Summary: The Willow Park Police Department has installed a very special Communications Board in the Cross Timbers Park, at the corner of Ranch House Road and Stagecoach Trail. People of all ages, who have difficulty speaking with their natural senses, may use this board to communicate their needs to others.
Latest Update: Friday, 22 September, 2023
Update: Special Communication Board in WP Cross Timber Park
The Willow Park Police Department has installed a very special Communications Board in the Cross Timbers Park, at the corner of Ranch House Road and Stagecoach Trail. People of all ages, who have difficulty speaking with their natural senses, may use this board to communicate their needs to others.
The Communication Board allows the user to point to pictures, allowing the user to express their wants, needs, and feelings. Symbols on the board are taken from communication programs which have been selected by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to be effective for use on playgrounds.
Through his company, The Marshall Racing Project 33. LLC, Willow Park citizen Ever Gomez sponsored the entire cost of the new Communication Board. (Willow Park Civics Blog >Willow Park citizen Ever Gomez steps up to support Communication Board, 02 August 2023)
The City's Parks Board is planning to install these Communication Boards throughout the City's developing parks and trails system.
The “secret” has been installed. We hope other cities add a similar board, especially those all around Parker County!
We all strive for a safe and inclusive environment here in Willow Park. A Communication Board in Cross Timbers Park could not be a more perfect addition.
The purpose of a communication board is to provide children and adults with a way to non-verbally communicate with those around them.
The board allows the user to point to pictures, allowing them to express their wants, needs, and feelings. Symbols on the board are taken from communication programs which have been selected by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to be effective for use on playgrounds. Speech programs used by schools and therapies also use the same or similar pictures to help children learn to speak, especially those with Autism. The board has English on one side, Spanish on the other, and includes braille. These amenities allow children and adults to communicate when they may not be able to, such as those who are non-verbal or delayed speech (Autism, Down Syndrome, Apraxia), impaired speech due to stroke or traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairments (Alzheimer’s, Dementia), vision or hearing impairments, young children who are learning to speak, and those with learning disabilities. These boards are also a great tool for neurotypical children and adults to learn how to communicate with those who utilize speech programs for communication.
Lieutenant Ramirez originally presented the idea of a communication board to Chief Franklin. Chief Franklin agreed the board would be a valuable asset to not only our community, but also to first responders interacting with our neurodivergent residents and visitors. Lt. Ramirez then presented the request of adding a Communication Board to Planning and Development Director Tony Fisher. Both Toni and Lt. Ramirez agreed that adding a communication board would be greatly beneficial to the community and potentially to other areas such as trails and additional city playgrounds. Lt. Ramirez presented the request to the Parks Board, at their meeting on Tuesday May 2, 2023. After an explanation of the board’s purpose, the Parks Board agreed the board would benefit and help bring an equitable environment to our playgrounds and ultimately approved the purchase.
We are hoping this board, along with our existing Take Me Home Program, will continue to provide inclusive and equitable service to our community
Originally posted 15 May 2023
During the 02 May 2023 Parks Board Meeting, Willow Park Police Sergeant Ramirez made a professional and personal presentation to the Board on the benefits of Communication Boards in public areas, especially those where children congregate such as playgrounds, parks, and trails.
NOTE: If you or a company you know would like to sponsor one of these Communication Boards, contact Toni Fisher, Planning & Development Director, (817) 441-7108 x100
"To use the communication boards, children point to pictures on the display to express their thoughts and feelings. The symbols on the board were taken from a communication product called TouchChat and were selected by speech-language pathologists specifically for use on playgrounds. The boards, which also include braille, are designed to encourage a sense of community as well as an inclusive, more equitable play environment." [2]
Sergeant Ramirez reported the following:
The purpose of a Communication Board is to provide a voice for those with communication challenges, as their way to “speak” and communicate with others
It is a structured way to interact and connect for those with, but not limited to, Autism, Down Syndrome, other developmental delays, and those who are hearing or visually impaired.
The photos on the board come from speech programs which are used as effective forms of communication by Speech language Pathologist/Therapist and, in application programs such as Proloquo2Go. These programs are used by both children and adults.
The communication board includes English on one side and Spanish on the other. Braille is also added for those with hearing/vision impairments.
This board will assist first responders and community members during times of need
Willow Park Civics Research and Sources 1. Howard County Unveils Two Innovative Nonverbal Communication Boards at Blandair Park Playground, Howard County [MD], 15 April 2023
2. Nonverbal Communication Boards Installed At New HoCo Playground, 19 April 2021, Excerpts
Two innovative nonverbal communication boards have been installed at Blandair Regional Park’s new “Play for All” playground. The boards, which were partially funded by the Howard County Autism Society, allow nonverbal children to communicate without the use of personal augmentative and alternative communication devices. The 300-acre park’s Play for All playground is set to open this spring.
To use the communication boards, children point to pictures on the display to express their thoughts and feelings. The symbols on the board were taken from a communication product called TouchChat and were selected by speech-language pathologists specifically for use on playgrounds. The boards, which also include braille, are designed to encourage a sense of community as well as an inclusive, more equitable play environment, according to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.
“Howard County is constantly working towards creating a more inclusive community, for all,” Ball said. “These communication boards are a welcome addition to this state-of-the-art park and will allow for more of our children of all abilities to have a positive experience at our playground.”
• Touch Chat Communicating with the world around you is challenging when you have difficulty speaking with your natural voice. Using the familiarity of iOS technology, the TouchChat app offers you a dynamic communication solution with easy-to-customize features and a wide range of vocabularies. Touch Chat also offers Head Tracking, Split Screen, Live online webinars and video tutorials.
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