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September 2025 - Health

New research highlights barriers facing children with disabilities which prohibit use of outdoor play areas: A recent parent survey has shown levels of outdoor play amongst children are continuing to decline and a lack of suitable playground equipment is preventing children with disabilities from enjoying many recreational spaces. Over 50% of parents surveyed who have a disabled child said they felt excluded from outdoor play due to inaccessible equipment. Furthermore, the research shows that children are spending increasingly more time on screens, whilst time outdoors is steadily decreasing.

The research, conducted by Censuswide and commissioned by Barratt Redrow, aimed to evaluate the accessibility of playground equipment for disabled children and explore how modern children engage in outdoor play. A total of 2000 parents of children aged 4-17 were surveyed, including 770 parents of children with physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The survey was carried out between the 9 and 18 June 2025.

Findings shows that many parents must travel over 5 miles to reach a suitable play area for their disabled child. In response, Barratt Redrow has committed to developing fully accessible play spaces that support all types of play. They also pledge to work closely with local communities to ensure these spaces meet the needs of children and young people in the area.

Sarah Pugh, CEO of Whizz Kids a key partner in the initiative, stated: “Play is fundamental to how children learn, connect and grow, but for many disabled children, its simply not available. As one of our long-term partners, we’re proud to continue to work with Barratt Redrow to help reimagine what truly inclusive communities can look like.” 

More generally, the research has shown how outdoor play has declined significantly across generations. Over two-thirds of parents said their children spend less time playing outside than they did at the same age, largely due to a rise in screen-based play on devices such as consoles, computers and mobile phones. 

However, playing outside can have incredible benefits for children and young people, including improved social skills and higher levels of fitness. Nearly 80% of parents also say that giving their children the opportunity to play outside is one of their top priorities.

In conclusion, Censuswide’s research provides a clear understanding of the barriers to play faced by disabled children. It offers valuable insights for organisations, such as Barratt Redrow, to create inclusive and accessible playgrounds with a strong community focus that support every child’s right to play.

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