Celebrating Diversity: Jill Moore Of Landscape Structures On How To Build Inclusive Communities
An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Prioritizing equity vs equality. Equality means we’re all given the same solutions, while equity means we recognize that each person has different needs, and we provide the opportunity for them to find their just-right fit. For example, think about access to a restaurant. It’s super common that the wheelchair accessible entrance isn’t the main entrance. Meaning, I have to go through the back–next to the trash–to enter the space. Sure, it’s equal because we’re all given an entrance. But to be equitable, a ramp into the main entrance would be more impactful. In that instance, I’m entering the space just like everyone else through an equitable design solution.
In a world where diversity is often acknowledged but not always celebrated, we are taking a step forward to highlight the importance of inclusivity in building strong, vibrant communities. This series aims to explore the various facets of diversity — be it racial, cultural, gender-based, or within the differently-abled community — and understand how embracing these differences strengthens our social fabric. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jill Moore.
Jill Moore works with commercial playground manufacturer Landscape Structures to add a voice of disability into the product development process as well as inclusive design practices. With a specific focus on merging lived experience with universal design principles, Jill promotes and educates on integrating inclusion in play, and bringing people with disabilities into the conversation. As an accredited educational presenter, both in the classroom and the playground; play has become her full-time role. During her lifetime, she has represented Team USA as a multi-sport athlete, bringing perspective on the importance of recreation and how imperative equitable access to play is for all.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about celebrating diversity, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
I always get a bit of a laugh at this question because it was purely dumb luck! I was just about to graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with a degree in industrial design. I really wanted to get a job in the medical design field — I wanted to use my lived experience as someone with a disability to provide input to medical products that so many disabled individuals encounter. (Urinary catheters were my specific interest- I know- WILDLY sexy and glamorous!) I had just competed in the 2016 Paralympic trials hosted in my hometown, Charlotte, North Carolina, and was speaking alongside city representatives on the importance of adaptive recreation and play for persons with disabilities. My now-employer was sitting in my session, and they invited me to Delano, Minnesota, to visit their headquarters and take a tour of the production facility, which manufactures commercial playgrounds. A few weeks later, I received a call saying I was hired with a mission to become a champion for inclusion and play. It was a really challenging job to start, especially since I really had never gone to playgrounds growing up since they weren’t designed for disability. That absence led to a lot of passion to ensure that no child would have that same experience.
Can you share an interesting or hopeful story where spending time with someone who did not look like you or who was different from you taught you something that has been useful to you?
I love this question! Growing up in adaptive sports, I tended to be surrounded by people with similar disabilities–a lot of wheelchair users and orthopedic disabilities. When designing for inclusive play, we’re designing for a massive range of disabilities such as autism, ADHD, blind/low vision, sensory disabilities, deaf/hard of hearing, and so on. Every time I’ve encountered a child or a family with a disability different than my own, I learn something extremely valuable. A few years back, a mother reached out to Landscape Structures advocating for inclusive play as her daughter, who has no depth perception, was becoming of playground age. That’s huge when it comes to playing safely and comfortably! We needed to identify changes in elevations like on stairs and climbers, and to ensure that elements like balance beams are distinctly colored from the playground surface to guide where to step. This realization prompted me to learn a TON about how we can use other sensory elements to enhance a play space better for blind/low vision users. Color contrasts, tactile cues, and sound provide sensory information and help these kids and their families navigate and feel comfortable in a space. I’m in regular contact with the mother who contacted us. Her family’s lived experience is such a valuable voice to lift up and learn from.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Not only a willingness to learn, but an eagerness for it.
I’ve met a lot of people in different communities who have zero interest in hearing me talk about inclusive play because “they already know everything about it.” Inclusive play is my focus every single day, and I don’t feel like I’ve scratched the surface on everything there is to know. We meet a lot of parents who call us because they simply want the experiences of their children and families to be heard. I think it’s extremely easy to want to turn people like that away. To say, “we’re the experts, they can learn from us,” but every single parent I’ve talked to, even if they come to us frustrated, has taught me something that I utilize daily in this career.
