At Every Ability Plays Project we believe every child deserves a playful life. We want children and young adults with mobility impairments, hearing and vision impairments, autism spectrum disorders, and all other disabilities to be given the opportunity to develop alongside their peers and experience all the joy and benefits of play. Every Ability Plays Project’s mission is to remove barriers and expand the world of play for children and young adults with disabilities by providing adaptive equipment which supports play in their neighborhood playgrounds and communities, as well as their own backyards. Our vision is to create an inclusive community that encourages socialization and play among children, adults, and families of all abilities.
Description
Founded in 2014, EAPP is a grassroots non-profit based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We want children and young adults with mobility impairments, hearing and vision impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and all other disabilities to be given the opportunity to develop alongside their peers and experience all the joy and benefits of play.
Physical activity, such as the physical movement that many children participate in during play, can have a significant impact on development, quality of life, and future health outcomes for children with disabilities. Despite these many benefits, most play environments in our neighborhoods and communities have only traditional play equipment that is not accessible to individuals with disabilities.
By integrating adaptive playground equipment with traditional playground equipment EAPP hopes to provide children of all abilities with the opportunity to participate in play alongside their peers; decreasing many of the negative stigmas associated with disability and positively impacting both physical and psychological health outcomes for years to come.
