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Communication Boards

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 An image of Haliburton County's alternative and augmentative communication board. A printable copy of the board and a list of the words used on the board is available below this image.

 Download a copy of Haliburton County's playground communication board.

 Park Communication Station 2024 (PDF)

 Download a list of the words used on the communication board.
 (Coming soon)

An alternative and augmentative (symbols) communication board outside in a park. An alternative and augmentative (symbols) communication board outside in a park.

Park Communication Station : Rotary Beach Park in Haliburton

An alternative and augmentative (symbols) communication board outside in a park. An alternative and augmentative (symbols) communication board outside in a park.

Park Communication Station : Head Lake Park in Haliburton

The first playground communication boards in Haliburton County were installed at Head Lake Park and Rotary Beach Park in Haliburton in fall 2024. To read the media release for this project, please visit the News section. 

What is a communication board?

Communication boards are an Augmentative and Alternative Communication [AAC] tool that display symbols of commonly used words and phrases. They make communication accessible to everyone, including people with speech and language barriers. They make a thought or spoken message visible.

Image reads: AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It refers to tools and strategies that can enhance speech or provide a completely different means of communication. AAC can be aided (i.e.: using a tool) or unaided (i.e. no tool needed), such as sign language or gestures. The truth is we all use some AAC. We text, type, write and use gestures. Additional tools, such as communication devices, books or apps, can provide a means of communication for individuals who are unable to speak or for whom speech is not always their primary mode. AAC is any form of communication used to express thoughts, needs, wants and ideas including sign language, vocalizations, gestures, braille and text or symbol selection in a communication book, on a symbol board, on speech-generating devices, or on electronic tablets and phones.

Sometimes people use AAC temporarily, when they are developing spoken speech or have a short-term condition that prevents speech.

Sometimes people use AAC long-term, as children or adults, if they have a chronic or ongoing condition.

We all use different forms of communication to connect.

 

Haliburton County’s communication board project

The layout and production of Haliburton County’s playground communication board by MacArt Studios uses Picture Communication Symbols and was created in collaboration with municipal staff, and with feedback from augmentative and alternative communication [AAC] users; the County’s joint accessibility committee; speech language pathologists and occupational therapists; and local caregivers, organizations and agencies that support people with communication challenges including people with disabilities, early learners, and newcomers to the community.

The installation of communication boards in our playgrounds helps to create a barrier-free society. They promote inclusion and raise awareness and education of complex communication needs as well as augmentative and alternative communication [AAC].

Some first responders throughout Haliburton County have an emergency communication board available in their vehicles. Please click the image below to download this board.

An emergency communication board with symbols to be used as augmentative and alternative communication in case of an emergency.

 

How to use a communication board

There are many ways to use a communication board. There is no wrong or right way to use the board. Anyone can use it!

You can point to, gesture at, or look at the words you’d like to communicate, while saying them if you are able.

You don’t have to point at every word in a sentence. To say, “Do you want to play,” say that while pointing to the word, “play.” Say, “Let’s go to the swings,” while pointing to the words “go,” and then “swing set.”

Have fun!

Watch an Aided Language Stimulation video to learn more.

 

Additional resources

 Local services and support
 

Alzheimer Society: Communicating with people living with dementia

Five Counties Children’s Centre: Augmentative Communication

March of Dimes Canada: Aphasia Services

Aphasia Institute

 Online references
 

The AAC Coach

PicSeePal: Free light-tech communication boards

What is AAC?: An introduction

 

For more information

 Accessibility in Haliburton County
 Accessibility page
 Community Safety and Well-Being in Haliburton County
 CSWB page

 

PCS® is a trademark of Tobii Dynavox LLC. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

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County of Haliburton Administration Office
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