2. Humor and humility.
I think people get nervous around topics like disability or really dealing with any underrepresented population. Especially now when we don’t want to hurt people or say the wrong thing. I love fostering conversations around what could be a taboo topic. I share stories of funny things that I’ve encountered and share it with a smile instead of being bitter that these things happen. Just because we don’t want to say the wrong thing doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about it. I find making the hard topics a bit lighter make people feel a lot less defensive, and they become more willing to listen.
3. Energized.
I know I’m very fortunate because I’m extremely passionate about inclusive play. Someone once made the point to me that things either give you energy or they take it away, and my career genuinely makes me excited for what I do. It fuels me to want to do my very best and very rarely am I left feeling drained by it. I think if people pursue what genuinely excites them or enter a field they’re passionate about, excelling will be the natural outcome.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a personal story that highlights the impact of diversity and inclusivity in your life or career?
As an adult, I consider myself extremely bubbly, witty, and charismatic. I love connecting with people. This hasn’t always been the case. Growing up with a disability, I often felt like a loner. I was insecure that I was different, moved differently than my peers and that I had different needs. I shied away from all those wonderful things about myself because I felt people didn’t see past my disability. A lot of those insecurities started through play. When it came time for recess, while all the other kids could explore the playground, create games, and form connections, I was left sitting in one spot and hoping someone else was willing to do that with me. People didn’t get to know those aspects of my personality that I was proud of. I was seen as a quiet kid who didn’t play like everyone else. I dreaded recess because the playground hadn’t been designed for access. I couldn’t keep up with everyone else, and despite being strong, imaginative and competitive, I wasn’t included in play.
When I entered my career as an inclusive play specialist, I really didn’t know how to advocate for playgrounds. They had been a source of resentment and a place that made me feel extremely “other” than everyone else. About a year into my role, I took part in a photoshoot for our We-Go-Round®, an inclusive merry-go-round. I remember leaving that day with such joy. A mix of children with disabilities and able-bodied children were there to play. We all started a bit shy but by the end of it, our differences in ability didn’t matter; just that we had all become fast friends. Everyone was laughing and making jokes and being themselves–a feeling I wished had been nurtured within me from an early age. I was so genuinely excited by the realization that inclusive playground design is creating a welcoming experience for all children who come to play. It was only as I entered my late 20s that I discovered I’m a pretty cool person (if I do say so myself), and I’m so happy that kids can experience that feeling at a younger age.
How do you approach and manage the challenges that arise when working towards creating more inclusive communities?
That’s a challenging one! I mentioned how imperative it is to be willing to learn. Some communities feel that they know it all already, or they have a very specific idea about what inclusion looks like. I once heard from a woman whose daughter uses a wheelchair. She shared that when they visit their local inclusive playground, she tells all the able-bodied kids to leave because this playground is ONLY for kids in wheelchairs. That broke my heart! Imagine how isolated that makes her child feel. Also, disabilities aren’t always seen! Imagine if a child with ADHD was there, or a child with autism who loved a certain sensory experience offered at that park. Inclusive design truly means inclusive of everyone. We want a variety of play experiences that provides a just-right fit for as many needs and abilities as possible. I want my able-bodied friends to come to the park and have a great time as well.
When I encounter communities or people with perspectives like this, I try to acknowledge their views to ensure they feel understood while also gently educating them on the needs of disabilities they may not be as connected to. For example, children with motor coordination disabilities need climbing and at different challenge levels to develop their skills. So, removing climbers just because they aren’t “wheelchair accessible” is detrimental to a group of kids who need practice in developing their motor skills. I work hard to avoid telling someone they’re outright wrong. Instead, I share what they’ve got correct and how we can build on that foundation. This leads to more positive experiences where they don’t shut down, get defensive, or no longer want to work with us anymore.
What innovative strategies or initiatives have you implemented or observed that effectively promote the importance of diversity and inclusivity?
