The document summarizes a project between a high school leadership team and a school district to install communication boards at playgrounds. The leadership team raised funds and ordered 18 communication boards, exceeding their original goal. The boards will benefit approximately 500 students in the district who have limited verbal communication abilities. Installation will take place after June 7th at local playgrounds to help more children socialize and learn through augmented communication tools.

1. Closing The
Communication Gap
A collaboration with LDA Team Aces &
The School District of Janesville
Jayden Chan, Jacob Smith, Kayla
Schaapveld, Kara Witt, Maddie McCue,
Melissa Wittwer

2. Team Aces

3. Where did the idea come from?
The School District of Janesville
reached out to Leadership
Development Academy about the
project need in our community.
Amber Keenan, Sara Vold, Nicole Nichols

4. Who will benefit?
● Approximately 500 students in the Janesville
School District will benefit from symbols to
help them communicate.
● English learners and non-speaking or
minimally speaking students ranging in age
from early childhood through the 18-21 year
old program.
● Adams
● Harrison
● Jackson
● Jefferson
● Kennedy
● Lincoln
● Madison
● Monroe
● Roosevelt
● Van Buren
● Washington
● Wilson

5. What is a communication board?
● A form of augmentative and alternative
communication or AAC. AAC is modification to
communication to fit individual needs.
● A composition of images specifically selected to
support communication by pointing to one or
multiple images.
● Helps bridge the communication gap between
children and their peers or caregivers.
● Can be used in schools, playgrounds, homes,
and other community settings.

6. Fitzgerald Key

7. Who will benefit from using an AAC board?
● Nonverbal or minimally
speaking individuals
● Those with limited cognitive or
physical access to
communication
● Those recovering from a stroke
or brain injury
● English learners
● Teachers
● Caregivers
● Peers

8. How will
communication
boards benefit
the community?

9. Communication
Communication is a central component of our relationship with
the world and those around us. It allows us to express our needs,
wants, likes, dislikes, feelings, and helps us build connections with
others.
Inclusion
Playgrounds are important for a children’s physical and mental
health. Increasing access to communication in a setting such as a
playground creates a more inclusive environment and allows
those who don’t speak verbal to enjoy the same activities as
verbal individuals.
Socialization
Socialization with peers is an integral part of a child's
development. Communication boards provide a structured format
to interact and connect with others.

10. Linguistic Accessibility
Bilingual or multilingual communication boards ensure children
and families who speak another language besides English can
also access the benefits of a communication board.
Learning and Education
Children can learn a multitude of skills using a communication
board such as practicing their reading skills, learn a few words in
a new language, build picture and object relationships, as well as
acceptance of children who are different from them.

11. Fundraising
Scoopie Night
$455

12. Fundraising
Donation Letter
JAC Passes
Individual Donations

13. Sponsorship Levels

14. Marketing
Stan Milan Show Social Media- Facebook
https://www.wclo.com/.../3-22-23-members-of-the.../

15. Opportunities
● Hard time deciding on a project
● Overall timeline - decided on project in November
● Scoping
● Fee quote for installation/school district requiring sign company install
● Finding a place to house our fundraising money then considering a 5% administrative fee
● Lengthy name for checks: Community Foundation of So WI for LDA Communication Boards
Capital Fund
● Coordinating meetings with multiple groups of people (CCI, school district, sign company,
City of Janesville)
● Fundraising - were attempting largely corporate sponsors

16. Opportunities

17. Next Steps
We have ordered 18 signs
2 more than our original goal! Working on placement of
additional signs.
We are purchasing materials for install
● Quikrete
● 4x4 8 foot posts
● Fasteners
Playground visits
Scheduled for 5/15
Installation
Will begin after June 7th

20. Gold

21. Silver

22. Bronze

23. In-Kind
donations

24. Thank You!

25. Questions?