Playground Communication Boards: Enhancing Inclusive Play at the Play for All Park

Caroline Osborn, a recent graduate of Speech-Language Pathology from the Moody Honors Program at the University of Texas, had the opportunity to see her hard work, promoting inclusivity and communication accessibility in playgrounds settings, pay off on Saturday, May 11^th. Through her honors capstone project Osborn successfully presented the idea of installing multiple permanent communication boards across the Play for All Park in Round Rock, Tx, to the Play for All Foundation. The Foundation agreed to fund the inclusivity project, further expanding the range of play experiences available to children with communicative differences available in the Play for All Park. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization which raises money for maintenance and additions to the park, in addition to educating the public on the benefits of inclusive play.

Communication boards, a form of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), utilize symbols, numbers, and letters to enable individuals to express their wants and needs non-verbally. These boards are invaluable tools for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disorders, language delays, strokes, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, deafness, and more. Additionally, communication boards benefit shy children, infants, and those who speak languages other than English.

The installation of communication boards at Play For All Park serves multiple purposes: 

• Inclusion: Ensuring that every child, regardless of communication ability, has a voice and can actively participate in play and community interactions.
• Advocacy: Raising awareness about alternative communication methods and sparking conversations about invisible disabilities.
• Learning: Providing visual representations of language for children to practice and develop emerging language skills.

Four communication boards have already been installed throughout the Play for All Park, marking the beginning of a new era of inclusive play and communication accessibility in Round Rock, Tx.

Caroline Osborn’s project exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives to foster inclusivity and advocacy for individuals with communicative differences. Through their dedication and passion, Osborn and the Play for All Foundation are making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families in Round Rock, Tx.

For more information about the Play for All Abilities Park or to donate to the Play for All Foundation, visit https://play4all.org/

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Source: City of Round Rock