OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Children who are nonverbal and use communication devices now have new resources to make their time on the playground more fun.
Communication boards have been installed at two Oshtemo Township playgrounds: Oshtemo Township Park at 7275 West Main Street, and Flesher Field Park, at 3664 South 9th Street.
The boards have pictures that children can point to, allowing them to express their thoughts, feelings, needs, and choices. Oshtemo Charter Township officials say the signs will benefit all playground users, allowing neurotypical children and adults to communicate with those with learning and communication differences.
The communication boards were suggested by Oshtemo Township Trustee Kizzy Bradford, who serves students with special needs at Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS). Bradford teamed with Heather Lewis, KPS Speech/Language Pathologist, and Wendy Horton – Bierema, Arcadia Center for Occupational Therapy, to design the boards.
Funding was provided by a “Play is Essential for All” grant from the Michigan Parks Foundation and from donations from Oshtemo Friends of the Parks and Arcadia Center for Occupational Therapy.
A ceremony to recognize donors and introduce the boards to the community is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, at 5 p.m. at the West Main Street park. The general public is invited to attend.
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