Enhancing accessibility at St Rose’s
At St Rose’s, a UK-based school, communication is at the heart of everything they do. Their students have a wide range of communication needs, and ensuring every student has the ability to express themselves is a key part of their Total Communication approach. Recently, they introduced one of our Communication Boards to the school environment, and it has already made a noticeable impact. We spoke to the school’s Speech & Language Therapist, Katherine Marchant, who also leads the St Rose’s therapy team, to find out how these boards are helping students communicate and interact in new ways. The introduction of the communication boards was an exciting moment for staff and students alike. “We love the new communication boards! They are bright, engaging, and the familiar format meant the students were drawn to them straight away.” With their clear and accessible design, the boards immediately captured students’ interest and encouraged them to explore new ways of expressing themselves. Since the boards were introduced, the team has seen incredible responses from students. One of the biggest benefits has been how the boards encourage shared communication. By making language more visible and accessible, students can connect with each other in a more inclusive way. While the boards have been a fantastic addition, the team recognises that they may not meet the needs of every child. However, their presence has brought a renewed focus on communication strategies across the school. “The enhanced visibility and focus on using communication strategies in this space is a fabulous addition to our Total Communication offer.” The boards have proven to be a valuable resource in the sensory garden, but their potential goes far beyond this space. “We believe they could be just as helpful in other parts of the school. Whether in the sensory room, school hall, or library, the boards could help students express their needs or preferences in so many situations.” The success of the communication boards has sparked excitement about how they can be used to support students across different areas of school life. At St Rose’s, we are always looking for ways to create a more inclusive and supportive communication environment, and these boards are another step toward making sure every student has a voice.First impressions
Supporting interaction and expression
Expanding the impact
