In this week’s blog, learn how to model and encourage the use of communication boards to increase communication and build meaningful relationships.
Continue readingHow To Encourage The Use of Communication Boards
How To Build Compassion In Our Community : Understand AAC Better
Learn how understanding the use of AAC can build a community of compassionate accepting individuals.
Continue readingHow To Make Sure Inclusive Playgrounds Have What They Need
Inclusive playgrounds create an environment of acceptance for all children. When designing a playground it is important to include the key elements.
Continue readingHow to Get a Playground Communication Board for Your Local Playground
Imagine this: the sun shining, laughter echoing, and kids of all abilities playing together on the playground. Wouldn’t that be incredible? YOU can make this happen! Introducing a special communication board to your community playground, ensures that every child, regardless of their communication abilities, can join in the fun.
**Why a Playground Communication Board?**
Some of our friends need a little extra help talking. A communication board on the playground opens up a world of play and connection for everyone. It’s not just a board; it’s a bridge that connects hearts and creates lasting friendships.
**How Can You Help?**
We believe in the power of community! By making a commitment to provide a playground communication board to your local playground, you become a superhero in making the playground inclusive and accessible for all. Here are 5 easy steps for how you can be a part of this exciting journey:
**Make a plan:**
Ask yourself (and your committee) these questions as this project takes shape:
- What playground would benefit from communication boards?
- What languages are predominantly spoken in your community?
- How would the communication boards best be installed (ie: free standing in a frame, attached to a fence, attached to a piece of equipment, secured to a side of a building, etc.)
**Research Your Options**
When looking for a company to provide the communication signs, you want to ask the following questions:
- Has a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist developed the vocabulary?
- Can the communication sign be 100% customized if need be at a reasonable price?
- Is the overall price reasonable?
- Is communication with a REAL PERSON easy, efficient and effective?
- Does the company stand behind the quality of their communication signs?
Everyone likes to be part of a great idea that helps everyone in the community.
- Research different funding opportunities in your community.
- Get creative and host a mini-fundraiser in your neighborhood, school, or workplace. Bake sales, garage sales, or even a fun-themed event can make a big impact.
- Reach Out to Local Businesses – local businesses love supporting community projects. Approach them and see if they would be interested in sponsoring our playground communication board.
**Making it all come together**
Once your vision is set, you’ve made your selection and the funding is in place, it is important that the production of the communication sign is fast and accurate:
- Ensure you receive a draft copy of the artwork/layout prior to production.
- Share your agency’s and/or funding source’s logo to be included on the communication sign
- Expect frequent and clear communication
**Celebrate**
When your playground communication board arrives, plan for a playground part to unveil this great accomplishment. Celebrate the fact that you have made a firm statement in your community that:
- Inclusivity Matters: Every child deserves the chance to play and communicate on the playground.
- Building Friendships is Important: The communication board isn’t just a tool; it’s a bridge to new friendships and shared adventures.
- Community Unity Matters: Together, you helped to create a community that embraces and supports every child’s unique abilities.
Bonus tip:
**Stay Connected:**
Record your journey on social media with regular updates, stories of triumph, and a behind-the-scenes look at how your contributions are making a real difference.
Join us in creating a playground that speaks the language of joy, friendship, and inclusivity. Together, we’re building bridges that last a lifetime!
Days Before Christmas
‘Twas days before Christmas
And all thru the place,
Anticipation was brewing
Behaviors a disgrace.
Young and old are excited
Let’s celebrate – oh Joy!
Use your expected social skills
For every girl and boy.
With gifts a plenty
Don’t forget the magic word,
For friends and family,
“Thank you” must be heard.
All the smells and sounds
For many is bliss,
Yet other lament
“I can do without this!”
Have a plan in place
Creating comfort abound,
Makes for a season
Of happiness all ‘round.
Happy Holidays to all
The message to you each,
Tidings of joy to everyone
From Lakeshore Speech!
How to Prepare for Gift Giving and Receiving
Getting and giving gifts can be exciting but hard for some individuals. Preparing for this time of the year helps to make everyone’s celebration special.
Continue readingHow to Fund Playground Communication Boards
Communication boards are important for people with communication differences. Communication boards give people a voice to build relationships. Getting a playground or pool communication board can be more difficult because of the cost. Today’s blog will look at the different ways to get funding for communication boards.
Grants and Foundations
Some groups give money to projects that help people with disabilities. Look for grants from groups that help provide communication devices for people. Apply for these grants to get money for communication boards.
Corporate Sponsorship
Ask local businesses for help. Some companies like to support projects in their community. Make a plan that shows how playground communication boards can make a big difference. This might get businesses to give money to your project.
Crowdfunding Campaigns
Use websites like Kickstarter or GoFundMe to ask for small amounts of money from many people. Share stories about why playground/pool communication boards are important. Your friends and others might give money to help out.
Community Events and Fundraisers
Do things in your town to get people excited about helping. Maybe have a walk or a fun run to get money. Work with local schools and businesses to make events that bring in money for playground communication boards.
Government Grants and Programs
Sometimes, the government gives money for projects that help people with disabilities. Look into these grants and ask for help. Tell them how playground communication boards can make a positive change.
Partnerships with Educational Institutions
Work with schools and colleges that have programs for special education. They might help with resources and money. Partnering with them can make it easier to get playground communication boards.
Conclusion
Getting money for playground communication boards may require you to try different ways to find funding, but you can make it happen. By using these ideas, you can get the help to change the lives of many. As more people understand why playground/pool communication boards matter, it will be easier to get support and provide everyone a voice.
Help your Community – Shop Local
In a world dominated by large corporations, the importance of supporting small businesses cannot be overlooked. Choosing to shop small is a powerful decision that goes through communities, increasing economic growth, uniqueness, and a stronger sense of connection.
Continue readingImproving Inclusivity in City Parks
Playgrounds are loved by young and old. Playground communication boards play an important role in creating a sense of inclusivity, support and community in city playgrounds.
Continue readingExpress your love!
February – the month of love; loving and caring for our family, our friends, our significant other. Everyone needs a little help now and then. Helping our loved ones express themselves is important in February and all year through. Expressing one’s self cannot be limited to talking. Expressions of love come in variety of shapes, colors, and sounds. Give your loved ones the opportunity to express and communicate with the world.
Opportunities to communicate happen every minute of the day, knowing the best or most effective way to communicate may take some practice. Give you and your loved the time to practice. This practice doesn’t have to take long or even have a lot of ‘moving parts’. Valentine’s day is only a few days away, what a wonderful reason to practice and share your loved one’s communication skills with the special people in their lives. Here are a few ideas to get your creative communication juices flowing.
Teach your loved one the sign for “I love you”. Remember to teach those in your lives the sign as well so when your love one signs “I love you”, the recipient will understand that wonderful message. 
Use a speech bubble and write a Valentine’s message in the bubble or a simple heart cut from paper. Have your loved one hold the speech bubble or heart and snap a picture. Whose day won’t be uplifted receiving that message via text or email?
Using pink or red lipstick/chapstick, have your loved one decorate a Valentine with lip prints by having them kiss the paper. Not only is this just adorable, but it’s a GREAT oral motor exercise for speech.- Simple communication boards or pictures are also a great way of communicating. Making a video of your loved one creating a message and send it out via text or email will definitely brighten the day!
Let the world hear your loved ones message loud and clear this Valentine’s Day!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC