New accessible playground communication boards support inclusive play for all students
CENTRAL LAKE – All young students have one thing in common: They love to have fun on playgrounds. For some students who are nonverbal, expressing their interests and feelings while on the playground can present challenges to their caregivers and teachers.
A recent project will help all students be able to get the most enjoyment out of their playground time. Several entities came together to create and install two new Augmentative and Assisted Communication (AAC) playground signs in Central Lake, at the elementary school and also in the village’s Thurston Park.
“It is so important that we provide every opportunity for each student to be able to communicate their needs, desires, and interests,” said Kelli Knight, a speech and language pathologist who was part of the playground sign planning team.
The Central Lake signs are the result of a partnership between the Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties (GSC), Char-Em ISD, and Central Lake Early Opportunities (CLEO), along with the village of Central Lake and Central Lake Public Schools.
In late summer 2025, Jean Faivor, a Family Liaison with the GSC, met with Central Lake parents to determine support options for children and families. Faivor said they unanimously supported the suggestion to install AAC boards to foster inclusive spaces for all. Funding for the signs was provided by CLEO to the GSC through a grant from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
“Our goal is to foster communication, connection, and curiosity to create an inclusive and literacy-rich community, starting with our youngest citizens,” said Faivor. “We can achieve this by bringing awareness to alternative methods of communication, which empowers non-verbal individuals to engage while also simultaneously informing others of the diversity within our own neighborhoods.”
In developing the signs, Faivor consulted with Knight and Ashley Kotlarz, also a speech and language pathologist for Char-Em ISD. Knight and Kotlarz connected Faivor with LAMP Words for Life communication assets, and the ISD’s communication department developed the signs while the facilities manager installed them at both Central Lake locations on Nov. 18.
At 5’x3’, they are highly visible and easily accessible to many young students.
“The presence of this board on our playground has expanded the range of play experiences available to children enrolled in our programs. Every student can now express their ideas, build relationships, and form connections with peers and teachers outside of the classroom environment,” said Stephanie Stedman, CLPS Director of Early Childhood Programs.
Knight and Kotlarz will now work on creating a video to explain to visitors how to use the boards, via a QR code for easy access to instructions.
“So much communication learning happens during play,” added Knight, “when kids are having fun with their peers.”
