NEW CANAAN, CT (August 2025) – New Canaan Public Schools is proud to announce the installation of communication boards on the playgrounds of Saxe Middle School and East, South, and West Elementary Schools. These freestanding signs, fully funded by the district’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and Parent Teacher Councils (PTC), are designed to support students and community members who cannot rely on speech alone to communicate due to a range of conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, genetic syndromes, and other disabilities. Their addition reinforces the district’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and accessibility for all students, regardless of ability.
The project was spearheaded by NCPS Assistive Technology Specialist, Ashley Tremblay, whose goal was to ensure students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) have access to language and communication tools in all environments, both in and out of the classroom. In March 2023, Tremblay introduced the concept of playground communication boards to Assistant Superintendent of Pupil and Family Services, William Tesbir, along with the district’s cohort of speech language pathologists. In her presentation, she showcased how communication boards have already been adopted by school districts and municipalities across the country, and recent improvements in affordability and accessibility made it the perfect time for New Canaan to bring this initiative to its own schools.
With full funding generously provided by the PTA and PTCs, the boards were officially installed in August 2025 at the middle school and each elementary school. Each building has two available for use and are available to students during the school day and to the broader community during after-school and weekend hours.
“As our playgrounds are open to the public, it’s important for the community to understand that these spaces are inclusive and welcoming to all,” said Tremblay. “Seeing communication boards as an everyday occurrence makes the idea of them more mainstream and open to use. Parents with students who use communication devices should know that even on the playgrounds, their child can have a voice in what they want—or do not want—to do.”
Each board displays a variety of symbols and words that help individuals communicate through gestures, pointing, or other forms of interaction. This is especially meaningful for younger students who are still developing essential communication and social skills through play.
In today’s educational landscape, where equity and access are fundamental to student success, the implementation of communication boards reflects a broader understanding of what it means to educate the whole child. “I have a strong belief in accessibility for all children, regardless of their abilities,” Tremblay added. “I firmly believe everyone has the right to communication, regardless of location. Knowing that we [the district, PTCs, and PTAs] worked together to meet the communication needs of any student who may use these boards at some point in their lives makes me proud to be part of this truly inclusive district.”
New Canaan Public Schools extends its deep appreciation to all who helped bring this project to life and their dedication to helping our district create inclusive learning environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
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