Jena, March 26, 2026. On five playgrounds in the Jena city area, newly installed communication boards now facilitate playing together and understanding. The inclusion project was made possible by the city’s Bürgerbudget.
- What: Installation of boards for augmentative and alternative communication.
- Where: On five selected playgrounds in Jena.
- Target group: People (especially children) who cannot speak or have limited speech.
- Costs: Around 5,800 euros.
- Funding: Jenaer Bürgerbudget 2024.
Communication through 66 Symbols
The new boards are an important step towards greater accessibility in public spaces. They are printed with 66 easy-to-understand pictograms and symbols. These offer a non-verbal means of expression: users can communicate their current wishes, needs, or feelings by simply pointing at them. To ensure that even the youngest playground visitors and children in wheelchairs can reach and use the boards without difficulty, they were intentionally mounted at a very low height.
Successful Project from the Citizen Budget
The realization of the playground boards is a direct result of civic engagement in Jena. The idea was submitted as part of the Bürgerbudget 2024 and was very well received by the population. In the public vote, the proposal gathered a total of 322 votes, securing 4th place. Around 5,800 euros from the Bürgerbudget funds were used for the practical implementation of this municipal heart project.
Background: The Jenaer Bürgerbudget and Inclusion on Playgrounds
The city of Jena’s Bürgerbudget allows residents every year to contribute their own ideas for urban development and vote directly on the allocation of municipal funds. Projects that promote social interaction and reduce barriers are regularly in focus.
Barrier-free and inclusive playgrounds are becoming increasingly important in modern urban planning. In addition to communication boards for non-verbal understanding, an inclusive play concept often includes sandboxes accessible by wheelchair, wheelchair-accessible carousels, or special swing seats (so-called bird’s nest swings). Such measures ensure that children with and without disabilities can play, interact, and learn from each other – an essential building block for an integrative and family-friendly urban society.
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Communication boards on playgrounds
Transparency note: This article was automatically created, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.