A Few Real-Life Stories of Exclusion & How to Solve Them
We often discuss inclusion in the classroom, at camp, or during after school programs. Yet we know that exclusion is everywhere from the food we serve, to the music we listen to, and beyond. And if exclusion is going to follow us beyond the halls, then our inclusion efforts must be prepared. So, how can…
Read MoreBack to School Means Back to After School, Too.
A Webinar Series to Get You Back in the Groove of After-School Programming The Back to After School Series Join us for a 4-webinar series curated to prepare afterschool program providers for the transition out of summer and back into the world of post-class care! We’ll cover: Understanding the Why of Behavior Redirecting Challenging Behaviors Managing a…
Read MoreCelebrating Independence the Inclusive Way
National Disability Independence Day is July 26th Summer is studded with celebrations of freedom: Juneteenth, July 4th, Pride, and of course – National Disability Independence Day. What is National Disability Independence Day? When & Why We Celebrate National Disability Independence Day is celebrated on July 26th. It commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities…
Read MoreDisability Pride Month KIT Spotlight – Shonna Riggs, Inclusion Support Specialist
July is Disability Pride Month and commemorates the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990. It is a time to honor those with disabilities and reject the shame and ableism many have experienced. It’s a time to celebrate each person’s uniqueness and to encourage those with disabilities to show up, just…
Read More10 Inclusive Summer Activities You’ll Want to Do Right Away
When spring starts to wane, many of us get super excited for summer. We whip up a laundry list of things we want to do to make the most of the season. Then we get about one month in and… now what? Planning out intentionally-inclusive activities for the summer takes more than just creative thinking.…
Read MoreHow to Take Care of Yourself This Summer as a Caregiver or Program Staffer
We are officially deep into the heat of summer! The chaotic schedule of summer camps and programming that keep kids busy all season long is also keeping you moving at a rapid-fire pace. As you take care of all those kiddos, who is taking care of you? Self-care is more than just a buzzword. It’s…
Read MoreHitting Inclusion Out of the Park with the Beautiful Lives Project & Triple Crown Sports
Attend the Field of Dreams event on July 11th in Santee, California Sports are ingrained in our culture. From watching them on TV in the evenings, playing them on the weekends, discussing the highlights at the water cooler, and wearing jerseys to represent our favorite teams, we’re surrounded by sports all the time. The thrill…
Read MoreInclusion In Playgrounds: Why Is It Important?
Learn how an inclusive and accessible playground is beneficial for all children and their parents. All kids want to play. As every educator and child advocate knows, play is so essential in childhood that the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights declares it as every child’s right. But the unfortunate reality is that not…
Read MoreReflecting on Freedom for All in the Disability Community
Addressing Issues Facing BIPOC with Disabilities When we say “freedom,” what comes to mind? Is it flags waving in the summer heat as fireworks illuminate the sky above with red, white, and blue starbursts? It’s an iconic image! For so long, we celebrated July 4th as the only Independence Day for the USA, a time…
Read MoreHow to Foster Friendships Between Kids With and Without Disabilities
Fostering Friendships Just in Time for National Best Friends Day – June 8th From joyous, judgment-free days spent together to constructive opinions from our closest confidants, we know that friendship is a valuable asset to our happiness as humans. It does a lot of good for our well-being and quality of life: It opens our…
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