Play Belongs to Every Body

Play is the heartbeat of childhood. It’s how children discover the world, learn new skills, and connect with the people they love. Long before school lessons or therapy goals, children first experience learning through play — whether it’s peek-a-boo with a parent, chasing bubbles in the backyard, or stacking blocks with a sibling. But for many children with disabilities, play is not always accessible. Too often, barriers in communication, motor access, or sensory experiences limit opportunities to join in, leaving families and children on the outside of something that should belong to everyone. However, exclusion from play isn’t inevitable — it’s a challenge we can change. By rethinking what play looks like, adapting environments, and equipping families and professionals with practical strategies, we can open doors to connection and joy. That’s why this year, we’re shining a spotlight on accessible play.

Play for Every Body

In the spirit of this spotlight, our central theme for this year is: Play for Every Body | #AACcessiblePlay — a reminder that play belongs to all children, in all its forms. Over the next year, we’ll highlight how play can be adapted to meet the needs of children of all ages and abilities, with practical resources for parents and professionals, and joyful examples of what accessible play looks like in everyday life.

When we say Play for Every Body, we mean every child, every ability, every body. Bodies move, sense, and communicate in different ways — some through speech, some through signs or devices, some through gestures or eye gaze. Some bodies crave fast, energetic play, while others need slow, predictable rhythms. Play for Every Body reminds us that there is no single ‘right’ way to play. By honoring the unique ways each body engages with the world, we open more paths to joy, learning, and connection.

Why Play Matters

Play is not “extra.” It is essential. Through play, children develop social-emotional skills, strengthen communication, build motor coordination, and experience joy. In fact, the United Nations recognizes play as a fundamental right. This means that when we make space for play, we aren’t just entertaining children — we’re supporting their growth, dignity, and well-being.

Barriers to Play

Children with disabilities may encounter barriers in communication, motor access, sensory processing, vision, hearing, and social inclusion. Yet each of these challenges can be reduced with thoughtful adaptations to the environment, the materials we offer, and the ways we engage as play partners. Recognizing these barriers is the first step; reimagining play so every child can experience joy, connection, and belonging is the next.

What Accessible Play Looks Like

Accessible play is about participation and joy, not uniformity. It does not require every child to play in the same way — it ensures that every child has a way to engage that works for their body, brain, and preferences. Accessibility in play means removing barriers and adding supports so that children can enter into playful experiences on their own terms. It might look like adapting routines with switches, visual supports, or tactile props. It might mean celebrating diverse play styles — from spinning tops to storytelling — as meaningful ways of engaging. It involves providing age-respectful adaptations, so play continues to feel dignified and enjoyable for older children and adolescents. And it means viewing sensory, movement, and social routines (Joyful Join-Ins) just as meaningful as toy-based play (Toy Treasures). Accessible play recognizes that there are many valid ways to connect, and that with creativity and responsiveness, every child can experience the joy and growth that play provides.

Making Play Accessible All Year Long

Throughout the next year, we’ll be sharing monthly, themed resources that bring play accessibility to life. These resources include blog posts, digital tools, videos, and curated recommendations to spark fresh play ideas and reimagine familiar play routines, with or without toys.

Each monthly theme will feature:

• Family Play Packs → family-friendly guides with tips and reflection prompts that help families prioritize play in meaningful and manageable ways.

• Play Path Toolkits → evidence-based strategies and coaching/intervention supports for professionals.

• Play Bytes → bite-sized videos that show simple ways to adapt play.

• Play Maps→ guides for specific Joyful Join-In or Toy Treasure activities, with tips to adapt for different needs and interests.

Together, these resources will help parents and professionals put accessibility into practice — one play routine, one joyful moment at a time.

Visit the Play for Every Body landing page to explore resources.

Join Us

Play is not optional — it’s essential. And it belongs to every child.

Over the next year, we invite you to follow along, try out the resources posted, and share your own ideas with the hashtag #AACcessiblePlay. Together, we can make play possible for every body.