Rick Hansen Foundation

Let’s Play is helping to ensure that young children with physical disabilities have the same opportunities to play as their peers.

Created by the Rick Hansen Foundation in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, Let’s Play has awarded 47 grants to schools, municipalities and community organizations to create accessible play spaces for children ages 0–6 in BC and their caregivers. This funding was made possible by a $2.5 million investment from the Province. As all funds have now been disbursed, Let’s Play can no longer accept applications for grants.

Let’s Play is currently operated by the Rick Hansen Institute, a registered charitable organization that strives to minimize disability and maximize quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries. We continue to work to build awareness about the importance of accessible play and related best practices, and to provide tools that support communities in the creation of accessible play spaces.

Interested in creating an accessible play space in your community? Download the Let’s Play Toolkit for ideas and images that will help guide you through the process. Let’s Play will also be introducing some exciting new tools in the coming months, so be sure to check back with us in late spring!

What People Are Saying

Having the park be accessible has made a wonderful change in the neighborhood and my life. Being able to push my daughter on the swings again has brought me so much joy. I would like to thank everybody involved in upgrading the playground.

- Parent with quadriplegia, McLean Park neighbourhood, City of Richmond

Most inaccessible playgrounds are a source of frustration for us where my son is excluded from various activities and we are hit with reminders of his limitations. But on the new playground I can let him be free to play where he wants to without having to worry about where he will get stuck or be in a dangerous position.

- Celia Preusse, parent of Kinnikinnick School student

Our students are much more aware of the mobility challenges faced by many people in this community and throughout the world. They have now experienced playing alongside a child with mobility challenges and are learning more inclusive play.

- Ann Skelcher, Principal, Kinnikinnick Elementary School

About Accessible Play

All children need to play. It’s essential for their physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

Accessible play spaces are designed to encourage shared play among children of all physical abilities. They have features that stimulate the senses and promote inclusive play, things like water play areas, scent gardens, naturally landscaped spaces and accessible play structures. They also allow parents and caregivers with physical disabilities to be nearby and play with their children.

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