feature the Braille alphabet, American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet and biographies of Helen Keller and Louis Braille. An additional panel will share the story of Paralympic gold medalist Matt Stutzman, known as “The Armless Archer,” who shoots arrows with his feet. Wauka Mountain offers archery to its students so we wanted to showcase Stutzman’s story.
The maze has a rubber surface foundation and is wide enough for a child in a wheelchair or mobility aid to weave in and out of the maze. We love how the maze allows us to tie in the educational piece of our mission.
shaded rest & play area
Placing a Symbol Communication Sign at the entrance to a play area ensures that everyone can express themselves! The graphics are helpful to those with visual processing challenges. Additionally, symbols are placed on a black background to increase legibility for those with visual impairments. The communication sign is the perfect way for non-verbal kids to communicate their needs while playing with their peers.
no-transfer swing
The We-Go-Swing® is a revolutionary step forward in inclusive play experiences. Designed to be integrated into the playground setting with no need to transfer, this swing lets kids of all abilities play together and experience the thrill of swinging.
Did you know...
we specifically chose to use high contrast colors throughout the playground because they are helpful for children who are blind or have low vision.
WHAT ARE WE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
Sensory play is any activity that stimulates a child’s senses. Through sensory play, children develop behaviors based on what they touch, see, hear, taste, smell, and how they move and position their bodies in space. Sensory-rich playgrounds allow children of all ages and abilities to integrate and develop their senses. The more they play, the more they develop skills necessary to engage, change, and impact the world around them.
The rubber surfacing allows children and adults who use a wheelchair or mobility aid to play on the playground.
WHAT ARE WE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
Kids of all abilities can experience the thrill of flying with ZipKrooz®! The molded bucket seat with lock-in-place harness provides stability and security for kids with limited core strength. Pairing the ZipKrooz with an additional bay ensures a truly inclusive play experience where kids of all abilities can play side-by-side.
inclusive spinner
The high-backed OmniSpin® Spinner offers children of all abilities valuable vestibular sensory stimulation and encourages interactive play. The OmniSpin has transfer points from wheelchair or walker.
