Description of Inclusion

in·clu·sion, n. 1. to have as part of a whole, contain, comprise. 2. to take into account and include.

Inclusion is... "...a value that supports the right of all children, regardless of their diverse abilities, to participate actively in natural settings within their communities."

- Division of Early Childhood Position Statement on Inclusion, 2000

DID YOU KNOW...
Persons with disabilities represent the largest minority group in the United states.

Would You Believe?
Winston Churchill failed the 6th grade in school.

Would You Believe?
A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he had no good ideas.

Would You Believe?
When Thomas Edison was a boy, his teachers told him he was too stupid to learn anything.

The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole advocates and supports children with special needs being included in quality early childhood program. The Coalition employs an Inclusion Specialist to ensure child care providers and parents have a resource with expertise and knowledge for successful inclusion. Seminole County's Inclusion Specialist has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education.

The Inclusion Warm Line provides information and assistance for child care providers and families regarding children with disabilities and special health care needs. Seminole County's Inclusion Warm Line phone number is 407-833-4432 or Toll Free 1-877-322-8040, or call our Inclusion Specialist directly at 407-841-1110. Please see the Inclusion Warm Line Flyer for more information about the Warm Line.

The Inclusion Specialist can help with topics including but not limited to:

• Curriculum Issues
• Strategies for Managing Behavior
• Child Development Concerns
• Health
• Environmental Adaptations
• Laws and Regulations (i.e. The Americans with Disabilities Act)

There are inclusion specialists at each coalition office in our State and all are dedicated to:

1. To increase the number of providers who offer quality inclusive programs for children with disabilities and special health care needs
2. To enhance the confidence, ability level, and education of caregivers who care for children with disabilities and special health care needs
3. To assist providers and the families they serve in understanding and accessing the community resources and services available for children with disabilities and special health care needs
4. To increase community awareness of the need for, the requirements of, and the benefits associated with inclusive child care for all children

Inclusion...
    You can discuss it,
        You can argue it.
    You can like it.
        You can hate it.
    You can refuse it,
        You can embrace it.
    Regardless,
        It's the Law!

- Pamela C. Phelps, Ph.D.

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Additional Inclusion Resources

Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services
www.centraldirectory.org

Circle of Inclusion
www.circleofinclusion.org

Florida Inclusion Network
www.floridainclusionnetwork.com

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
www.fddc.org

Disability Resources
www.disabilityresources.org

Inclusion Resources
www.inclusion.com

Special Education Network
www.specialednet.com/inclusion.htm

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Florida Relay Services

Florida Relay is the communications link for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, or speech impaired.

Through the Florida Relay, people who use specialized telephone equipment can communicate with people who use standard telephone equipment.

To call Florida Relay, dial 7-1-1, or use the toll free numbers:

• 1-800-955-8771 (TTY)
• 1-800-955-8770 (Voice)
• 1-800-955-1339 (ASCII)
• 1-877-955-8260 (VCO-Direct)
• 1-800-955-5334 (STS)
• 1-877-955-8773 (Spanish)
• 1-877-955-8707 (French Cr)

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