1. Disability Awareness in Early Childhood Education Keith P. Jones

2. Awareness - H aving or showing realization, perception, or knowledge. - merriam-webster.com “ Persons with disabilities ” - Article 1 states that “(p)ersons with disabilities include those who have long- term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”. - The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

3. Why Do We EDUCATE?

4. Educate - 1 a: to provide schooling for b: to train by formal instruction and supervised practice especially in a skill, trade, or profession 2 a: to develop mentally, morally, or aesthetically especially by instruction b: to provide with information : : to persuade or condition to feel, believe, or act in a desired way. - merriam-webster.com

5. "Inclusion is based on the belief that people/adults work in inclusive communities, work with people of different races, religions, aspirations, disabilities. In the same vein, children of all ages should learn and grow in environments that resemble the environments that they will eventually work in." -- Dr. Susan Etscheidt, Professor of Special Education, UNI - Department of Special Education University of Northern Iowa http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/

6. A child’s culture and ethnicity shapes their understanding and perceptions of those who are seen as ‘different’

7. An educator’s culture and ethnicity shapes their understanding and perceptions of those who are seen as ‘different’

8. A few

9. Is my School ready?

10. Is there FULL and REAL support?

11. What Is The Plan?

12. Am I Ready?

13. Thank you for listening. To learn more about how SoulTouchin’ Experiences can work with your organization, or to find out more about our projects please feel free to contact us. Keith Jones, President SoulTouchin' Experiences office: 617.718.2035 email: kpjones@dasoultoucha.com web: dasoultoucha.com