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6
The Social Accessibility Model
Changing attitudes in society is a long-term process which requires a systematic and comprehensive
approach. Based on this understanding, we developed the community model of intervention, which
is the basis for planning the social accessibility aspect.
The model
contains
four
levels of
intervention
:
■
Spontaneous play
The community: families with children up to
12 years old, with or without disabilities, who
come to the park for recreation and fun.
Focus of work: activity on site to advance
integration and changing of attitudes.
■
Advancing the independence of children
from special education frameworks
Special education: children from special
education frameworks.
Focus of work: activities planned by the
frameworks’ staff to advance and improve the
children’s functional, motor and social skills.
The frameworks’ staff accompanies the
students to the accessible park and helps
them learn to play in the playground, while
developing motor/sensory and social skills.
■
Planned activities by education systems to change and mold attitudes
Education system: children up to 12 years old and their educators from formal and informal
education systems.
Focus of work: planned activities to enrich existing integration programs; create new
opportunities for integration encounters; structured activities to present and promote the idea
of integration and attitude change within the education system.
■
Changing the community and social environment
Community system: residents, parents, children and professionals.
Focus of work: presenting and promoting the park’s raison d'être, the idea of integration and
instilling positive social attitudes towards children with disabilities. Raising awareness of families
with children with disabilities to the park’s existence and its special features .
Each level of intervention has a variety of activities and programs. Each program has a defined target
population and goals, as well as materials, guidelines or kits. The programs are run by trained
volunteers and professionals.