Jill Moore Makes Sure Everyone Gets to Play

Q&A with Paralympian and Inclusive Play Specialist

Jill Moore, our Inclusive Play Specialist, was featured in the Inspired section of the StarTribune newspaper recently. Jill talks about her mission to make sure every child on every playground gets to have fun and some Q & A on her upbringing, the power of play, past experiences as a Paralympian and a few weird travel experiences. 

Read an excerpt from the article:

The U.S. Paralympic Team Trials just wrapped up in Minneapolis and as passionate as she is about the games, Jill Moore wasn't here to watch. Moore, who has competed in the Parapan American Games in Toronto and the World Games in Doha, Qatar, was off on a head-spinning travel itinerary as inclusive play specialist for Delano, Minn.-based playground manufacturer Landscape Structures. Moore's mission: To make sure every child on every playground gets to have fun. Moore was born with spina bifida and is a full-time wheelchair user. She also swims, plays basketball, skis and has completed 12 marathons. She talks about her upbringing, the power of play and a few weird travel experiences.

Q: What does an inclusive play specialist do?

A: Play! At times, designers without a disability make assumptions and you end up with products that don't benefit the people they were designed for. I talk to communities about what makes for an inclusive play space, figuring out how to invite people in, and not just people in mobility devices, but those with other differences such as autism.