Creating Inclusive Playgrounds: The Proclamation of Communication Board Day

With the proclamation of “Communication Board Day,” the city celebrated the remarkable contributions of Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP, and her collaboration with Smarty Symbols.

Creating Inclusive Playgrounds: The Proclamation of Communication Board Day

On April 24, 2024, the City of Plantation, Florida, made history by proclaiming “Communication Board Day,” a groundbreaking initiative that marks a significant step towards creating inclusive playgrounds and public spaces. This momentous day celebrates the exceptional contributions of Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP, and her collaboration with Smarty Symbols. Together, they have pioneered the installation of bilingual communication boards in public playgrounds, fostering an environment where every child, regardless of their verbal abilities, can communicate effectively. This proclamation not only highlights the importance of inclusivity and communication accessibility but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for other communities to follow suit.

Pamela Rowe's Vision and Initiative:

Pamela Rowe Communication Board in Plantation Florida

Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP (She/Her), is a Public Health Advocate, International Keynote Speaker and Moderator, CEO/Clinical Director, and owner of a private practice speech therapy clinic in Plantation, FL. Driven by a mission to make her community more inclusive, Pamela is deeply committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their verbal abilities, has the opportunity to communicate effectively and participate fully in community life.

Inspired by Barbara Fernandes, CEO of Smarty Symbols, and her mission to create inclusive environments for children with autism and multiple disabilities, Pamela recognized the significant impact that bilingual communication boards could have in her own community. Understanding the critical role that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and parents of children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) play in advocating for these inclusive ideas, Pamela took action.

Pamela actively advocated for the installation of communication boards with the City of Plantation, making a compelling case for their inclusion in public playgrounds. She worked closely with city officials, highlighting the benefits these boards would provide for children with communication challenges and their families. This advocacy was essential in gaining the city’s support and commitment to the project.

Smarty Symbols' Role in Making Communities More Inclusive

Smarty Symbols, under the leadership of CEO Barbara Fernandes, is renowned for its dedication to creating innovative and inclusive visual support solutions. The company’s mission is to develop tools that empower individuals, particularly those with communication differences, to express themselves and engage more fully with their communities. Smarty Symbols’ commitment to inclusivity is evident in the design and customization of their products, which are tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse populations.

The collaboration between Pamela Rowe and Smarty Symbols was instrumental in bringing the vision of inclusive playgrounds to life in Plantation, Florida. Smarty Symbols provided their expertise and resources to design and produce bilingual communication boards that are both user-friendly and accessible. These boards feature a range of diverse human representations and bilingual options to reflect the multicultural fabric of the community.

Each communication board was carefully customized to cater to the specific needs of children with different communication styles, such as those with autism or multiple disabilities. The boards include QR codes that link to the Expressive GO app, offering families instant access to a free speech generation tool. This integration of technology ensures that the boards are not only static tools but also dynamic resources that can grow with the needs of the community.

smarty symbols playground communication board with pamela rowe Florida

Barbara Fernandes highlighted the significance of this collaboration in a LinkedIn post: “In December, my colleague Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP, reached out to me about making her community more inclusive with the boards I design. Today, she was recognized in a way that I can hope organizations take note and follow suit. 👏 well done City of Plantation, Florida! She received a proclamation for Communication Board Day! For those of us advocating for inclusion and awareness, this level of mainstream support and recognition causes ripples of impact. I don’t believe I have EVER SEEN such level of recognition before.”

The impact of Smarty Symbols’ work is far-reaching. By creating these communication boards, they have helped to foster a more inclusive environment where children with communication challenges can interact more easily with their caregivers and peers. These boards also serve as educational tools, helping young children learn new vocabulary and improve their reading skills.

Proclamation of Communication Board Day:

The City of Plantation’s decision to proclaim April 24, 2024, as “Communication Board Day” marks a significant milestone in the journey towards inclusivity and accessibility. This proclamation is a testament to the city’s commitment to creating public spaces that are welcoming and accommodating to all, regardless of their communication abilities.

In a heartwarming ceremony, city officials and community members gathered to unveil the bilingual communication boards at various playgrounds across Plantation. The event was a celebration of the hard work and dedication of Pamela Rowe and her collaboration with Smarty Symbols. One of the photos captured during the ceremony shows Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP, and a city official proudly unveiling a communication board at Plantation Woods Park. The image highlights the significance of the moment as they remove the covering, revealing the thoughtfully designed board that will serve as a vital communication tool for children with limited verbal abilities.

Communication board day playground boards Florida

In alignment with National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, the City of Plantation made an announcement on their social media: “May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, and thanks to a generous donation of nine bilingual playground communication boards by Speech Language Pathologist, Pamela Rowe, we are now facilitating communication between children and their caregivers and peers. The playground communication board is a composition of images specifically selected to support communication by pointing or touching one of the multiple images. This will assist children with limited verbal communication, such as children with autism or children with multiple disabilities. The boards can also serve as a tool to facilitate young children’s learning of new vocabulary and reading. There is also a QR code that can be scanned for digital features.

city of plantation adds playground communication board in FLorida with Smarty Symbols and Pamela Rowe

The communication boards can be found at the following playgrounds:

  • Central Park
  • Deicke Park
  • Jacaranda Lakes Park
  • Jim Ward Community Center
  • Pine Island Park (to be installed along with a new playground)
  • Plantation Woods at the Plantation Community Center
  • Seminole Park
  • Sunset Park
  • Camp Everglades at Volunteer Park

Barbara Fernandes, CEO of Smarty Symbols, expressed her admiration for the city’s efforts in a LinkedIn post: “Today, Pamela Rowe was recognized in a way that I can hope organizations take note and follow suit. 👏 well done City of Plantation, Florida! For those of us advocating for inclusion and awareness, this level of mainstream support and recognition causes ripples of impact. I don’t believe I have EVER SEEN such a level of recognition before.

Recognizing Pamela Rowe’s public service and her business’s contribution to the city is crucial. Her dedication to advocating for and sponsoring the communication boards has created a lasting impact on Plantation. Pamela’s efforts highlight the power of individual action and advocacy in driving meaningful change. Her work has not only provided essential resources for children with communication differences but has also set a precedent for how communities can become more inclusive and supportive.

This recognition not only honors Pamela’s efforts but also encourages other professionals to take similar initiatives to promote inclusivity. By leveraging her expertise and resources, Pamela has demonstrated how impactful it can be to invest in community projects that promote accessibility and inclusion.

Each communication board installed across Plantation’s playgrounds includes an innovative QR code that significantly enhances its functionality. When scanned, this QR code provides users with instant access to a digital replica of the board via the Expressive GO app. This app is designed to extend the board’s communication capabilities to mobile devices, allowing children and their caregivers to use the same visual supports on the go. The seamless integration of the QR code ensures that communication tools are always within reach, making it easier for children with limited verbal abilities to express themselves both in public spaces and at home.

Call to Action and Future Implications:

The success of Communication Board Day in Plantation serves as an inspiration for other communities to prioritize inclusivity. Smarty Symbols’ ongoing mission to create inclusive environments continues to make a significant impact, and their role as a leader in this space is undeniable. This initiative highlights the importance of continued support and recognition of inclusive efforts, ensuring that every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

Let this be a call to action for communities and organizations around the world to follow Plantation’s example. By advocating for and implementing inclusive solutions, we can create public spaces that accommodate the needs of all individuals. Together, we can make a difference by fostering environments where every child has the opportunity to communicate effectively and participate fully in community life.

Join us in celebrating this historic event and supporting the mission to create inclusive playgrounds and public spaces. Together, we can make a difference.

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