Building Welcoming Spaces for Kids with Disabilities

This highly engaging and interactive workshop is designed for youth development professionals, educators, and community program staff ready to move beyond basic compliance and create truly accessible, welcoming, and enriching spaces for Kids with Disabilities (KwDs).

KwDs include youth with physical disabilities, neurodivergence (such as ADHD and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder - ASD), mental health challenges, and those impacted by trauma.

Ed Center's approach is more than just information transfer; it's a deep-dive into your own practice. You'll be challenged to reflect on your personal strengths and biases to build a genuine connection with the kids and families you serve.

What You Will Gain

This session will provide you with a comprehensive, practical framework to enhance inclusion in your program, focusing on:

• The Way to Inclusion Approach: Learn proven strategies for creating truly inclusive programs.
• Universal Design: Discover how to apply universal design principles to ensure your activities and spaces are accessible to all participants from the start.
• De-escalation Techniques: Gain effective, trauma-informed strategies for managing challenging behaviors with understanding and empathy.
• Family Outreach and Support: Develop better methods for partnering with families, including practical support and resources.

Self-Reflection and Practice: Participate in active learning methods like movement, mindfulness, role-play, and fish bowls to immediately practice new skills with peers.

Reminders from the DCYF Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Team:

Virtual Workshops

To receive workshop information such as Zoom links, PowerPoint slides, and additional resources, please ensure your email address is correct.

After registering through Eventbrite, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not see it in your inbox, check your junk/spam folder first, then contact the TA/CB team.

Some sessions may be recorded. If you have questions about recordings or confidentiality, please contact the TA/CB team.

If you’ve registered for a workshop but are no longer able to attend, please cancel your registration via Eventbrite, or notify the TA/CB team.

Participation

All workshops are designed to encourage collaboration, creativity, learning, and sharing. Please be mindful that workshops are interactive, and may include video, chat, or audio participation.

If you're unable to actively participate, let the facilitator know during the workshop.

We understand the many responsibilities you may have, and we strive to be flexible and accommodating. If you have questions about participation, please reach out to the TA/CB team.

Feedback

At the end of each workshop, you will receive a survey. We greatly appreciate any feedback you provide!

Questions

Please send any questions to ta@dcyf.org.

Thank you, and enjoy your workshop.