Unveiling new Point to Chat – Chatboards in Lions Park Biloela celebrates Speech Pathology Week and 20 years of support and inclusion at the Community Resource Centre.

On Thursday 24th August, Banana Shire’s Community Resource Centre, along with project partners, Callide Dawson Special Needs Support Group Inc., Turkey Tussle and Aegir Apparel, came together to celebrate the CRC’s 20th birthday and Speech Pathology Week 2023 by unveiling the Point to Chat – Chatboards, which were recently installed in Lions Park, Biloela. Community members, users of the CRC facilities and other organisations who access the CRC services gathered to show their support for this initiative which promotes inclusivity in Banana Shire.

The newly installed Point to Chat – Chatboards are designed to facilitate conversations for people with communication difficulties that impact a person’s ability to request, share, comment, and protest. These Chatboards will provide additional communication options to toddlers, children, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends or colleagues when they visit Lions Park.

The Chatboards can be found at the Park Entrance, Flying Fox, BBQ Area, Liberty Swing, Toddlers Playground, Playground, and the Pathway by the water fountain. 

Quotes:

Councillor Judy Pender:

Many of us take for granted that we can share thoughts and feelings, tell stories, ask for what we want, to be heard and responded to, to say no, to be spoken with.

But that is not the case for everyone.  Imagine for a moment that you have come to the park but have no way to say that the Flying Fox is scary because it goes too fast.  Or that you need to go to the toilet before you play.  Or to call out to your friends in the distance near the BBQ area.

Autonomy and independence are important to us because they foster dignity and empowerment.  The Point to Chat Chatboards offer a universal design that is inclusive of all abilities and all ages, so that everyone can be spoken with, not spoken about, and can communicate independently rather than relying on someone else. 

Dr Amanda Heit:

‘Communicating for Life’ the theme of Speech Pathology Week 2023 highlights that communication is a basic human right.  Speech Pathology Week helps raise awareness of the communication disability and the role of speech pathologists.

Dr Heit suggested, “When you visit the Lions Park next, be sure to take the time and explore, even start a conversation by using one of the seven boards installed – ask for something, share an opinion, or make a comment.”

Staff at the Community Resource Centre would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to CDSNSG, Turkey Tussle and Aegir Apparel for their support in bringing this vision to life, to the Banana Shire Parks Team for their prompt action to install the signage, and to the wider community for being inclusive.

In 2023, Speech Pathology Week was held between the 20th -26th of August, with the theme being ‘Communicating for Life’ – Communication is a basic human right, and Speech Pathology Week helps raise awareness of communication disability and the role of speech pathologists. What better way to celebrate than by unveiling our Point to Chat – Chatboards during Speech Pathology Week and with the CRC 20th year anniversary.