Play for All: HAGS Inclusive Network
We are deeply thankful for all knowledgeable individuals who help us continually enhance accessible play. In Sweden we have a network that includes people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and representatives from various organizations such as the Swedish Housing Agency, the National Confederation of the Visually Impaired, and Jönköping University.
We consult with this network on the design of new products, customer requests, and other enquiries to ensure our knowledge is authentic and practical.
Academics
Working with academics is crucial for Play for All as it grounds our inclusive play initiatives in evidence based research. Their expertise helps us design play spaces that are accessible and beneficial for children of all abilities. Collaborating with academics ensures our projects are innovative, effective, and informed by the latest advancements in child development and inclusivity.
Frida Lygnegård, School of Health & Welfare, Jönköping University, Sweden
Frida is a certified occupational therapist with a doctorate in disability science and a master's degree in public health science. Frida's main areas of interest in terms of teaching and research relate to the health of children and young people, global health, children's rights and how we can create a sustainable society in line with AGENDA 2030 and the global goals. Frida has a blog where she writes about issues relating to children's and young people's rights and children's health and development - in relation to her own research and current issues in society relating to children and young people.
Professor Russell Marshall, School of Design and Creative Arts, Loughborough University, UK
Professor Russell Marshall is a distinguished academic in the School of Design and Creative Arts at Loughborough University, holding an MEng in Design and Manufacturing Engineering and a PhD in Modular Product Design from the same institution. As a Professor of Design and Human Modelling, he is also the Associate Dean for Teaching, leading the strategic development and delivery of the school’s undergraduate and postgraduate programs. His responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of learning and teaching, policy and practice development, and chairing various committees and boards. Russell is the head of the Design Ergonomics Research Group, where he focuses on ensuring products are ergonomically suitable for users. His expertise and contributions have been instrumental in advancing the field of design ergonomics and enhancing product usability and safety.
Russell has played a key role in supporting HAGS in the development of several products, including the Dennis Inclusive Seesaw, ensuring they are ergonomically suitable for children.
Education Practitioners
Partnering with educational practitioners, such as teachers and support workers, is vital for our complete understanding of Play for All. These professionals provide firsthand insights into children's diverse needs and learning styles. Their practical experience helps us create play environments that support social, emotional, and cognitive development, ensuring our designs are both educational and accessible for all children.
Johanna Björnhage & Fredrik Arnesson, Bräcke Preschool Stegen, Sweden
Preschool Stegen in Gothenburg is an inclusive preschool that offers special support to children, mainly those with mobility impairments. Through conductive pedagogy, they create a playful and exploratory environment where the children are encouraged to be active participants in their own development. Both Johanna Björnhage and Fredrik Arnesson are in our network.
A keen supporter of the Inclusive Seesaw Dennis, Mark was interviewed here during playtesting of the seesaw.
Mark Hutton, School Business Manager, Lindon Bennett School, UK
Mark Hutton is the School Business Manager at Lindon Bennett School in the UK, which is for children with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties. He plays a pivotal role in overseeing the school's operations and fostering an inclusive environment for all students. His dedication to enabling play for children with varying needs highlights his commitment to inclusivity and the wellbeing of all students. Mark's insights and active involvement in product testing ensure that the school's play equipment meets the diverse needs of its students, promoting an environment where every child can thrive and enjoy the benefits of play.
Parents/Carers
Engaging with parents, siblings, and carers is an essential part of our work on Play for All. These individuals offer valuable perspectives on the daily experiences and needs of children with diverse abilities. Their input helps us design play spaces that are not only accessible but also enjoyable and safe, ensuring a supportive environment for all children and their families.
Jonas Samuelsson, Father, Sweden
Jonas Samuelsson is a father of two and likes to be active. An accident in 2005 left him in a wheelchair. He emphasizes the importance of being with the network in order to be able to influence and highlight problems that can easily be avoided through the exchange of experience.
Ida Eliasson, Mother, Sweden
Ida is a brave and inspiring mother to Meja, 7 years old, and Milgott, 4 years old. Milgott was born with Down Syndrome. Ida and her children love to travel and take on challenges. Through their adventures, they want to show that prejudices can be broken and that you don't get locked up just because you have a child with a disability. For Ida and her family, the world is still open, and they believe in the possibilities and adventures that await if you only want and dare.
