Bedford Borough Council’s Post

In a cross-college collaboration dedicated to service, Kentucky 4-H Youth Development is partnering with the UK College of Health Sciences to adapt toys for children with disabilities. “Play is essential for child development and toys are a crucial part of play. However, most toys are not usable by many students with different disabilities,” said professor Patrick Kitzman. “I love seeing the creativity of the 4-H youth and their ability to think outside of the box to make toys, books and games accessible." Learn more >> https://bit.ly/4eAfWSN

The Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence is introducing the Transition Series for the next In the Know Naptime topic. Our next four sessions will focus on all types of transitions, from entering an early care and education setting to transitions between activities and routines to moving from Part C to Part B. There’s a session for everyone; hope you can join us! Join us for First Steps: Easing the Transition into Early Care and Education for Every Child. https://lnkd.in/ekG3XkTY...

The Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence is introducing the Transition Series for the next In the Know Naptime topic. Our next four sessions will focus on all types of transitions, from entering an early care and education setting to transitions between activities and routines to moving from Part C to Part B. There’s a session for everyone; hope you can join us! Join us for First Steps: Easing the Transition into Early Care and Education for Every Child. https://lnkd.in/ekG3XkTY...

The importance of inclusion of young children with disabilities in early childhood programs is supported by evidence-based research, legal requirements, and policy guidance from ISBE and U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS). Implementing high quality inclusion aligns with the high-quality practices that we use to build our PFA and PFA/E programs. We can build strong inclusive programs using these practices and partnering with support from early childhood special education. Hear from the field how colleagues implement these practices. Join this webinar to learn more about supporting your program in increasing access for young children with disabilities and supporting your team to build efficacy around inclusive practices. To register, visit bit.ly/adminforum9oct Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL)

On the 3rd day of Christmas we drove 300 miles in the car with two small (very well behaved to their credit) boys and ate cheese and crackers and nearly forgot to do this, but happily these are three free things, free for the 12 days of Christmas and free for all the time. 1) The Core and Essential Service Standards for Supporting People with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities describe best practice care for people with profound disabilities, they're used as a tool for evaluation and advocacy - get them free here: https://lnkd.in/d_yenQg5 2) Free educational resources for use in special schools (and elsewhere) (if you're a teacher on holiday these could save you some time on planning). and... 3) 11 Free Sensory Stories, all on https://lnkd.in/ePSA4fmf (And whilst you're exploring the resources section check out the guides page too, they can come in handy when introducing people to sensory stories and sensory work https://lnkd.in/eG52R3g6 )

The Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence is introducing the Transition Series for the next In the Know Naptime topic. Our next four sessions will focus on all types of transitions, from entering an early care and education setting to transitions between activities and routines to moving from Part C to Part B. There’s a session for everyone; hope you can join us! Join us for First Steps: Easing the Transition into Early Care and Education for Every Child. https://lnkd.in/ekG3XkTY...

As the Chief of Special Education for New York City Public Schools and a mother to a recent NYCPS graduate , I am reminded every day of the incredible impact that meaningful family engagement can have on the success of our students. 💙 When families are not just included but truly centered in the educational process, we see transformative outcomes. This engagement goes beyond school meetings and forms—it means creating spaces where the lived experiences of our students and their families are honored and reflected in how we approach support.  I love the shift in our Beyond Access Series Webinars to feature the voices of parents in every single session! Families are experts in their own children’s needs. By listening deeply, building trust, and making room for diverse voices, we co-create a better, more inclusive future for all our students. 🤝 We must continue to invest in these relationships and ensure that every family feels seen, heard, and empowered in their child’s educational journey. Our next BAS video webinar is on travel training!! This was a hot topic last year! Check out our Youtube Page to see prior sessions: https://lnkd.in/ehSrQUTV I'd love to hear your thoughts: 💬 What’s one way you believe we can keep growing and shifting family engagement? 👇 Drop a comment below! Let’s keep this conversation going! #FamilyEngagement #SpecialEducation #LivedExperiences #InclusiveEducation #NYC #BeyondAccess

For neurodivergent, disabled, and other non-traditional learners and their familes, back-to-school can be an uneasy experience. Will my child receive the support they need and deserve? How can I best advocate when the system doesn't always recognize, affirm, and provide evidence-based supports for the challenges they face? How can we make this year their best year yet? Broad Spectrum Education's Caregiver Consultants experienced school as neurodivergents. We are teachers, administrators, and scholars who have raised neurodivergent children, and who have been caregivers for family members with disabilities.  We recognize that the vast majority of non-traditional learners – even those who have access to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) – do not receive sufficient support, and that resource limitations can place schools and caregivers at odds when determining the type and extent of services and accommodations an individual should be granted. We understand. Deeply. And because of our unique experience and expertise, we know how to help you to successfully advocate for school-based accommodations and services that will best benefit your Scholar.  We'll get to know you and your Scholar first. We'll build a comprehensive picture of your Scholar's learning needs, cognitive profile, circle of care, access to resources, and of course, their most important interests and goals. We'll review evidence of their past learning and performance, as well as their IEP / §504 / accommodations plan (if they have one). We'll then make evidence-based recommendations that will support their learning, performance, attitude toward school, and goal attainment, and we'll coach you in how to make a case for and secure appropriate accommodations, adaptive instruction, and services. And if you need us to, we'll even attend the meetings with you. Let's make this school year the BEST YEAR YET. Send us an email or give us a call. info@broadspectrumeducation.org (607) 227 - 6401 https://lnkd.in/gFafK9NJ Ari Broad Amanda Ma Kelsie Strom Florencia Ardon Gary Gerst Joe Durney Florencia Ardon Kate Keresztes Christina Van Ditto Florencia Ardon Christina Van Ditto

📣 New Resource for Families of Students with Disabilities The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has released a new one-page resource called Understanding the Special Permission Locally Awarded Verified Credit (SPLAVC) Accommodation for Students with Disabilities. This resource is designed to help families understand what the SPLAVC is, who can receive it, and how it works. https://lnkd.in/eXxf3GnV Here’s what you’ll learn from this resource: ☑️ What the SPLAVC is. ☑️ Which students are eligible for the SPLAVC. ☑️ How to find out if your high school-aged child is learning through an accommodated or modified curriculum. ☑️ Steps your child can take to obtain the SPLAVC. This one-pager is a helpful tool for families navigating the special education process in high school, so check it out today: https://lnkd.in/eXxf3GnV

My colleagues and I had the pleasure of meeting with some amazing programs in Richmond, VA! During one of our visits, we discussed how we support children with special needs. Here at Teaching Strategies, we have a powerful ecosystem that connects curriculum, assessment, family engagement, and professional development to support children with special needs.   Our curriculum provides meaningful, individualized, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children with disabilities.   Our assessment embeds authentic, observation-based formative assessment that informs a child’s Individual Education Program (IEP).   Our professional devilment provides all teachers the support they need to create the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities.   Our family engagement solutions create seamless transitions for children from home to school by building relationships with their families.