I am on the adaptive equipment isn't a toy side. Maybe it's because I work in the special needs world and that shit is expensive. If it's a park designed for all kids ramps, slides and chair swings are fair game. If it's an expensive piece of specialized equipment then nope.
Post by Kcthepouchh8r on Apr 17, 2015 9:31:37 GMT -5
It's not even the price of the equipment. You can explain to any older toddler/preschool age kid who understands language that those kind of swings were not made for all kids like a slide is. Not is it only not safe for them (but not the point) it's the only way kids in wheelchairs can use swings. Your kid should be aware stuff like that isn't a toy for them and what it intended use is...or really you just suck.
Woo hoo -- is it finally the day we get to tell each other what we think about their parenting?
Listen, since we all don't like in KC's land of Oz, many of us, myself included have never even seen a swing like that. Is it just a platform? Or does it have obvious places to attach a wheelchair? The latter is obvious -- a regular platform, not so much.
I would also assume the latter would be accompanied by some sort of signage explaining it's restricted use, no? Because if not, and it's just a platform, dude, six year olds are going to climb on that. Even the free range special snowflake with advanced language skills
LOL that if a school age kid is following through with their curiosity or adventure seeking or plain old testing limits and playing on adaptive equipment, that it's due to shitty parenting. I can tell them the rules until I'm blue in the face. The reality is that kids will do things they aren't supposed to when parents aren't looking. If my future 10 year old is playing on something they aren't supposed to, it may be because they are 10 years old, not because I suck.
Woo hoo -- is it finally the day we get to tell each other what we think about their parenting?
Listen, since we all don't like in KC's land of Oz, many of us, myself included have never even seen a swing like that. Is it just a platform? Or does it have obvious places to attach a wheelchair? The latter is obvious -- a regular platform, not so much.
I would also assume the latter would be accompanied by some sort of signage explaining it's restricted use, no? Because if not, and it's just a platform, dude, six year olds are going to climb on that. Even the free range special snowflake with advanced language skills
I do have to wonder if she is backtracking on which swing she meant after it started to blow up. I'm sure those wheelchair swings are out there, but how big of a problem is this really?
Never seen either of those swings. Never heard of free range kid. Definitely don't think a kid is an asshole (wtf?) because they pout when something isn't "fair".
If I was at the park by ourselves and it wasn't posted otherwise, I would let my kid play on those if she wanted. A two year old isn't breaking either of those things. I don't think I could break either of those swings.
I have never seen one of these in person, so I have no idea what it's like or how breakable it is, etc. I have no issue telling my kids, regardless of the age, not to play with something.
Would this swing be similar to the things that can help a disabled person into the pool? Because that makes sense to not let kids play on it.
Post by penguingrrl on Apr 17, 2015 9:51:31 GMT -5
I've never seen the type of swing that holds a wheelchair. Not even at adaptive playgrounds. I'm not sure if I had seen it prior to this thread I would have realized what it was unless there was signage. I would probably have assumed it was a standing swing and would have let my kids use it.
I have never seen one of these in person, so I have no idea what it's like or how breakable it is, etc. I have no issue telling my kids, regardless of the age, not to play with something.
Would this swing be similar to the things that can help a disabled person into the pool? Because that makes sense to not let kids play on it.
I guess yes you could say that. They are both adaptive equipment.
Woo hoo -- is it finally the day we get to tell each other what we think about their parenting?
Listen, since we all don't like in KC's land of Oz, many of us, myself included have never even seen a swing like that. Is it just a platform? Or does it have obvious places to attach a wheelchair? The latter is obvious -- a regular platform, not so much.
I would also assume the latter would be accompanied by some sort of signage explaining it's restricted use, no? Because if not, and it's just a platform, dude, six year olds are going to climb on that. Even the free range special snowflake with advanced language skills
I'll be honest. Like I said I've never seen a swing like that. If all I saw was a platform I'm not sure I would immediately think that it was designed for a wheelchair.
Woo hoo -- is it finally the day we get to tell each other what we think about their parenting?
Listen, since we all don't like in KC's land of Oz, many of us, myself included have never even seen a swing like that. Is it just a platform? Or does it have obvious places to attach a wheelchair? The latter is obvious -- a regular platform, not so much.
