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Empowering communication through symbol-based park signage

Inclusive wayfinding solutions supporting children with additional communication needs

Graphic Signs partnered with Warwick District Council to deliver symbol-based communication boards across local parks, improving accessibility for children who are pre-verbal, autistic, or have learning disabilities. The initiative aimed to create more inclusive public spaces by replacing text-heavy signage with intuitive, visual communication tools that promote independence and confidence.

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Plan
Design
Deliver
Install
Upgrade
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Client overview

Warwick District Council logo
Local Government / Public Sector
Royal Leamington Spa, UK

Warwick District Council is a local authority committed to maintaining inclusive, accessible public spaces for its diverse community. The Council works closely with schools, families, and support organisations to ensure its services reflect the needs of residents of all ages and abilities.

Key goals

Improve accessibility across public parks and green spaces
Support children with autism, speech impairments, and learning disabilities
Enhance wayfinding through visual, easy-to-understand communication tools
Promote inclusivity and independence within the community
Deliver a scalable solution for district-wide implementation
Victoria park
Royal Leamington Spa, UK

Project brief

Traditional park signage often relies heavily on written instructions, limiting accessibility for children with additional communication needs. Following extensive consultation with parents, educators, and specialist support organisations, the Council commissioned Graphic Signs to manufacture a series of large-format, symbol-based communication boards.

The boards were designed to feature clear, engaging illustrations representing facilities, directions, and activities within each park. Every sign was tailored to its specific location to ensure maximum relevance and impact.

The first installations were rolled out across six prominent parks, with plans to expand the initiative district-wide following its initial success.

Key objectives

  • Design and manufacture durable, large-format communication boards
  • Replace text-led signage with clear visual symbols
  • Improve navigation and understanding of park facilities
  • Empower children to communicate needs independently
  • Create a replicable model for future installations
  • Solutions

    • Manufacture of bespoke, symbol-based signage panels

    • Large-format, weather-resistant materials suitable for outdoor environments

    • Location-specific symbol selection for each park

    • Clear, high-contrast illustrations for ease of understanding

    • Collaborative production process based on stakeholder consultation

    Visual showcase / Deliverables

    Results

    0
    locations across the town
    0
    additional parks planned for district-wide rollout
    0%
    positive feedback from local schools and community leaders

    Implementation

    • Not included in this project

      Plan

      We map out your project scope, nail down the tech specs, and chart the path from concept to completion – on time, on spec, no excuses.
    • Not included in this project

      Design

      We create the visuals and technical blueprints, making sure every detail works with your brand and works beautifully in the real world.
    • Not included in this project

      Deliver

      We build it, ship it, and roll it out – with experienced hands who care about getting it right and keeping disruption to a minimum.
    • Not included in this project

      Install

      We bring our experienced fitters on-site to set everything up precisely, making sure it all works flawlessly and looks exactly as it should.
    • Not included in this project

      Upgrade

      We refresh your existing setup, extending its life and keeping it current as your brand evolves and technology moves on.

    Key learnings

    This project demonstrates how thoughtful, inclusive signage design can significantly enhance accessibility in public spaces. By prioritising collaboration and focusing on visual communication, Graphic Signs helped create environments where children with additional needs can navigate independently and confidently. The success of the initial rollout highlights the growing importance of neurodiversity-friendly infrastructure and shows how scalable, well-designed solutions can deliver meaningful social impact across entire communities.

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