Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Linda Sundstrom
Abstract
Physical disabilities restrict children’s motor abilities, affecting their participation in physical activities and play. But play area equipment can give children a way to participate in play regardless of their disability. The purpose of the study was to explore the need for an operations manual for nonprofit organizations when designing and developing inclusive play areas for children with special needs worldwide. The research question examined what processes during the design and development of inclusive play areas could be standardized with an operations manual. Interviews were conducted with two members with historical and operational knowledge of the organization. Transcribed data were coded, separated into themes, then categorized by the organizational process. Three primary themes outlined the critical results of the analysis: general information, design and development operation, and financials. An operations manual was created using the information and documentation from the organization. The client received the Table of Contents for the manual with some sections completed; however, due to confidentiality, the client chose to include additional documents after the delivery of the operations manual. The positive social change implications of the study include the operations manual helping streamline a process, maximize personnel and resource usage, and increase flexibility in the organization. An operations manual can reduce the organization’s timeline when designing and developing global play areas for children with special needs.
Recommended Citation
Collier, Terry, "An Operations Manual to Replicate a Playground Program for Children with Special Needs in Global Regions" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13274.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13274