I would also assume the latter would be accompanied by some sort of signage explaining it's restricted use, no? Because if not, and it's just a platform, dude, six year olds are going to climb on that. Even the free range special snowflake with advanced language skills
I do have to wonder if she is backtracking on which swing she meant after it started to blow up. I'm sure those wheelchair swings are out there, but how big of a problem is this really?
I'm 100% positive she backtracked. And if little kids can break it then How the hell is it sturdy enough to support a wheelchair?
Woo hoo -- is it finally the day we get to tell each other what we think about their parenting?
Listen, since we all don't like in KC's land of Oz, many of us, myself included have never even seen a swing like that. Is it just a platform? Or does it have obvious places to attach a wheelchair? The latter is obvious -- a regular platform, not so much.
I would also assume the latter would be accompanied by some sort of signage explaining it's restricted use, no? Because if not, and it's just a platform, dude, six year olds are going to climb on that. Even the free range special snowflake with advanced language skills
I'll be honest. Like I said I've never seen a swing like that. If all I saw was a platform I'm not sure I would immediately think that it was designed for a wheelchair.
Exactly.
So I surely wouldn't expect a six year old I sent to the park alone to get it either.
What AG said makes sense, if we are talking a hugely expensive piece of equipment, there would likely be sign. So the real question is "is it shitty to allow your kid to ignore the written rules of the park?"
Woo hoo -- is it finally the day we get to tell each other what we think about their parenting?
Listen, since we all don't like in KC's land of Oz, many of us, myself included have never even seen a swing like that. Is it just a platform? Or does it have obvious places to attach a wheelchair? The latter is obvious -- a regular platform, not so much.
I would also assume the latter would be accompanied by some sort of signage explaining it's restricted use, no? Because if not, and it's just a platform, dude, six year olds are going to climb on that. Even the free range special snowflake with advanced language skills
I'm seriously sad for humanity that wheelchair accessible swings are something people had never seen. I get that a small local towns playground might not have the budget for them but there's none at larger places in the community like a zoo, no playgrounds designated for kids with disabilities, etc? I get not everyone lives in well populated places like that but you do.
In regards to free range parenting the kids are walking within their community and parents would have had experienced the park with them prior to letting them go alone. They should have taught them then if that kind of equipment was part of their community park.
Think about it-if it were just a platform a kid could roll off of it no? There's a ramp the aid would unlatch down so the wheelchair can roll up to the platform. The ramp latches up and keeps the wheelchair from rolling off. They are marked but people are still assholes after all and watch instead of correcting.
Maybe I am overly optimistic about kids but I don't think it's rocket science to teach them about kids with disabilities and respecting their equipment. Sure kids will break rules when no ones looking but I think kids that are truly taught (not just a parent yelling no but one who actually took the time to explain why) won't. Kids who are taught and exposed to various disabilities generally want to protect and look out for those kids.
I do have to wonder if she is backtracking on which swing she meant after it started to blow up. I'm sure those wheelchair swings are out there, but how big of a problem is this really?
I'm 100% positive she backtracked. And if little kids can break it then How the hell is it sturdy enough to support a wheelchair?
Little kids jumping on the ramp can break it. They're designed for a chair where the weight is distributed evenly. Not a kids weight in one corner.
Post by amynumbers on Apr 17, 2015 10:04:08 GMT -5
I would be willing to bet that those swings are not code compliant everywhere. Because there are more than enough inclusive playgrounds in this area and I have never seen one. There are plenty of those red ones.
You know, the swings we are all pretty sure this thread was originally about. The ones a kid could possibly break, as opposed to those other things.
I would be willing to bet that those swings are not code compliant everywhere. Because there are more than enough inclusive playgrounds in this area and I have never seen one. There are plenty of those red ones.
You know, the swings we are all pretty sure this thread was originally about. The ones a kid could possibly break, as opposed to those other things.
Those green ones you all thought I was initially talking about could not accommodate all wheelchair bound kids.