“Nothing about us without us” is my favorite initiative in this field. I certainly didn’t come up with it, but I’ve advocated for its implementation. This movement is all about engaging the voices of persons with disabilities in the planning and design process. To succeed in disability design, we need to lift the voices of the user. Entering the field, I was extremely thrilled to have my voice matter as a person with a disability. Still, it’s been even more exciting to connect other disabled individuals to our process. We’re starting a Play Club at Landscape Structures, including children of varying abilities and their families in our inclusive play journey. Members will be able to test brand-new inclusive playground products and designs so that we can get actual user feedback and shape these products into something truly extraordinary before they hit the market. This is probably the most exciting thing I’ve encountered in my seven years in the playground industry. The voice of the end user is what matters most. Promoting the voices of disabled individuals as the subject matter experts is extremely empowering. If someone had taken the time to listen to my needs and feelings about playgrounds as a kid, I would’ve felt that my voice truly mattered and that I belonged just like everyone else.
In your opinion, what are the key elements that make a community truly inclusive, and how can these be fostered on a larger scale?
I think the key to creating anything inclusive — be it a park or an entire community — starts with recognizing that every single one of us has our own unique set of needs and abilities, and those change every day. Designing for inclusion isn’t designing for disabled persons; it’s designing so that every single person, whatever their needs and abilities may be, can participate and engage equitably and meaningfully. It’s creating a community that celebrates the voices and vitality of its members. I think when we take a step back and process how big inclusive design is, that it’s not just for disabled individuals, but everyone, we realize how impactful prioritizing inclusion really is. Take adding in a curb cut at a crosswalk, for example. This is a small thing to do in the grand scheme of things, but the ramifications are massive. This one design detail creates a space where I, as a wheelchair user, am supported, as well as a mother with a stroller, an individual with a cane who may struggle with steps, and a teenager on a skateboard. All of us could be at that same spot sparking a conversation and forming connections all because of small design details that foster an equitable experience. Through inclusive design practices, those tiny details add up more and more until we suddenly have an inclusive community on a larger scale where everyone can engage and bring their vitality to the table.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways We Can Build Inclusive Communities”?
1. I think the first step is to look at where your community is at. Some communities may have been working on these initiatives for a while and some may be brand new to it, but the goal for communities is to offer everyone of all abilities the chance to engage meaningfully. Park and recreation entities are valuable as many prioritize inclusive initiatives. They may have adaptive recreation opportunities, inclusive programming or might be working on an inclusive park project. Some park and rec systems offer adaptive equipment rentals such as handcycles or all-terrain wheelchairs for bike trails and local parks. That’s unbelievably cool to me, as it makes such a statement that I, as a disabled individual, am welcomed and valued.
2. Foster connections between all abilities. This can be through programming, or inclusive design but there’s so much value in learning from each other! When able-bodied children connect with children with disabilities, it’s a very curious exchange. Kids have the best questions — “Why are you in a wheelchair? Do you sleep in your wheelchair? Does someone take care of you? Have you seen Frozen 2?” We get through the heavy hitters, and then we learn what we have in common to form friendships and suddenly disability is a lot less intimidating. Inclusion Matters® by Shane’s Inspiration is a corporate partner of ours, and they do some incredible work to connect children of all abilities through play. They partner able-bodied children with kiddos with disabilities and go to the playground. Afterwards, they have an extremely rich discussion about what they’ve learned, and the connections made.
3. Normalize the disabled as vital community members. A perfect example of this is “The Blue Guy,” the icon of a person in a wheelchair to indicate accessible accommodations. “The Blue Guy” is sitting up with his arms straight out in front of him. Not in motion, just stationary. I’ve noticed some communities changing the icon to an individual in a wheelchair actually pushing his wheels. This is such a small detail, but it shifts how we see disability as something stiff, unmoving and unengaged vs. being capable of movement and engagement within our community. Seeing disability as part of our day-to-day is hugely impactful. If we see people with disabilities in images actively participating in things and engaging in the community, when we meet an individual with a disability it’s a lot less intimidating, and we know that they can meaningfully participate just like everyone else.
