Communication boards have recently been installed at Belvoir Park across the three play spaces, to make the playgrounds more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
These boards aim to improve the experience of people with communication difficulties by allowing them to express their thoughts, needs, wants and ideas by pointing to the symbols.
Two Way Street, a South Australian company that specialises in support for people with complex communication needs, created these boards to be specific to each play space area within Belvoir Park.
The three boards across the Junior Playground, the Upper Play Space and the new Stage 2 Play Space feature icons for key structures and play equipment, as well as standard words or phrases to ensure that everyone can feel accepted, included and welcomed at the park.
These new communication boards can benefit people of all abilities and act as a menu to suggest things a person might like to say, clarify speech when it is difficult to understand, or as a replacement for someone who doesn't use verbal speech.
A QR code is also available to access the communication board on your phone.
Wodonga Council's Team Leader Sport and Recreation Ryan McNamara said the introduction of these boards at Belvoir Park is a welcome addition.
"We want everyone to be able to enjoy our playgrounds and installing a communication board enables inclusion and positive communication for all.
"With these boards we aim to enhance the participation and improve the experience of people with communication difficulties and their carers at Belvoir Park," Ryan said.
Next time you are at Belvoir Park, check out the boards and show your kids how they can use them too!
