The board was formally inaugurated at KBR park on World Autism Day, 2nd April by Olympic
Medalist Saina Nehwal, Mr Jayesh Ranjan and Mr R.V. Karnan GHMC commissioner

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 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.