4. Universal design details add up. I’ve met a few people in my career who have told me they don’t have anyone with disabilities in their communities. With 1 in 4 Americans having some type of disability per the CDC, that’s doubtful. Chances are there are plenty of people with disabilities, but their needs aren’t being supported. For example, if I go to the park and the bathroom isn’t accessible, I’m not going back to that park. If I go to retail stores that don’t have accessible parking and curb cuts, I’m not even going to bother to try to go in. These experiences add up, and suddenly we aren’t seeing people with disabilities out and about. When we support people’s needs, that encourages them to engage. This applies to entire families. Say a child has a sensory disability and went with their family to a basketball game at an arena. That experience is loud and overwhelming to the sensory system, and that child might suddenly become dysregulated. Many arenas and public spaces are now integrating sensory rooms or pods for these families. Once that child has calmed their nervous system back down, the family can go back to the game. Universal changing tables are becoming much more prolific. If a family has a 10-year-old child with a complex disability, they aren’t going to fit on a standard changing table. This family must either change their child on the floor or go home. Having inclusive solutions invites people not only to get to a space but actually stay there and engage.
5. Prioritizing equity vs equality. Equality means we’re all given the same solutions, while equity means we recognize that each person has different needs, and we provide the opportunity for them to find their just-right fit. For example, think about access to a restaurant. It’s super common that the wheelchair accessible entrance isn’t the main entrance. Meaning, I have to go through the back–next to the trash–to enter the space. Sure, it’s equal because we’re all given an entrance. But to be equitable, a ramp into the main entrance would be more impactful. In that instance, I’m entering the space just like everyone else through an equitable design solution.
How do you measure the impact and success of diversity and inclusion efforts, and what changes have you seen as a result of these initiatives?
One begets the next! When I started in my career, inclusive play spaces felt new. They were a big, expensive and overwhelming thing that people didn’t know a ton about. But over the past seven years even this has changed relatively quickly. Even if people don’t have the budgets to do large inclusive spaces, they still want to know what small things they can make for the space to be more welcoming. I think more frequently, families of children with disabilities are experiencing inclusive design in their day-to-day lives, and they’re asking for play spaces that meet their needs as well. Families might experience an inclusive play space or see one on the news, and then they advocate for one in their own communities. This creates a massive ripple effect. New businesses are embracing inclusive design and practices, showing a broader understanding of disability and all the different ways it can look. This awareness has led to an appreciation of the value that disabled individuals can add. Disability is not only becoming normalized, but it is being celebrated. Communities are creating environments where everyone finds a sense of place and belonging.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
It’s going to sound super simple, but everyone deserves play. That truly means everyone. Not just those with the “right” abilities. Play is critical. It fosters healthy development for our mind and bodies and builds skills that follow us through our lifetimes. It forges connections between people. We take risks in play, learn from them, and then learn what it feels like to succeed. We explore independence and challenge ourselves. My unique needs and abilities don’t make me any less deserving of those experiences. Play is integral for every single one of us through every step of our lives. It’s so simplistic, but every one of us has a right to that experience!
How can our readers further follow you online?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.moore01/
Instagram: @jillioooo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-moore-258b1060/
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is an entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. She is best known as the founder of Enseo which she and her team grew into one of the largest out-of-home media and connected networks in the world, serving more than 100,000,000 people annually. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion resulted in amazing partnerships and customer relationships. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Dish Networks to bring innovative solutions to the hospitality industry. Enseo has also held an exclusive contract to provide movies to the entire U.S. armed forces for almost 15 years. Vanessa and her team’s relentless innovation resulted in120+ U.S. Patents. Her favorite product is the MadeSafe solution for hotel workers as well as students and children in their K-12 classrooms. Accolades include: #15 on FAST 100, 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned 2018–2020, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies 2018–2020, not to mention the Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year. Vanessa now spends her time enjoying her children, sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles and speaking engagements. entrepreneurs-to-be with her articles including her LinkedIN newsletter Unplugged. In her spare time, she writes music with her husband Paul as the band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, and trains dogs.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack.
