The stairs / stepping stones / beams subdomain captures balance affordances or terrain that both forces intentional foot placement and is ideally navigated without upper extremity support. All of the categories within this subdomain force intentional foot placement in that there are specific areas where the individual can and cannot place their feet in order to stay on the platform(s) and successfully navigate the terrain. While stairs are ideally navigated without upper extremity support, it is expected and appropriate that individuals will use their hands depending on their ability. Therefore, all four subcategories of stairs could have a wall, handrail, or vertical bars on at least one side. Stepping stones and beams, on the other hand, cannot have any elevated surface that could be used for upper extremity support on any side in order to receive points in this subdomain.
The stairs / stepping stones / beams subdomain is composed of the following four categories: stairs, stepping stones, beams, and moveable.
The stairs category is composed of the following four subcategories: small flight, well-supported flight, not well-supported flight, and standard flight.
The stepping stones category is composed of the following three subcategories: large and level and close, small and/or not level, and far.
The beams category is composed of the following three subcategories: wide and level and low, narrow, and not level or high.
Photos are examples of each type of subcategory within the stairs / stepping stones / beams subdomain. Actual affordances at parks and playgrounds will look different.