INDIANOLA, Iowa — New communication boards are being installed in schools and public parks across Indianola to support non-verbal communication.

The boards are a picture-based communication style designed to help students who can’t communicate vocally still be able to communicate on the playground.

This initiative started last fall in an education class at Simpson College led by Dr. Rachel Terlop. Students were able to create their own communication boards, and they received feedback from the former Emerson Elementary School principal and speech pathologists.

With the help of grants, Simpson College, Indianola Parks and Recreation, and the Indianola Community Youth Group installed some boards in elementary schools across Indianola. The first board was installed in Emerson Elementary School’s playground. It was designed by Jenna Norris, a student in Terlop’s class.

Terlop said she could see the board’s impact first-hand when she visited the Emerson playground. She witnessed a one-year-old girl come to the board and point at the icon on the sign that indicates the action of catching. After that, the girl picked up a ball and threw it to her mother.

“Her mom wasn’t noticing what was happening, but because I’ve been waiting to see this in action, it was really cool to see a little one come over, point, and then get the tools they need. It’s been really neat to see this come to life,” said Terlop.

Norris and another student served as undergraduate researchers in Spring 2024 to collect feedback on the communication boards in Emerson as the city waited for grant funding to expand the project.

Indianola is currently in the process of printing boards that will be installed in six public parks, including Pickard Park, McCord Park, Barker Park, Moats Park, Memorial Park, and Buxton Park. They’re hoping to install them before the ground freezes.