Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs

A new policy statement from the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services sets the expectation that all young children with disabilities should have access to inclusive high-quality early childhood programs, where they are provided with individualized and appropriate support in meeting high expectations. The statement highlights the legal and research base for inclusion; identifies challenges to adopting inclusive practices; provides recommendations to states, local programs and providers for increasing inclusive early learning opportunities; and links to free resources that have been developed to support inclusion of children with disabilities in high-quality early education programs.