Hyderabad, April, 2 : A first-of-its-kind initiative in India has brought inclusive communication into a public space, with the installation of a communication board at a GHMC park, KBR Park, Banjara Hills – for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This collaborative effort between GHMC, Avaz, NGO Marham Resonating Resilience, CDC Talk and Learn, and Koru Kidz aims to make play spaces more accessible and empowering for neurodivergent children.
The communication board features carefully selected visual icons sourced from Avaz.com, a widely used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) platform. These icons enable children who have difficulty with verbal communication to express their needs, preferences, and emotions while engaging in outdoor play. It was a joint initiative by Dr Pratima Giri, Dr Nabat Lakhani ( Marham ) and Ms Prerna.
The communication board was be formally inaugurated on World Autism Day, 2nd April by Olympic Medalist Saina Nehwal, Mr Jayesh Ranjan and Mr R.V. Karnan GHMC commissioner.
Speaking at the inauguration Saina Nehwal said,
” Every child has an energy to do better and make a place for themselves in the world and this initiative will make it a little easier for those with Autism to communicate and find their spaces in society”.
Mr. Jayesh Ranjan said,
“We will not let this initiative be one time thing and will make sure it reaches more parks and malls and many other public spaces”.
By placing this tool in a community setting, the initiative takes a significant step toward normalizing inclusive practices beyond clinical and educational environments. It also raises awareness among the public about diverse communication needs and fosters a more accepting, responsive society.
This landmark project reflects the power of collaboration in creating meaningful change and sets a precedent for similar inclusive adaptations across public spaces in India, ensuring that every child has a voice everywhere they go.
