As the father of a child with special needs who is currently wheelchair bound, I wanted to know and understand more about universal playgrounds accessible in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I found: However, there is only one universal/handicapped playground in Colorado Springs. Even this playground isn't really accessible because it uses wood chips as flooring, making wheelchair use very difficult. The only reason it exists is due exclusively to private funding. I decided to do some research on the subject. I started by researching, from a financial perspective, what the difference in cost is between a traditional playground and a universal playground. I will continue by talking with parents of children with special needs and reading to them to gain perspective. Next, I plan to contact several local attorneys, advocates, and government officials. I also want to learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act: Standards for Accessible Design. Here are the search results. According to Kurt Schroeder (manager of park operations and development in Colorado Springs, Colorado), the cost of building a universal playground is significant enough to limit what the city is able to do with its current budget. Working within budget made the construction of universal playgrounds and modifications and improvements to existing playgrounds a very difficult task. Currently, the city of Colorado Springs has a budget of $750,000 for playgrounds. Of this amount, $250,000 will be used solely to resurface the playgrounds. An additional $150,000 is planned for improvements to existing playgrounds. Mr. Schroeder said resurfacing playgrounds is the largest incremental expense compared to middle of paper...... Vaughn. When the school says no, how to get a yes! : Providing special education services for your child. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2014. Print.Lavin, Judith Loseff. Special Kids Need Special Parents: A resource for parents of children with special needs. New York: Berkley, 2001. Print. McWilliam, P.J. and Donald B. Bailey. “Case 11: The Disney Connection.” Working together with children and families: Case studies in early intervention. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub., 1993. 99+ Print. Potok, Andrew A Question of Dignity: Changing the Lives of People with Disabilities New York: Bantam, 2002. Print. Schroeder, Kurt. “Parks in Colorado Springs. » Telephone interview, April 15, 2014, 4:30 p.m. The Americans with Disabilities Act, Washington, DC? : U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Coordination and Review Section. , 1991. Print.