CHANDLER, Ariz. – Chandler Parks and Recreation is excited to unveil new communication boards at Tumbleweed Park and Apache Park to support inclusive play and accessibility for all visitors. Tumbleweed Park is located at 2250 S. McQueen Road and Apache Park is located at 1300 N. Hartford St.
These boards, placed near playgrounds, are designed to empower children and visitors who experience speech or language challenges. Each board features 72 colorful symbols representing common emotions, actions, playground equipment and activities. The boards are designed to assist individuals who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. By pointing to the symbol, each labeled in English and Spanish, users can better communicate with their caretakers and peers at the park.
To celebrate the new communication board installations, the City of Chandler is hosting a community unveiling at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 18, at Playtopia in Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road. Families are encouraged to join the fun, meet representatives from The SPEAK Center and pick up lanyards providing mobile access to the communication board symbols. Light refreshments will be provided.
“Chandler’s parks are cherished spaces by children of all ages and abilities,” said John Sefton, community services director. “These boards help bridge communication gaps and foster friendships and connections that might not have been possible before. The installation of these communication tools is a meaningful step toward making our parks welcoming for everyone.”
The boards were designed by Smarty Symbols, a leading platform for designing visual communication solutions aimed at fostering inclusion in public spaces. They were installed in partnership with The SPEAK Center for Language and Learning, a Chandler-based center that provides innovative speech, language, feeding, occupational and music therapy services for school-aged children.
“The SPEAK Center for Language and Learning is honored to sponsor the installation of communication boards in Chandler’s city parks,” said Ebony Green, CEO of The SPEAK Center for Language and Learning. “These communication boards are a vital resource for children who are non-verbal or minimally verbal, allowing them to express themselves and engage with their surroundings in a way that wasn’t possible before. This initiative is especially meaningful to us, as it creates a more inclusive environment for children with disabilities and their families. We are grateful to the City of Chandler for collaborating with us on this important project, and we’re excited to see the positive impact it will have on the community.”
To learn more about Chandler Parks & Recreation’s designation as a Certified Autism Center, please visit Certified Autism Center.
Media contact:
Malori Heppler
Marketing and Communications Program Coordinator
480-782-2910