Inclusion Project Guide & Toolkit: a Youth Led Initiative (Virginia Department of Education, VDOE, & the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University)
Description:
Inclusion is defined as:
- being a part of a group or a part of something
- learning to live together
- treasuring diversity sharing gifts and abilities
There have been numerous demands from individuals with disabilities living in the community who are tired of being denied or ignored by a society that does not honor their right to participate in all aspects of community living.
The materials found in this guide were prepared by youth leaders with disabilities as part of a three year grant from the VDOE. This grant is coordinated by the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The goal of this planning guide is to give you practical information as you go through the process of putting together a successful Inclusion Project event and to provide resources, activities, and support as you plan and implement your ideas. If you need technical assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us for support.
This guide is intended to be used as a resource primarily for local education agencies (LEA’s). You may envision investing in hosting an Inclusion Project Event. It is recommended that you take an integrated approach, taking advantage of the rich resources within your entire community. Any organization or agency you partner with could also use the information in this guide to host an Inclusion Event lasting a day or week. You may wish to launch a series of events within the school and broader community.
This guide is divided into three sections: