A Behavioral Investigation of Preference for a Playground Sensory Maze

Universal design (UD) is an approach that acknowledges the diversity of an individual’s needs and aims to design products and indoor/outdoor environments that are useable by the majority of the population (Center for UD, 1997). UD for learning is a framework that provides teachers with guidance on how to support to children with diverse needs in the general education classroom with the goal to promote inclusion of all children. For playgrounds, UD means building playgrounds that are usable by a wide range of individuals, regardless of age, gender, size, race/ethnicity, culture, or ability. The current study explored UD in playground design and builds. Specifically, the overall impact of a sensory maze on children’s preference levels as measured by adult and child surveys, and observations. Three sources of data collection were obtained on the sensory maze’s effectiveness: adult surveys (N = 431), adult open-ended surveys (N = 366), child surveys (N = 1,182), and observations of the children playing on the playground (N = 21,763 intervals of 10 minutes). Study results demonstrate that the sensory maze is a favorite for children with sensory disabilities (i.e., sensory processing disorder, blind, visual impairment). Study findings suggest that the sensory maze may be a valuable piece of playground equipment on a community playground, be an asset to all individuals, and allow adults to participate in the play with their children. Designing playgrounds with playground equipment that is proven effective through rigorous research should be seen as central in park administration. Park administrators, who build universally designed playgrounds in their communities, will provide a play space that meets the needs of all community residents and allows them to play, engage in the outdoors, and meet other individuals which can lead to fruitful and rewarding peer relationships.