Communication Boards

Communication Boards use pictures, symbols, words, or letters to help people share their needs, wants and ideas by pointing or gesturing.

A Communication Board supports people with limited or no speech, helping them to communicate independently.

Download our Communication Board to support inclusive communication everywhere!

• Understand what’s happening
• Share their choices or needs
• Feel more confident joining in

• Noise levels are high
• Instructions need to be clear and simple
• Someone uses visual communication or AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)

• Preview the board – Look through the symbols before your session
• Introduce it simply – “This board helps us all understand what’s next”
• Point and speak – Use the board while giving instructions
• Keep it visible – Place it where players can see it during activities
• Ask for feedback – “Does this help? What else would be useful?”

• Bring a board to training if it helps you communicate
• Ask your coach if they can use visual supports
• Personalise a board with your favourite sports or activities
• Use it to prepare for new experiences (e.g., first game, new club)

• Add communication boards to your inclusion toolkit
• Train volunteers on how to use them
• Include them in welcome packs for new members
• Display them in change rooms, clubhouses or quiet spaces

How to Use This Template

Print & Laminate
Print the board on A4 or A3 paper. Laminating it makes it durable for sport sessions and allows you to use dry-erase markers to write custom labels or tick off activities.

Fill in the Blanks
The board includes common sport and communication symbols (water, thumbs up, stop, smile, ball, listen, toilet, first aid, time, write, person, wheelchair, bus, book, phone).
Use the blank squares to add symbols or words specific to your sport or athlete (e.g., “goal”, “timeout”, “coach”, “team”, “home”).

Personalise for the Athlete

Ask the player what words or symbols help them communicate during training or games.

Place the board where they can easily see and point to it (clipboard, tablet, or pinned to a bag).

Colour-code sections if helpful (e.g., blue for needs, green for actions, red for safety).

Pair with Verbal Cues
Encourage coaches and teammates to point to the symbol while saying the word. This reinforces understanding and supports players who use AAC or visual communication.

*Last updated: 20 May 2026 | All resources free to share with We Belong attribution*