Understanding one another begins with getting to know each other, one of the most natural ways to foster acceptance. This is precisely the opportunity created by the playgrounds built over the past nine years by Szerencsejáték Zrt. These accessible community spaces can be used by children living with disabilities as well. For years, the national lottery company has made a strong commitment to positively shaping public attitudes toward people with disabilities.
Across the European Union, nearly 80 million people, and in Hungary around one million individuals and their families, are affected by some form of disability. Research shows that shared experiences, such as children playing together, promote acceptance. Through getting to know one another, prejudices fade and a more open, empathetic mindset can develop. Szerencsejáték Zrt.’s inclusive playground program is built on this very principle. Children who grow up experiencing diversity as something natural are more likely to become open-minded and responsible adults.
Since 2017, the company’s “Play Connects” playground initiative has created 43 community spaces across the country where children with and without disabilities can play together. The program’s motto conveys a clear message: “What connects us matters more than what sets us apart.” An inclusive playground goes beyond physical accessibility. While step-free access is essential, most play elements are also designed so that all children can use them together. Swings, carousels and climbing structures encourage shared play, naturally supporting interaction, understanding and acceptance.
These playgrounds carry an important message not only for children but also for parents and the wider community. Adults, too, can experience that differences are natural and that living together is based on mutual attention and respect. In many towns, these playgrounds have quickly become hubs of community life, where families meet regularly, talk and build relationships. This informal community building strengthens local cohesion and helps reduce social isolation.
These nearly fifty unique spaces offer children with and without disabilities, including those with typical and atypical development, the chance to play together in a natural environment without separation. The playground elements provide accessible play experiences through thoughtful design, non-slip surfaces and barrier-free access.
Each playground features a unique theme that reflects the history, natural environment and community values of the given town or village, helping residents truly feel a sense of ownership. Environmental awareness and sustainability are also key priorities. Landscaped green areas, rest zones, drinking fountains and selective waste collection points are all part of the design, alongside accessible routes and parking spaces for people with reduced mobility.
Szerencsejáték Zrt. undertakes the full construction of each playground, and once completed, the facilities are transferred to local municipalities for free public use. This ensures that they can sustainably serve the needs of children, families and communities for years to come, providing joyful shared experiences over the long term.
The company believes that social responsibility is not a one-time gesture but requires ongoing commitment and consistent effort. The “Play Connects” program is a tangible expression of this approach, an initiative that creates real value and has a lasting positive impact on society.
Since 2022, the message of the program has been further strengthened by Drávucz Rita, a world and European champion Olympic water polo player, who joined as a goodwill ambassador. She is not only a credible role model due to her sporting achievements, but also as a parent personally affected by the challenges faced by children with disabilities. Her daughter Flóra was diagnosed at the age of two with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, a rare genetic condition that requires her to use a wheelchair. Drávucz Rita openly shares their story and actively works to promote greater understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities, in the same spirit embodied every day by the inclusive playgrounds of the “Play Connects” program.
