JAMES CITY COUNTY — Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (WJCC) partnered with James City County to bring augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) boards originally designed for school playgrounds to seven James City County parks.
The goal of the signs is to make it easier for non-verbal children to communicate with other children and adults at the parks they are visiting parks and recreational areas in the James City County area, according to an announcement from WJCC Schools.
Installation of the signs began this month. The signs are going up at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Freedom Park, James City County Recreation Center Park, Little Creek Reservoir Park, Veterans Park (Kidsburg), and Warhill Sports Complex both at the baseball and football fields.
“We designed these signs to increase opportunities for students with limited expressive language within our schools to communicate and interact. We are thrilled our partnership with James City County Parks & Recreation means these signs will be available to more children in the community at nearby parks,” said Adam Brown, Ed.D., Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools Director of Special Education.
According to WJCC Schools, the idea behind the signs is that those with limited expressive language can point to symbols to express themselves. Teachers or adults can also point to symbols to help model behavior, ask questions, or give instructions to children with limited verbal abilities. The signs are already encouraging inclusivity at schools by giving other students another way to communicate with fellow non-verbal students, it said.
“We’re always striving to be more inclusive and accessible, and working with the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools on this project will allow children of all abilities to have a positive experience while on our playgrounds and in our parks,” said Inclusion Coordinator Tracy Newsom.
In the 2021-22 school year, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools installed 49 communication boards on playgrounds and throughout nine elementary schools. The signs were an instant hit and continue to be installed at other schools in the division, according to WJCC Schools.
