Through a generous grant from The Taishoff Family Foundation, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is conducting a project to promote inclusive opportunities for preschool-aged children with disabilities.  The goal of the project is to expand opportunities for young children with disabilities to be fully included, with appropriate supports, in preschools, child care programs, and other community-based settings. The project is using multiple approaches to achieve this goal including promoting: improved public policy; better personnel preparation, technical assistance and funding; improved data collection and monitoring; public awareness efforts, creating “demand” for inclusive early childhood opportunities; and support for systems change efforts. It is our belief that inclusive early childhood opportunities provide a solid foundation for children with Down syndrome and other disabilities to grow up to be full and contributing members of their communities and society.

Public comments on preschool LRE issues

As part of the ongoing work of the Taishoff Early Childhood Inclusion Project, NDSS organized a joint effort with other organizations to share serious concerns with the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Education regarding plans for collecting data on preschool inclusion for OSEP monitoring. The current system and proposed plan give school districts “credit” for providing inclusive preschool education when the parents pay for their child’s placement. Other problems include a definition that encourages classes that are half students with disabilities and half “at risk” students to be considered inclusive. NDSS once again calls on the US DOE to convene a stakeholder group to address these issues. See the joint comments here   

NDSS/NDSC Letter on Proposed Changes to OSEP Monitoring

Registration is open for the Annual Inclusion Institute in Chapel Hill North Carolina

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