New Communication Board At Hillsborough Inclusive Playground Funded By Rotary

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Rotary Club of Hillsborough has funded a new Augmentative and Alternative Communication board at the Ann Van Middlesworth Park special needs playground.

The project was funded with proceeds from the annual Rotary Fair, according to the Township.

A communication board is a form of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC, that uses words, pictures and symbols to support communication.

People can point to symbols on the board to express needs, make choices, share ideas and interact with others. According to the announcement, AAC supports people who do not use spoken language, have limited or emerging speech, or benefit from visual communication supports.

Installing the board in a public park makes communication support available on the playground and is intended to foster inclusion, independence and participation for visitors of all abilities, according to the Township.

"Rotary Club of Hillsborough, in partnership with Hillsborough Township, is committed to creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to participate, connect, and feel included," said Ashley Rose, project lead for the Rotary Club. "We are proud to donate this communication board to Ann Van Middlesworth Park as a meaningful step toward making our shared community spaces more accessible and welcoming for individuals of all abilities."

The new board builds on the Rotary Club's support for the park after it funded interactive sensory boards last year.

The township said the park opened in 2010 as the first inclusive playground in Somerset County and was one of fewer than a dozen universal playgrounds nationwide at the time.

The initiative was spearheaded in 2010 by current Township Administrator and Special Needs Advocate Anthony Ferrera during his time on the Township Committee, with community volunteer build days and no taxpayer dollars used, according to the Township.

"Back in 2010 when we built this playground, our goal was simple: build a place where kids of all abilities could play side-by-side without placing a burden on our taxpayers," said Ferrera. "To see how far we've come, and to watch community partners like The Rotary Club continually step up to make it even better, is incredibly gratifying. This new communication board ensures that non-verbal and speech-emerging children have a voice on the playground."

Mayor Catherine Payne said the Rotary Club's support has helped the park continue to expand its inclusive recreation features.

The club said it supports local initiatives year-round, including ten $3,000 post-secondary scholarships for Hillsborough residents, along with volunteer and financial support for local veterans and active military members.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Hillsborough or township recreational programs, visit their website.