Ensure everyone can express themselves on the playground

Pictures and symbols are an effective way for non-verbal, speech-challenged and early-learning individuals to communicate with friends and caregivers. That’s why Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, has introduced the Symbol Communication Sign to expand its line of inclusive playground products. Placing the Symbol Communication Sign at the entrance to a play area ensures that everyone can express themselves.

With guidance from experts in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Inclusive Design, Landscape Structures developed the Symbol Communication Sign to include pictures representing nouns/pronouns, verbs, feelings, activities, and playground events as well as letters and numbers. The graphics are universally understandable and easy to use, arranged left-to-right as one would build a sentence and use industry-standard colors representing different types of words. The DigiFuse® graphics are printed on both sides of the Symbol Communication Sign.

According to Landscape Structures’ Inclusive Play Survey, more than 70 of parents strongly agree that playground equipment should be designed so all children can play together. This new element of inclusive play equipment helps create a more fully inclusive play environment that allows everyone to be able to better communicate with one another, interact with each other and play together.

Landscape Structures is committed to providing play experiences for children of all abilities. With its design philosophy, which addresses the accessibility, age and developmental appropriateness, and sensory-stimulating activity, and other inclusive play product innovations like the We-Go-Swing®, We-Go-Round®, We-saw™, OmniSpin® spinner and Sway Fun® glider, the company helps bring children with and without special needs together to play, learn and grow on the playground.

Learn more about the new Symbol Communication Sign, and Landscape Structures’ commitment to creating inclusive playgrounds that welcome children and adults of all abilities to interact and play together at playlsi.com/inclusive-play/.

Published on June 21, 2022