All Laois playgrounds to get communication boards
A communication board can help all children to enjoy a playground. File image
COMMUNICATION boards for children with special needs are to be installed in all public playgrounds across Laois.
The boards are particularly helpful for children with autism and those who have speech or social difficulties, helping them to share in the fun and become more independent.
Laois County Council is currently designing a playground communication board, which will be installed in all 19 public playgrounds in the county. About half will be erected this year and the remainder will be installed in 2026.
The plan was confirmed by sport and leisure officer Ann Marie Maher at a council meeting, following a proposal by Cllr Vivienne Phelan that communication boards be installed at the playgrounds in Stradbally and Timahoe.
In a written response, Ms Maher said: ‘Laois County Council is designing a playground communication board and we will be installing these in 50% of our playgrounds in 2025, which includes Stradbally and Timahoe, and 50% in 2026.’
Communication boards consist of symbols, pictures and photos that help children to express their feelings and needs by pointing to a specific image, making playtime more inclusive and enjoyable.
Cllr Phelan said she was delighted with the council response, as she and other councillors had met members of the Carlow-based Autism Heroes group and discussed improvements that were needed to make local services more accessible for children and young people with special needs. She also said that wheelchair-accessible swings should be installed in all local playgrounds.
Cllr Aisling Moran agreed that wheelchair-accessible swings must be installed, while Cllr Paschal McEvoy welcomed the “excellent” plan for communication boards.
Cllr Pádraig Fleming described the move as “timely and good to see”, while Cllr Ben Brennan said that facilities such as communication boards and wheelchair-accessible swings should be installed automatically for children with special needs, without requiring a specific request.
Cllr Brennan said: “They are the forgotten children, especially at the moment, and it’s sad.”
The issue was raised at the April meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District.
