Communication Boards installed in Haliburton County parks to promote inclusion and accessibility

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                     

First Communication Boards installed in Haliburton County parks to promote inclusion and accessibility

December 10th  - County of Haliburton, ON – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In an exciting step toward fostering inclusion and enhancing accessibility, the first Augmentative and Alternative [AAC] Communication Boards in Haliburton County have been installed at Head Lake Park and Rotary Beach Park in Haliburton, ensuring that people of all abilities can enjoy meaningful communication and social interaction together.

These new communication boards are intended to promote inclusion and raise awareness and education of complex communication needs, as well as augmentative and alternative communication.

“We are excited to see communication boards introduced to public spaces in our community,” said Liz Danielsen, Warden, County of Haliburton. “Communication boards highlight the importance of accessibility and inclusion in our County for all residents, including people who communicate in a variety of ways.”

The communication boards are strategically placed in the playgrounds, and feature a range of Picture Communication Symbols (images and words) that allow people to communicate their needs, wants and ideas or simply play and engage in creative games.

MacArt Studios created the layout and production of Haliburton County’s playground communication board in collaboration with municipal staff, and with feedback from area residents; the County’s Joint Accessibility Committee; speech language pathologists and occupational therapists; and caregivers, organizations and agencies that support people with communication challenges.

The first County-funded Communication Board was installed in Head Lake Park in Haliburton, and through federal and provincial funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, a second board was installed by the Municipality of Dysart et al at Rotary Beach Park in Haliburton.

“This project reflects our ongoing dedication to accessibility and community-building and I am proud to see it come to life,” said Walt McKechnie, Deputy-Mayor, Dysart et al, and member of the County of Haliburton Joint Accessibility Committee.

The Joint Accessibility Committee plans to expand the initiative to additional playgrounds across the County in the coming year, continuing its commitment to working toward a barrier-free community where all people have equal opportunity to live, visit, raise a family, work and retire.

For more information about the County of Haliburton’s Joint Accessibility Committee communication board project, please visit https://www.haliburtoncounty.ca/communication-boards/.

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Contact for Media Inquiries: 

County of Haliburton:                                                             
Liz Danielsen, Warden, County of Haliburton                          
Email: ldanielsen@algonquinhighlands.ca                         

Dysart et al:
Andrea Mueller, Manager of Programs & Events
Email: amueller@dysartetal.com