The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week by highlighting programs, activities, and resources that strengthen inclusive education.

Inclusive Schools Week, December 2 through 6, 2024, celebrates the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors.

Inclusive Schools Week corresponds with PADDC’s inclusive education advocacy agenda, which can be summarized as:

• Increasing access to technology, especially for students with disabilities in school settings. 
• Advocating for education policies which empower students with disabilities and their families to know their rights and make decisions

Read PADDC’s full Inclusive Education Position Paper here.

Related PADDC Projects

Community Inclusion for Young Children
Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living’s (LVCIL) Community Inclusion for Young Children (CIFYC) Project helps support inclusive education by encouraging children of all abilities to learn and play together at an early age. The project has worked to foster inclusive education through educational events the CIFYC team attends and sponsors as well as the information and resources provided to parents during their parent support group meetings. Several examples of recent activities for young children and their parents include:

• Fishing and Fun in the Park with the Allentown Parks and Recreation Department.
• A representative from The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley spoke to parents about the Talk, Read, Sing program that provides parents with tips and tricks for engaging their children in talking, reading, and singing in everyday activities. 

Families Reimagining Inclusive Lives at The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
The Families Reimaging Inclusive Lives (FRIL) project works to educate, inform, and empower parents of young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to embrace inclusive options, providing practical tools to achieve inclusive lives. The goal is to encourage families to understand the benefits of inclusive options for recreation, education, and living. It also teaches families about their rights to access inclusive options, rather than assuming that a segregated setting is the best or only option.

To carry out the project, parents and young adults with disabilities are hired to inform and educate others (Train-the-trainer model). New sessions for this are coming in January 2025 and registration for them is open. Families may also apply to take educational sessions. In addition, the project partners with several other groups to spread the message, including Values into Action, Parents as Partners in Professional Development (P3D), The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship program, and Hispanos Unidos para Niños Excepcionales (HUNE).

Resources

Inclusive Schools Week K-5 Activity Guide
From Kids Included Together (KIT) and Changing Perspectives the 2024 guide is packed with classroom activities, event ideas, and practical tips for creating an inclusive environment. Make “Every Voice Matters” a reality this year.
 
Disability Equality Education (DEE)
DEE is a Pennsylvania cross-disability nonprofit organization led by disabled people who are experts in the fields of inclusive disability education and advocacy. Its mission is to pave the way for an equitable future free from prejudice and discrimination by empowering disabled people and their allies to lead, organize, advocate, and educate in their communities.
 
PA Disability Inclusive Curriculum Toolkit
From PADDC project to state Pilot Program, as added to the Pennsylvania Public School Code in the Summer of 2022, the curriculum is intended to instruct all K-12 students on the political, economic, and social contributions of individuals with disabilities. It also aims to increase the accurate and regular representation of disability throughout all aspects of school to help learners understand that disability is a natural part of the human condition.
 
Achieving Inclusion: Strategies for Creating Inclusive Classrooms for ALL Students
Situations in which educators are new to including students with disabilities in general education or are concerned about how to do the work effectively and ethically are not unusual. Across different states, school districts, and even school buildings and grades, meaningful inclusive educational opportunities for students with disabilities vary greatly. However, achieving inclusion is critical to the success and well-being of our students, schools and communities. And it is supported by educational research and the law. This article provides educators with seven key strategies for implementing collaborative and effective inclusive education opportunities for every single learner.
 
Include Me PA (The Arc of Pennsylvania)
​Include Me is a free, school-based initiative for students with significant disabilities. The goal of the program is to build the capacity of local school districts across Pennsylvania to inclusively and meaningfully educate students with significant disabilities in general education classrooms and school community.
 
Stop Special Campaign
A campaign to reduce the stigma tied to disability by eliminating the word “special” from everyday language, conversation, services, and policy on disability-related issues. How we speak about disability influences both perceptions and actions, shaping the reality of inclusion. This campaign is supported with funding from the New Hampshire DD Act partners –  the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, Disability Rights Center – NH, and the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities
 
Debunking the “Myths” of Inclusive Education
Inclusive education champions the belief that every child, regardless of ability or background, has the right to learn and grow alongside their peers in a supportive and inclusive environment. However, despite its proven benefits, misunderstandings and misinformation can cloud the true meaning of this approach. Learn about the myths.
 
