Shaping equitable play spaces for parents with disabilities: Occupational therapy’s role

Public parks and playgrounds are vital hubs for parent–child play, social inclusion, and community participation yet often remain inaccessible and unusable for individuals with disabilities (Lynch et al., 2020). Although research has supported the value of inclusive playgrounds, they are often not designed for adults with disabilities, creating barriers to engagement for parents and other caregivers with disabilities and their children (Dalpra, 2022; Jacob et al., 2017). Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) have a significant role in ensuring environmental accessibility in home settings but tend to be less involved in designing public spaces. Young et al. (2019) argued for the value of OTPs as part of the outdoor space interprofessional design team, citing OTPs’ knowledge of inclusion and development and skills in advocacy and education. This article discusses the Accessible Playgrounds for Parents with Disabilities Project at Through the Looking Glass (TLG) in Berkeley, California, highlighting the entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (ELOTD) capstone and ongoing professional work of Lena, first author, and Janae, second author. We discuss the process of modifying an environmental assessment tool, opportunities for community advocacy, and lessons learned.