Applying universal design: A journey into play environments (June 20, 2023)

While changing the child's body functions and structures (child-focused) has traditionally been the objective of occupational therapy play research and clinical intervention, emerging therapy interventions targeting changes in the tasks and environments (context-focused) are showing promise as effective ways to address participation (e.g., Anaby et al., 2015; Darrah et al., 2011; Law et al., 2011; Pollock et al., 2014). This shift most likely reflects the profound change that has occurred in recent years in the understanding of disability, from a medical model towards a human rights-based approach (Lid, 2014). Therefore, Universal Design for Play is timely and relevant as we seek to contribute to the occupational justice agenda of creating the context for the realization of Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (United Nations, 1989), explore new ways of working, and establish an evidence base for context-focused therapy.