July 25, 2024
We are excited to introduce our new Outdoor Communication Boards at St.Amant’s 440 River Road campus. This innovative project was inspired by the success of similar boards in Manitoba schools, as discussed by our Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) during Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Special Interest group meetings. These meetings highlighted the positive impact of outdoor core boards on playgrounds, sparking the idea to bring this inclusive feature to St.Amant.
Recognizing the importance of AAC systems, which provide essential communication methods beyond spoken language, our SLP team saw an opportunity to enhance communication accessibility in our outdoor spaces. AAC systems, such as communication boards, are vital for individuals who rely on alternatives to spoken language, ensuring they can participate fully in various activities.
To bring this idea to life, we needed funding, and this is where the St.Amant Foundation played a crucial role. They successfully applied for a grant, securing the necessary funds to complete the project. With funding in place, a dedicated working group from various areas of St.Amant collaborated to make the boards a reality.
The Outdoor Communication Boards are designed to provide accessible communication and social language opportunities for everyone using our outdoor areas. They feature core vocabulary symbols, which represent high-frequency words making up about 80% of everyday communication. These symbols make communication more accessible and engaging, especially for those with complex communication needs or non-speaking individuals.
The boards are now located in Buhler Gardens, River Road Childcare, the Autism outdoor play area, and on the deck at the St.Amant School. Everyone can use the boards by pointing to the symbols to help express themselves and understand others better. Each board includes a QR code linking to our website for more information and instructional videos on how to use them.
We hope these boards will foster greater social interaction, inclusivity, and independence, enhancing effective communication in all aspects of life at St.Amant. By offering enhanced ways to communicate, we aim to create a more inclusive and engaging environment for everyone.
This project was made possible through the support of the Thomas Sill Foundation and the St.Amant Foundation. Their commitment to enhancing communication and inclusivity has been instrumental in bringing these boards to our community. For more information and instructional videos, scan the QR codes on the boards or visit our website. Let’s make communication fun and accessible for everyone!
P.S. If you have an idea or project that could enhance the quality of life for the people we support and it requires funding, please contact Michelle at msankar@stamant.ca. She can help explore potential grants and other resources to make your vision a reality.