The Inclusion Podcast
Each 15-minute episode offers expert insights, real-world strategies, and answers to burning questions on how to make every classroom welcoming for all students, PreK-12. From redefining what special education is (and isn’t) to understanding Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and exploring cutting-edge co-teaching practices, the podcast covers the essential topics that help schools transform.
 
Unlocking Potential: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Inclusive Learning
Proceedings from a forum in June 2024 convened by the National Center on Educational Outcomes. Forum presenters and participants discussed issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and accessibility in education. Participants explored current challenges, potential benefits, and key considerations for implementing AI in ways that enhance rather than hinder accessibility for all students.
 
Fostering Belonging for Students with Disabilities
This new video explains how the concept of belonging is more than being included. Drawing from the work of Dr. Erik Carter and Dr. Elizabeth Biggs, the video talks about the 10 key dimensions of belonging: being present, invited, welcomed, known, accepted, supported, heard, befriended, needed, and loved. The video also discusses how to create an environment where every student is not just included but is a valued member of the school community.

Events

Dec 11, 2024; 3 PM 
Empowering Students to Make Choices and Get Involved on Campus
Virtual with Zoom
It’s important for educators, family members, and advocates to support students in making their own choices and becoming more independent. Allowing students to take reasonable risks—like trying new things or facing challenges—can help them grow and fully enjoy their college experience. The session will also discuss how to ensure that students with disabilities are included in all aspects of campus life.

Grantee Event
December 12, 2024; 7:30 pm
Addressing Safety Concerns- Vision for Equality Busts Housing Myths
Virtual with Zoom
Join the next workshop as we explore strategies that reduce risk to vulnerable individuals of home related crimes.

December 19, 2024; 12 – 1 pm or 4 – 5 pm
PA Tech Accelerator Webinar: Finding and Funding AAC
Virtual on Zoom
How do you get a communication device? Where do you start and what steps are involved? Learn about AAC assessment processes and submitting an insurance request for a speech-generating device. This session will focus on funding options available in Pennsylvania.

Grantee Event
JANUARY 14 -16, 9:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. each day on Zoom
Families Reimagining Inclusive Lives (FRIL) Train-the-Trainer
Virtual on Zoom
Free and open to Pennsylvania parents of young children with disabilities and young adults with disabilities. Three Training Modules:
January 14 — Module 1: Self-Determination and Models of Disability
January 15 — Module 2: Introduction to Inclusion in School and Community
January 16 — Module 3: Inclusion Through Life’s Transitions

Tuesdays in December & January from 12 PM – 1 PM
The PEAL Center Winter Bites Series
Virtual on Zoom
Log on during lunch and learn about topics such as understanding data, educational advocacy, inclusion, behavior and discipline. Register for the series as attend as many virtual sessions as you can.

• December 17th: Is My Child Making Progress? Let’s Look at the Data
• January 7th: Skills for Educational Advocacy
• January 14th Making Inclusion a Reality
• January 21st: Behavior and Discipline

February 5 – 7, 2025
Making A Difference: Educational Practices that Work
Hershey Lodge & Convention Center, Hershey & Virtual with Zoom
Join Pennsylvania’s educators for the Bureau of Special Education’s signature event. This annual statewide conference offers an opportunity to learn and engage with nationally recognized presenters, as well as colleagues from across the state, highlighting effective instructional strategies and interventions designed to make an educational difference for all students.

February 7, 2025
NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania: Youth Mental Health Conference
The Westin Pittsburgh, 1000 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
This event is one of the only conferences in the country specializing in children, adolescents, and transition age youth. It’s geared toward parents and caregivers, mental health professionals, educators, and students. The conference provides information on the newest research, innovative supports, and best practices to assist and advance the mental health needs of youth. The event will feature keynote presentations, workshop sessions, and an exhibitor hall.