The playground of the Kienehoef regional park in Sint-Oedenrode recently featured a board full of pictures and colors. The communication board ensures that people who cannot speak can still have contact with each other. By simply pointing out what they want to ask, a world opens up for them. “I’m happy that this allows me to play with others,” says 22-year-old Luc van Lieshout.
Just asking if someone wants to go down the slide or swing together seems simple, but that is not for everyone. “Luc always wants to participate, but he has a harder time talking. That was actually always his biggest handicap,” says Chantal Wolters about her son with Down syndrome.
Luc learned to communicate with pictograms through the Milo foundation. “That opened up a world for him,” says Chantal. She knew that communication boards for playgrounds also existed and brought the idea to the attention of GroenLinks-PvdA Meierijstad.
“There was resistance, because it was still unknown why such a sign has added value.”
The signs were developed by the ISAAC-NF foundation, an interest group for people who have difficulty speaking. According to chairman Gerna Scholte, it all started with a single sign. “It often took a lot of effort to get in touch with the right people. There was resistance, because it was still unknown why such a sign has added value. Fortunately, the placing of these signs has taken off in recent years.”
“Policymakers are convinced of the added value,” she adds. And they are also convinced in the municipality of Meierijstad. The motion was unanimously adopted by the city council. Since February, communication boards have been installed at three different locations in the municipality of Meierijstad. “I am very happy that these signs are now here,” says Hanneke van Bakel, former board member at ISAAC-NF and who works at the Milo Foundation.
“I feel that we had to stand on barricades,” says Van Bakel about the beginning of the playground signs. “We wanted to make communication while playing more accessible. In fact, everything we do starts with communication. If you can communicate, then you can participate. If talking doesn’t work, there are alternatives. This is a solution.”
The signs are actually self-explanatory. “It doesn’t need much explanation. That’s its strength. There are many different words in different colors. For example, the green words are verbs, orange are nouns and blue is for expressing your opinion about things.”
“It is an addition to a target group that is often forgotten.”
It is important to Chantal that it works in practice. “I think it’s fantastic that they are there. I saw children standing there a moment ago. Luc can now invite children to play. At first it was less easy. Not everyone had the patience to listen to him or it was more difficult for them to understand him. This way it is possible,” she says proudly, to which Luc responds enthusiastically. “I’m happy that this allows me to play with others.”
