LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Trager Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, May 13 for its brand-new and accessible Blieden Family Playground, which aims to bring together children of all abilities. 

The center said the playground exceeds Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for total accessible ground level and elevated components, helping support play for children with disabilities. It is on the east side of the center's campus (behind Shalom Tower, off Dutchmans Lane). 

“We are thrilled to provide this safe place where children of all ages and capabilities can play together and have access to the welcoming environment of the Trager Family JCC,” said Tom Wissinger, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Trager Family Jewish Community Center. “Families do not need to be members of the Trager Family JCC to enjoy the Blieden Family Playground; it is open to everyone in our entire community."

William Raff, 8, lives with cerebral palsy. They said they were especially excited to use the playground's wheelchair-accessible swing. 

“I just like swinging with some of my friends now because I have some friends that are in wheelchairs when I'm not ... I can swing with my friends," Raff said. 

Raff's father, Jason Raff, said playgrounds like these can do more than just give children a safe and fun space to play.

“It normalizes and exposes children that don't have disabilities to children that do," he said. "It allows them to play together, help each other, learn from each other and understand one another."

William Raff lives tries out one of many inclusive and accessible features of the new Blieden Family Playground in Louisville. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Grantz)

The Trager Family JCC said the playground follows its Yachad values, which the center weaves into its preschool, camp and children’s programming. "Yachad" in Hebrew means "together," and the center said it aims to give children with special needs a safe place to learn, teach and grow while fostering cooperation and understanding. 

Some accessible highlights of the playground include the following, the Trager Family JCC said:

• A "We-Go Swing," which supports children in wheelchairs and allows them to control the swing's motion, along with parents or other children
• A roller slide wide enough for children to slide down together, providing an experience eliminating static electricity and allowing children with cochlear implants to use the slide without fear of static electricity discharging in their hearing device
• A "Rhapsody Animato Mellophone," tilted for roll-up access for those using wheelchairs. The instrument offers a full range of notes, allowing users to create calming music