JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Travis Layne, a resident of Marion County, recently presented to the Board of Education an idea to install communication boards across all elementary school playgrounds in the county for non-verbal and verbally impaired students.
During the meeting, Layne explained how he and his family developed a project called, “A Voice for the Voiceless.” The project aims to help establish communication boards across all Marion County elementary schools and park playgrounds through collaborative work with local government bodies.
Layne stated how his grandson is non-verbally autistic, with him required to carry an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device everywhere he goes. The device is used to help autistic or impaired individuals communicate through symbols and buttons. Each one displays various words and expressions as to what the individual is trying to communicate. A communication board shares a similar function. Its built as a physical sign for children to use while at a local playground to communicate with others.
While travelling to different parks across the county during the summer, Layne’s grandson had difficulty trying to play with children at the park’s playground and carry around his AAC device at the same time, prompting him and his family to conduct research as to what the community can do to integrate helpful tools for autistic children.
“We’ve been looking and studying, as well as taking classes online about autism. And what they have is called a communication board. Basically what it is, its just like his device, where his device he can push all the buttons and tells him and speaks for him. Whereas in a playground, he can go up and point to one of the signs,” explained Layne.
Travis noted while a few schools already have communication boards installed, he felt as though the idea should be expanded upon for all elementary schools to have across the county. Therefore all children who are impaired or autistic can have the opportunity to communicate while playing at the playground with other children.
When questioned by Chairman Donna Blansett as to the cost of each board, Travis stated each is $82 and two feet by three feet in size. Shipping costs are $59.85, regardless of the quantity of communication boards ordered, and all boards are steel as well as flat in design.
Dr. Mark Griffith of Marion County Schools requested the board’s blessing to further examine the idea, as he felt the project can also expand to other schools within the county, such as to all middle and high schools but for different purposes. He also noted that each sign for every school would cost $2,500 to be ordered and properly installed.
All members of the board ultimately expressed unanimous support for Layne’s proposal, looking ahead to next month’s meeting for possible approval from the communication boards for all elementary schools in the county. Additionally, other officials from across Marion County’s governing bodies, including the County Commission, shared their support and approval into establishing communication boards across all public parks across the county.