Playground Communication Boards
Welcome to the Future of Inclusive Play
Playground communication boards are powerful tools designed to send a visible message of inclusivity, promoting social interaction among children of all abilities. These innovative boards provide choice and independence, helping to reduce frustration and encourage collaborative play in diverse playground settings. Playground communication boards provide complete accessbility to public spaces – physical access and access to communication.
In recent years, the push for truly inclusive play has moved beyond physical ramps and rubber surfacing. Playground communication boards have emerged as the vital third pillar of accessibility: communication access. These boards are permanently installed, weather-resistant signs featuring symbols, pictures, or icons that allow children who are nonverbal, have autism, or speak different languages to interact with their peers.
The beauty of playground communication boards lies in their simplicity. By providing a visual anchor for language, these boards remove the “invisible barriers” to play. When a child can point to an icon for “slide,” “swing,” or “my turn,” the frustration of being misunderstood vanishes. This leads to longer play sessions, fewer behavioral meltdowns, and a genuine sense of belonging for every child who visits the park.
The Science of Inclusion: Why Visual Supports Work Outdoors
Research in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) shows that high-stimulation environments like playgrounds can make verbal communication difficult for neurodivergent children. The noise of shouting, the movement of swings and the sensory input of wind and sun can lead to “communication breakdown.”
Playground communication boards act as a static reference point. Unlike spoken words, which disappear the moment they are said, the icons on our playground communication boards stay put. This “permanent modeling” allows children to process language at their own pace. Furthermore, by using industry-standard symbol sets like Boardmaker© and SymbolStix©, we ensure that children are seeing the same language on the playground that they use in their classrooms or on their personal speech-generating devices.
ADA Compliance and Universal Design for Play
While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has long focused on physical mobility, the concept of “Universal Design” is evolving. Experts now agree that a playground isn’t truly accessible if a child can get onto the equipment but cannot interact with the children around them. Including playground communication boards in your park design is a proactive step toward meeting Universal Design standards.
Many municipalities and school districts are now prioritizing playground communication boards when applying for inclusive play grants. These boards serve as a visible signal to families that your community values neurodiversity as much as physical diversity.
Designed for all Communicators:
- Our playground communication boards support nonverbal, minimally verbal, and emerging communicators
- Enables individuals with speech or language difficulties to express needs, wants and feelings in a noisy or nonverbal environment.
- We hold licensing for Boardmaker© and SymbolStix© symbols, making transitions easier for AAC users.
Sends a Visible Message of Inclusivity
- Playground communciation boards help build welcoming communities centered around acceptance and accessibility.
- Communication boards rise awareness and playground accessibility beyond just physical. access
Encourages Social Interaction & Collaborative Play
- All children can use the playground communication boards to communicate, fostering inclusion and socialization.
- Individuals can express their feelings – reducing frustration and possible ‘melt-downs’
- Bridges the communication gap and can provide multi-language communication.
- Provides Independence for children with communication differences to actively participate in play without relying solely on caregivers to interpret their needs.
Enhances Safety
- Playground communication boards provide clear communication options help individuals convey concerns, such as feeling too hot or needing a break from play.
- Provides a multilingual form of communication
Choosing the Right Material: Why Aluminum Composite
When selecting playground communication boards, durability is the most critical factor. Unlike indoor clinic boards, outdoor boards must face UV rays, extreme temperature fluctuations and potential vandalism.
Our playground communication boards are manufactured using high-grade Aluminum Composite. This material is specifically chosen because it does not rust, warp or delaminate like PVC or wood. The graphics are printed with UV-resistant inks and finished with a protective coating that allows for easy cleaning—even if hit with graffiti or mud. When you invest in playground communication boards from Resources at Lakeshore Speech, you aren’t just buying a sign; you are installing a permanent fixture that will serve your community for years to come.
$550 - $675
- Available in 3 sizes : 2’x3′, 4’x2′ and 3’x2′
- 100% customizable
- Availalbe with Boardmaker or SymbolStix symbol systems.
- Color code system available: Modified Fitzgerald or Gossens’
- Made to order
- Inventory: In Stock
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Across the Country Giving Everyone a Voice
Playground Communication Boards –Standard Vocabulary and Layout
- Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC playground communication boards are 100% customizable to meet the individual needs of you and your project.
- Standard vocabulary and layout for playground communication boards is pictured.
- Click to enlarge the image for more comfortable viewing.
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