Children
Over the years, we've had the privilege of engaging with countless children of diverse ages, cultures, and abilities. Our commitment has always been clear: ensuring that the products we design uphold our ethos of Play for All. Central to our approach is involving children directly in our product development stages and play testing. From our testing sites in Sweden and the UK, our dedicated team of experts carefully observes as our young play testers immerse themselves in uninterrupted enjoyment. Their valuable feedback guides us in making necessary adjustments, ensuring each product delivers maximum benefit. This meticulous process is essential before any product is launched or sold globally, reinforcing our dedication to creating inclusive and impactful play experiences worldwide.
Pure joy with HAGS
Play test with Snappy and Tini Inclusive Springers.
Interview with Dennis and Carer during playtest for Inclusive Seesaw Dennis prototype.
Employees
At HAGS, we have a dedicated team with experience and a heartfelt commitment to ensure that all children, regardless of ability, can enjoy and benefit from play. They underscore our mission to create inclusive, engaging, and safe play environments for every child.
Helen Bergander, Inclusion Coordinator and Designer, HAGS Sweden
Helen Bergander is a coordinator in inclusion and an engineer designer at HAGS Sweden, with passion for developing innovative products and inclusive play spaces for children of all abilities. She is also the founder and a key member of the Swedish Inclusive Network. Her work reflects a dedication to ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, can enjoy the benefits of play. Helen's creative vision and expertise have been pivotal in advancing HAGS' mission to create play environments that inspire joy, imagination, and inclusivity.
A conversation with our Inclusion Coordinator
Creating playgrounds that welcome everyone, regardless of age or ability, is at the heart of HAGS’ mission. In this interview, Helen Bergander shares how HAGS is leading the way in designing inclusive play spaces. With a dual role as an inclusion advocate and a designer in the specialised customer department, they bring valuable expertise to product development, education, and collaboration.
1 What is your role at HAGS?
"I work as an accessibility coordinator and as a designer in the specialised customer department. I give lectures to spread knowledge about accessibility and inclusion, I am involved in the development of new products, and I collaborate with our network on accessibility and inclusion issues."
2 What is your goal?
"We want play to be for everyone!
We want to be part of creating inclusive playgrounds. A playground should be usable by as many people as possible, regardless of age or ability. When we talk about inclusion, we are also talking about social aspects such as friendship, taking turns, and self confidence. We want the playground to be as flexible as possible, rather than segregating a particular group into a particular area. We want to create places that are safe and provide children with many valuable play experiences."
3 How do you know what you're doing will be good?
"There are many skilled people working at HAGS. We have also set up a network. The network includes parents of children with disabilities and people who have disabilities themselves. We have people from the Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired, Special Preschool in Gothenburg, Boverket, Jönköping University, Linköping University, and others. We are so grateful to them! When we work together with them, we believe that what we do will be good and that the knowledge will be real."
4 How does the collaboration work?
"When we develop new products, we consult our network. This allows each person to give their view based on their needs and experience."
5 How do you get the children's perspective?
"We carry out play tests with different groups of children every time we develop new products. This way, we can see if anything needs to be added or changed. Play tests are carried out with both typically developing children and children with disabilities."
6 What does an inclusive playground look like?
"We have created an example of an inclusive playground. Take a look at it and get inspiration for future projects! If you have any questions about accessibility, please get in touch!"
Example of an inclusive and accessible playground
Planning an inclusive play project?
1. Free design consultation
Our free design consultation service offers personalised guidance tailored to your specific needs and preferences, ensuring that every aspect of your project is considered before implementation.
2. Turning your design into reality
We specialise in transforming your digital design concepts into tangible realities, leveraging cutting-edge technology and expert craftsmanship to bring your vision to life with precision and finesse.
3. Step by step support
With step-by-step support, we accompany you through every stage of the design process, providing guidance, feedback, and assistance to ensure a smooth and successful execution of your project from start to finish.