I am going to say though, that unless there is a sign stating that it is ONLY for people with wheelchairs I would let my kid play on it. I feel like these are more like a accessible bathroom stall than a piece of personal equipment. Of course I'm not going to let my lids play with someone's walker/ wheelchair/positioner, but I think the point of accessible playgrounds is to improve access for all kids and this is probably something everyone can use.
Post by penguingrrl on Apr 17, 2015 10:13:00 GMT -5
Now that I think about it, even in NYC I never saw the platform-style ones. And we were at a ton of playgrounds over those 5 years, almost every one of which was at least somewhat adaptive for less mobile patrons. Many I went to had ramps and other wheelchair accommodations but not a single one had that kind of swing. I've seen very few playgrounds that don't have the other type shown upthread, even in my current little podunk town. Even playgrounds that lack other accommodations often have the red/green special needs swings.
I suspect it's not that playgrounds aren't designed with special needs children in mind and more that those don't pass safety codes everywhere.
Now that I think about it, even in NYC I never saw the platform-style ones. And we were at a ton of playgrounds over those 5 years, almost every one of which was at least somewhat adaptive for less mobile patrons. Many I went to had ramps and other wheelchair accommodations but not a single one had that kind of swing. I've seen very few playgrounds that don't have the other type shown upthread, even in my current little podunk town. Even playgrounds that lack other accommodations often have the red/green special needs swings.
I suspect it's not that playgrounds aren't designed with special needs children in mind and more that those don't pass safety codes everywhere.
Our zoo has one and I can't imagine they'd take the liability on of having something that doesn't pass safety codes. I would assume that they become unsafe because people let their typical kids screw around with them and so places opt for the green swings instead. And those are all well and good...but they're truly not accessible to many wheelchair bound kids.
Now that I think about it, even in NYC I never saw the platform-style ones. And we were at a ton of playgrounds over those 5 years, almost every one of which was at least somewhat adaptive for less mobile patrons. Many I went to had ramps and other wheelchair accommodations but not a single one had that kind of swing. I've seen very few playgrounds that don't have the other type shown upthread, even in my current little podunk town. Even playgrounds that lack other accommodations often have the red/green special needs swings.
I suspect it's not that playgrounds aren't designed with special needs children in mind and more that those don't pass safety codes everywhere.
Our zoo has one and I can't imagine they'd take the liability on of having something that doesn't pass safety codes. I would assume that they become unsafe because people let their typical kids screw around with them and so places opt for the green swings instead. And those are all well and good...but they're truly not accessible to many wheelchair bound kids.
Safety codes aren't identical everywhere, though. I know in NJ (or possibly just my part of NJ, it may vary by municipality) you can't have a deadbolt that requires a key on both sides because it's consider a fire hazard (you don't want to be looking for the key if you're trying to get out quickly), where other places allow it since deadbolts on a door with a window on it can make it easier for someone to break the window, open the door and get in. Obviously it's unrelated, but it's an example of where safety codes can vary.
Our zoo has one and I can't imagine they'd take the liability on of having something that doesn't pass safety codes. I would assume that they become unsafe because people let their typical kids screw around with them and so places opt for the green swings instead. And those are all well and good...but they're truly not accessible to many wheelchair bound kids.
Safety codes aren't identical everywhere, though. I know in NJ (or possibly just my part of NJ, it may vary by municipality) you can't have a deadbolt that requires a key on both sides because it's consider a fire hazard (you don't want to be looking for the key if you're trying to get out quickly), where other places allow it since deadbolts on a door with a window on it can make it easier for someone to break the window, open the door and get in. Obviously it's unrelated, but it's an example of where safety codes can vary.
True. It's sad that many kids in wheelchairs can't go to places and use a swing in seemingly many places.
Fffc is that I have never seen either types of those swings. But then again I don't live at the end of yellow brick road or anything
My fffc is that off leash dogs in my park's playground make my blood boil. There is a fenced in no leash dog park in the same fucking park. Get your loose dogs off the play structure where my kid is playing. Don't care if the dog is part of your family, he's not part of mine.
Post by Kcthepouchh8r on Apr 17, 2015 10:41:32 GMT -5
Oh and those of you who think I'm full of shit here's links to pictures of our zoo playground and a local playground with wheelchair accessible swings: