Trafford on board with first Communication Station

The One Trafford Partnership is supporting local parent, Georgia Wilson, to introduce Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) boards in a play areas, schools and libraries.

Having installed AAC boards in some local schools, Georgia approached One Trafford with her idea to install them in parks too. The first Communication Station has now been installed in Ashton Park, with full support from The One Trafford Partnership who funded the board and its installation.

The Communication Station features numbers, letters, emotional prompts and phrases to aid non-verbal children with conditions like Verbal Dyspraxia, Apraxia and Autism. Children can point or indicate on the board to show what they would like to express.

Georgia and four-year-old son, Zach who has Verbal Dyspraxia, have been raising awareness about the condition and other neurological speech conditions.

AAC boards have other applications too, as useful tools for those who do not speak English as a first language or those suffering from trauma. To help more Trafford children, and even adults, benefit from the Communication Station, Georgia is calling on residents to support her in getting the boards in parks, schools and libraries.

She said: “I’m so pleased that this initiative is being supported by One Trafford and local councillors. The Communication Station in Ashton Park will hopefully be the first of many. We want AAC boards not just in play areas, but other communal spaces too like schools and libraries. We have seen first-hand how the Communication Station can help children communicate clearly with others, which is why I want parents to endorse this project so we can make this a reality.”

“Zach and other children suffering from this condition know what they want to say but speech is unintelligible and is very difficult to understand, you can only imagine how frustrating and lonely this could be for a child.”

Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing and Equalities, Councillor Jane Slater, said: “I’m really proud that the partnership printed and installed the first AAC communication board in the borough. This is paving the way for equality and inclusivity in play, which is essential for child development and wellbeing. We want children across Trafford, and indeed the region, to feel included and not trapped simply because they have no way of speaking their needs.”

“Georgia has been fantastic in pioneering this project and in raising awareness of neurological speech conditions, which is helping to shape inclusivity in the borough. I’m calling on our fantastic network of community groups, leaders, Friends and residents to get on board with the Communication Station and support Georgia’s fundraising efforts. Donations are welcome but even simply helping to raising awareness will allow us to identify other funders and help us deliver as many boards as possible. For details, please visit https://gofund.me/55c63c3d

 

Posted on Monday 31st October 2022