Opening Doors to Inclusive Programs
$125 

Torrie Dunlap, Director, National Training Center on Inclusion; Alissa Lavelle, M.S., Program Coordinator; Nili Mathews, CTRS, Program Specialist, Kids Included Together (KIT), San Diego, CA

 

KIT’s Opening Doors to Inclusive Programs pre-conference workshop includes information and hands-on activities that address attitudes of after-school professionals, establishing partnerships with families, and strategies for designing individualized supports and accommodations for children with and without disabilities in after-school programs.    

 

The Opening Doors Series includes four topics described below.

 

Introduction to Inclusion                                                                

This training is provided as an overview of inclusion and provides the participant with a basis of the history of support for children with disabilities (medical model vs. empowerment model), and with a philosophy of inclusion. Person-first language and the benefits of inclusion are also covered.

 

Respectful Accommodations                                                                      

Making your program accessible to children with disabilities will require creative and responsive accommodations. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) addresses the necessity of making accommodations for children with disabilities so that they can participate in community programs. This workshop provides an overview of the philosophy of inclusion and insight into what constitutes a “respectful accommodation.” Specific examples of accommodations for children who have various types of disabilities are included.

 

Supporting Positive Behavior                                                                    

Supporting Positive Behavior addresses the fact that all children display some type of behavioral challenge. However, some children have a more difficult time managing their behavior, and often times this may be related to the disability they have. This workshop will focus on how to prevent negative behaviors before they occur and how to create environments that offer positive behavior support to children with behavioral challenges.

 

Partnering with Families                                                               

When children come to your program they come attached to a family unit. Learning to create partnerships with children’s families will help you provide the best service to all children. Learn how to communicate successfully with parents, how to set up your relationship for success and what to do when challenges arise.

 

Outcomes

Pre-conference Academy participants can receive 0.6 KIT Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for successful completion of the workshop.  All pre-conference participants will receive a certificate of completion on Opening Doors to Inclusive Programs

 

For more information on Kids Included Together, please visit www.kitonline.org