School Playground
A-Frame Communication Board
Inclusion Without Boundaries
Communication Doesn’t Just Happen At a Desk
Inclusive play isn't possible if communication tools are stuck on a wall far from the action. The A-Frame Portable Board ensures that whether a child is at the swings, the sandbox, or the blacktop, their voice goes with them.
Portable Support for Every Zone
K-12 Focused Vocabulary
Unlike standard boards, our A-frame includes 80+ symbols covering playground play, social interaction, and emotional regulation for school-aged students.
Bridge to Literacy
Features a complete QWERTY keyboard and numeric pad, allowing students to transition from symbol-based communication to spelling and core academic skills.
School-Wide Mobility
The lightweight frame includes a molded carry handle and a 10lb fillable ballast base, making it perfect for blacktops, grass, or indoor gyms.
Expert-Led Innovation
Engineered for Social Fluency
Our school playground boards are designed by Speech-Language Pathologists to transition students from basic requesting to complex social interaction and self-advocacy.
80+ Specialized Symbols
An expanded vocabulary set specifically curated for K-12 social play, conflict resolution, and peer-to-peer engagement.Linguistic Complexity
Fitzgerald Key color-coding supports students in moving beyond single words to building grammatically correct, complex sentences.Advanced Literacy Bridge
The integrated QWERTY keyboard and numeric set provide essential support for students transitioning from symbols to traditional literacy.
Select Your Communication Level
All designs are available in High Contrast and include a full QWERTY keyboard.
Preschool Design
Optimized for emergent communicators developing foundational language skills.
- Simplified Grid: 58 core symbols focused on basic needs and social play.
- Visual Clarity: Larger symbol spacing to support early visual scanning skills.
- Academic Ready: Full QWERTY keyboard and numeric pad included.
School Design
Engineered for social fluency and complex peer interaction in K-12 settings.
- Expanded Grid: 80+ symbols covering advanced social play and conflict resolution.
- Emotional Regulation: Comprehensive set of feeling icons for self-advocacy.
- Academic Ready: Full QWERTY keyboard and numeric pad included.
Extend the Experience Anywhere
Speech Generating App for Inclusive Communication
Every communication board from Smarty Symbols comes paired with a complimentary speech-generating app, ensuring that students and staff across all communication abilities have equal access to expressive tools.
Whether used in conjunction with our physical boards or as a standalone digital solution, the free app empowers users to communicate confidently and effectively. This approach equips the entire school population with the tools to engage inclusively.
Purchase boards directly using a school card, or submit an official district Purchase Order.
Order Online (Credit Card) Submit a Purchase Order Download Smarty Symbols W-9Simple Procurement
How to Order for Your District
School Playground A-Frame Communication Board
Price range: $1,200.00 through $3,453.00
Built for Elementary Inclusion
High-impact plastic frame available in black or white to match campus furniture.
Oversized 24” x 36” double-sided display allows multiple peers to interact simultaneously.
Internal ballast system allows for 10 lbs of sand/water to ensure stability during active play.
100% waterproof and impact-resistant 3MM inserts designed for intense daily K-5 use.
Integrated handle and 3” slim-fold design for quick transport between playground and gym.
Graphics printed with sun-safe UV inks to maintain high-contrast legibility for years.
Personalized Communication Boards.
At Smarty Symbols, we understand that each community is unique, and one size does not fit all. We take a personalized approach to design solutions that cater to the specific needs and preferences of each location.
"Empowering inclusive and connected communities, our personalized solutions break barriers and ensure individuals of all abilities can thrive in public spaces designed with their unique needs in mind."
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to your most common questions about our communication boards and services, helping you create a more inclusive and supportive environment from the start.
Yes! The board can be personalized with your school’s name and logo to create a professional and welcoming environment for students. We can also match the color of the board to your district or organization’s logo color for a cohesive look. Once the order is placed, our team will reach out to request a high-resolution version of your logo. You can also customize the vocabulary or symbols used on the board to better fit the specific needs of your students.
You can order the board directly from our website or contact our sales team for a custom quote. After you provide your school’s details, we’ll send you a design proof for approval before production begins. Once the design is finalized, the board will be produced and shipped to you.
The A-frame design is highly portable. It features a foldable frame that collapses to just 3 inches thick for easy storage. The molded handle allows for comfortable carrying, and its lightweight design makes it easy to move around your playground or indoor spaces. You can also add up to 10 lbs of sand or water for extra stability during outdoor use.
The communication board uses the Fitzgerald Key color-coding system, a widely recognized method in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This system categorizes symbols by color to represent different parts of speech, making it easier for students to find and use the correct words. For example, verbs might be in green, nouns in orange, and descriptors in purple. This intuitive system simplifies communication, especially for students with special education needs, by helping them quickly locate the symbols they need to express their thoughts and feelings.
Yes, we offer bilingual boards! We currently have boards available in English/Spanish and English/Portuguese. However, our team is able to design bilingual boards in any language combination at no additional cost. Simply let us know your preferred languages when placing your order, and we will customize the board to meet your needs.
Yes, the A-frame communication board is designed for outdoor use. Made from durable, heavy-duty plastic, the frame and the graphics are weather-resistant, capable of withstanding rain, wind, and sunlight. You can fill the base with sand or water for additional stability in windy conditions.
The frame is designed to be highly stable. You can add up to 10 lbs of water or sand into the frame to keep it securely in place during windy conditions, ensuring that the board stays functional and visible in any weather.
Yes, the A-frame board features the same design on both sides, ensuring clear and consistent communication visibility from either direction, making it accessible and functional no matter where it’s placed on the playground.
Still Unsure?
Every inclusive project is unique. Whether you need a formal quote for a municipal bid or a custom vocabulary design for your facility, we’re here to help.