LDA Aces- Closing the Communication Gap

05/09/2024

It is wonderful to see our communication boards in use

JANESVILLE – A new board full of words and pictures at the Camden Park Playground in Palmer Park will, it’s envisioned, get kids and also the adults accompanying them communicating

03/29/2024

Thank you to everyone that helped us make this project a reality last year! 💕

Did you know that communication boards were designed and installed at each of Janesville’s 12 elementary schools and at four city parks? This was made possible largely due to a partnership between the Leadership Development Academy of Rock County -- Team Aces, the School District of Janesville, and the City of Janesville, WI.

Communication boards provide an inclusive environment by allowing individuals the ability to point at various pictures to express their needs, wants, thoughts, and feelings. They allow children who experience differences the opportunity to communicate with their peers, teachers, and families while enjoying the same activities as other children. Communication boards provide an opportunity for kids to be kids!

Join us from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at CAMDEN Playground at Palmer Park (2501 Palmer Drive, Janesville) to celebrate the installation of the communication boards. We will have district staff available to share more information about how people use picture boards to communicate, as well as other activities!

See you there!

11/01/2023

Communication boards are now installed at Garden Prairie Intermediate School and Powers Elementary School in the Beloit Turner School District!

09/30/2023

Look for our communication boards at Janesville Elementary schools!

08/03/2023

Our first AAC communication board has been installed at Camden Playground in Janesville! Looking forward to seeing the installation of the rest of the communication boards in the next couple of weeks!

06/08/2023

Thank you so much to all of you that made this project possible. Our communication boards are completed. We are waiting on delivery, and then we can begin our installation!

05/18/2023

Did you know Janesville has 43 city park playgrounds? Soon 4 will have AAC signs!

Did you know that Janesville has 43 City Park Playgrounds? As warm weather returns to Wisconsin's Park Place, the City of Janesville Recreation Division is challenging the community to take the ultimate summer fun challenge and play at each one!

05/12/2023

Team Aces cleans up pretty nice, if we do say so ourselves! Yesterday we presented our project at the Leadership Development Academy of Rock County graduation. We are committed to the completion of this project. Our signs have been ordered, and we are looking for either in-kind of monetary donations to help with the installation of our signs. We will need 36 4x4 8 foot posts, Quikrete, and fasteners to complete our project.

Online donations can be made here: https://cfsw.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6169

If you are able to help with in-kind donations please message us!

04/17/2023

Thank you to everyone that has donated to our project thus far.
We are planning to order our boards next week!

As we move into the install phase we will be looking for some in-kind donations as well. We will have more information after we meet with CCI next week. Individual donations can still be made online:
https://cfsw.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6169

04/11/2023

Thank you for everyone that has donated so far, we are so close to our goal! We are hoping to order boards in the next couple of weeks. If you want information on how your business can be featured on our boards please send us a message. Donations to be included on the board are due by 4/17.

Personal donations can be made here: https://cfsw.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6169

04/05/2023

Thank you to sponsor First Community Bank Milton! We appreciate you!

04/04/2023

At our March meeting Team Aces was in charge of our session recap, read our recap here.

**Trigger warning, our session included mass casualty and active shooter training**

This post was written by LDA Class of 2022-2023 Team Aces Jacob Smith, Baker Tilly; Kayla Schaapveld, Ansay & Associates; Jayden Chan, Craig High School Senior; Maddie McCue, Nowlan Law; Kara Witt, Blackhawk Community Credit Union; and Melissa Wittwer, Rock County.