The CPlay volunteers are still chipping away at the finishing touches for the new playground at Caroline Bay in Timaru. One of the tasks we are excited to finish was installing the communication tool for non-verbal individuals.

The sign was developed by TalkLink Trust in collaboration with locals from South Canterbury to help make play easier, more fun, meaningful and inclusive for those with communication challenges. Installed in December 2023, it is the first sign of its kind in South Canterbury and was fundraised and organised by the CPlay team.

CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth said it was important to take the time to listen and learn before we got too far ahead in planning the playground. "One of the things we learnt, was that there were many in our community who were non-verbal and faced challenges in public playgrounds. Quite a few people reccomended the Communication Core Boards so we reached out to TalkLink for their help.

The signs graphics include 'core' and specific 'fringe' language as words and icons. Te Reo Māori has been thoughtfully included, adhering to the Kai Tahu local dialect, with guidance from Arowhenua.

CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth said she was excited to see the sign installed. "A lot of care has been taken to make sure the sign could be helpful. This tool can help empower our community to be more independant, have even more fun, feel seen and more included. The sign can also help to break down barriers and enable people to play together. We have received wonderful feedback on the signs, we would love to see more of these signs installed accross the Timaru District".

The concept of including both symbols and words, also inspired the signage graphic design through out the wider playground to appeal to a wider range of communication, reading and verbal abilities, so more people can engage in the joy of play. 

"Understanding Coreboards and Their Usage
Communication is more than just words. For some people, core boards like this one are their voice. Having the core board incorporated into a popular public space is a fantastic step towards normalising different ways of communicating and supporting those who use alternative modes of communication to participate in their community and connect with others. To use a core board, point to the key words in your sentence as you say them, so if I said “do you want to go and play?”, I would point to ‘you’, ‘want’ and ‘play’."
- Lauren Salisbury.
Speech-language Therapist | Kaiwhakatikatika reo Kōrero,
Child Development Service, South Canterbury, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand

"Timaru – bilingual coreboard mahi
Communication is a human right and at Wahanga Tū Kōrero | TalkLink our job is to make communication accessible for everyone! Last year we had the pleasure of collaborating with the CPlay Playground team to develop a core vocabulary board for this setting. We are always excited to see these communication tools become increasingly visible and accessible around the motu! Having a core board in a playground like Caroline Bay means that tamariki who communicate in an alternative way can continue to communicate at the playground too!

Core vocabulary boards are a type of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), and they provide an alternative means for people to communicate. High frequency or “core” words are represented visually using symbols and words on a board and individuals can point to the board to communicate their messages. Word types are organised by colour which supports locating and accessing the language to construct messages. 

It is also important to note that the core board at Caroline Bay is bilingual – it includes both English and Te Reo. We recognise that more research is required to know how best to represent Te Reo on a core board. However, we wanted to ensure that Te Reo is always an option and thus are relying on collaboration and consultation with iwi and translators to find what works best. Tukuna te reo, kia rere!

We hope that all tamariki can enjoy themselves and communicate at this playground whilst simultaneously teaching the wider community what AAC is all about!"

- Mary (Mere) Browne
Speech-Language Therapist I Kaiwhakatikatika reo Kōrero
TalkLink Trust

"The signage just keeps adding value to this already amazing space, the committee of volunteers have done a great job in aiming to make the facility accessible and welcoming for all. The addition of this sign just continues that theme that everyone is welcome at CPlay."

– Shaun Campbell
Sport Canterbury, Regional Manager – South Canterbury. 

The new sign for non verbal people to use at the CPlay playground at Caroline Bay in Timaru.  - Photography By Roselyn Fauth

Core Vocabulary and Fringe Vocabulary: Core vocabulary, constituting 80% of spoken language with approximately 250-500 flexible words, serves as the communication foundation. Organized on color-coded core boards, it enhances literacy and autonomy in AAC systems. In contrast, fringe vocabulary, comprising the remaining 20%, includes personalized nouns, common verbs, and adjectives, providing context-specific details.

Using a Core Board: The introduction of core boards has evolved toward a naturalistic approach, ensuring constant availability and modeling language through aided communication. Symbol placement aids in motor memory, with no immediate expectation for the child to memorize every symbol. For those initially overwhelmed, core boards can be simplified, gradually expanding as fluency increases.

A heartfelt thank you goes to: TalkLink Trust team, CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth, CPlay volunteer and Arowhenua representative Francine Spencer, Lauren Salisbury, Speech-language Therapist at Child Development Service Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, Adam Gard’ner, Regional Play Lead at Sport South Canterbury, and the families who have provided their lived experience feedback to ensure the sign's effectiveness in nonverbal communication. Thank you to our sponsors and supporters, New Zealand Lotteries Foundation (Lotto NZ), Sports South Canterbury, Ulrich Aluminum (donated the ACM panel), Branded Kiwi for making the frames, printing and installation.

Want to learn more?

For more information about core boards and how to use them, you can visit Talklink.org.nz. If you know someone who you feel would benefit from using a core board or needs support with their communication, you can contact either the Child Development Service or the Ministry of Education and have a chat."

TalkLink works with people of all ages who, due to a disability, have difficulties with speaking, writing, learning and/or with controlling their environment... if your group would like to impliment a sign like this in your space, please contact: talklink.org.nz