🤸♀️🛝Students at Black Mountain Primary School now have a new way to connect and communicate during recess thanks to the addition of an adaptive communication sign on the school’s playgrounds.
The sign features symbols, words, and visual communication tools that allow students to express their needs, feelings, and ideas while playing outside. Students can use the board to communicate with their peers, teachers, and staff members.
The project was a longtime dream of Speech-Language Pathologist Beth Eckstein, who recognized the need for additional communication supports beyond the classroom. Working alongside fellow educators and supporters, Ms. Eckstein helped bring the adaptive communication sign to life.
“The sign gives students another voice on the playground,” said Ms. Eckstein. “Every child deserves the opportunity to communicate, connect with friends, and have fun. My hope is that this becomes a model for other schools and playgrounds so more students can benefit from accessible communication tools.”
The sign is designed to support students with a variety of communication needs, while also encouraging all children to learn different ways to communicate, read, and interact with one another.
The installation comes at a special time for Eckstein, who is retiring after three decades in education. As she concludes her career, she hopes the adaptive communication sign will leave a lasting impact on the students at Black Mountain Primary and inspire similar projects in schools and playgrounds across the region.
