An existing playground at Albany School of Humanities (ASH) has been completely updated and is now accessible and inclusive to all students!
The City School District of Albany's Special Education Department worked in collaboration with the Maintenance and Operations Department and utilized grant funding to create an equitable outdoor playspace for students with disabilities. The new equipment includes ramps, a glider with a canopy and a whirl, adaptive swings, a textured sensory panel, a shapes panel, an animal panel, a piano panel and a tic-tac-toe panel. The area's surface is now smooth and rubberized and can easily support navigation via wheelchair, walker, tram and gait trainer.
"We are so pleased with these improvements," explained Director of Special Education Elaine Griessler.
"The reimagined area is located in the ASH courtyard which is connected to the building. This means students exit and are directly are on the playground. This helps to support safety. It's also now easier for students to access building spaces and the school facilities when needed during recess."
ASH supports special education programming for students with disabilities in prekindergarten-grade 5, which includes students with ambulatory needs.
Check out a Facebook photo album of Mary Ann Arnesen and Brianna O'Rourke’s classes enjoying the new space on warm and sunny days in November.
