9 Inclusive Education Resources to Share With School and Community Leaders

The struggle is real.

If you don’t already live in a school district that prioritizes inclusive education, advocating for your child or students can be an uphill battle. We get a number of messages for recommendations of resources to share with “decision-makers” in school districts and community leadership. While we already have a resource that highlights 100 of the best inclusive education links, sometimes a large list like this can be overwhelming.

Here are 9 resources you can share with school and community leaders to advocate for inclusive practices in your neck of the woods.

Videos that Support Inclusive Education

From Coor Down, the story of Lea (a girl with Down syndrome) that wants to go to school. “Let our story begin the right way. Check out http://www.includeusfromthestart.com to learn more about inclusive education.”

A short video produced by Down Syndrome Queensland in conjunction with Griffith Film School and Pullenvale State School. The 4-minute video showcases the difference between integration, perceived inclusion and true inclusion in a classroom environment.

Jennifer Sommerness giving her Ignite talk, “Why Special Ed Isn’t,” at Ignite Minneapolis 11 at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on November 3, 2016.

Resources that Support Inclusive Education

The Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE)

Founded in 1988, MCIE’s initial efforts were focused on community organizing and administrative advocacy. As we’ve grown, so have our services and expertise. Today, MCIE successfully promotes effective and inclusive education practices in Maryland, across the United States and internationally! We develop partnerships with school districts and state agencies; and we collaborate with universities, advocacy agencies, professional organizations, and a variety of disability groups. We assist schools in their work to improve instruction and social/behavioral supports, and we share current information on evidence-based educational practices. Through our customized services, we provide solutions for inclusive education at the system, school and student level

Swift Education Center

SWIFT is a national technical assistance center that builds whole system—state, district, school, and community—capacity to provide academic and behavioral support to improve outcomes for all students.

We are a group of people who are passionate about transforming U.S. public education so that all students are welcomed and included in their neighborhood schools and age appropriate general education classrooms with support. We work at University of Kansas Lifespan Institute. To learn more about us, visit our LinkedIn page.

TIES Center

TIES Center is the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies. It works with states, districts, and schools to support the movement of students with disabilities from less inclusive to more inclusive environments.

TIES stands for Increasing (T)ime, (I)nstructional Effectiveness, (E)ngagement, and State and District (S)upport for Inclusive Practices. Inclusion is an ongoing commitment to work for the valued membership, active participation, and learning of each student with their age grade peers, utilizing a wide array of school community structures, practices, and supports.

Infographics that Support Inclusive Education

This infographic, while we don’t know who originally created it, was our first viral post. It continues to be shared around the world as an example of inclusive education versus segregation.

From Brookes Publishing, this fact sheet gives excellent information on some facts about inclusive education.

From Katie Novak, an infographic that explains the difference between an inclusionist and an exclusionist mindset.

Tim Villegas is the Director of Communications for MCIE, Editor-in-Chief of Think Inclusive, and the host of the Think Inclusive Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @TheRealTimVegas.