Waterford Sports Partnership in conjunction with Waterford City and County Council, have designed and installed Communication Boards in playgrounds throughout Waterford City & County.
A communication board is a form of AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) that non-verbal people use to communicate with. The communication boards consist of symbols, pictures and or photos that enable non-speaking or minimally speaking children to communicate with those around them. The boards feature a variety of graphics representing feelings, actions, activities, and question symbols. By pointing to a specific image or symbol, those with speech and language difficulties will be able to communicate with those around them and minimise frustrations or misunderstandings. These communication boards will not only make our playgrounds more inclusive but will raise awareness, offer social and emotional growth as well as support socialisation opportunities.
Local councillor Frank Quinlan said “that he was committed to the campaign since receiving the request where he highlighted that this initiative is something that could make a huge difference to a child’s day. There are lots of kids that are non-verbal and have special needs and it’s a way of communicating with their parents or with people, for example if they want to go to the toilet, they can point at the boards and the symbols will show what they want to do if the [children] can’t express what they want to say. I’m delighted to see them rolled out across the parks and playgrounds”.
For more information please contact, Pauline Casey, our Sports Inclusion Development Officer:
Phone: 086 7837385
Email: pcasey@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
Article Modified: September 07, 2024 3:26 pm
