Inclusion and education systems transformation
Conferences - | to UTC |
Washington, DC
Shakuntala, 13, is the only blind student in her class at Adarsha Saula Yubak Higher Secondary School, in Bhainsipati, Nepal. Credit: GPE/NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati
Shakuntala, 13, is the only blind student in her class at Adarsha Saula Yubak Higher Secondary School, in Bhainsipati, Nepal.
Credit:
GPE/NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati

Time: 09:00-18:00 ET/13:00-22:00 GMT/15:00-00:00 CET

While some countries have made significant strides to meet the needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), nearly every country has fallen short in their efforts to develop schools as settings for full social inclusion, which requires going beyond physical inclusion to create accessible and meaningful learning settings for all, including children with IDD.

Focused on education systems transformation, the Center for Universal Education at Brookings’ annual symposium will convene key policy and decision makers, researchers, and practitioners committed to advancing education for people with disabilities, as well as learners with IDD themselves, to address the question: ''What would it take to transform education systems to be truly inclusive for learners with disabilities?"

The conversations provoked by this forum will seek to answer this question by elevating the voices of those actively engaged in advancing social inclusion for young people with IDD in schools and communities across the globe, with emphasis on lower-income countries.

Co-hosted by Special Olympics and GPE, the event will feature a range of interactive in-person sessions and networking opportunities.

  • WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS: What does it take to transform education systems to be truly inclusive of learners with disabilities?
    This opening session will introduce the event and set the stage for a frank conversation about what it will really take to build inclusive schools.
    • Rebecca Winthrop, Director and Senior Fellow in the Center for Universal Education (CUE)
    • Nyasha Derera, Special Olympics Board of Directors and Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger
    • Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait
    • Dr. Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics
  • CENTERING YOUTH VOICES: What do youth want to see on the agenda for building greater inclusion?
    Mr. Derera will lead a discussion with a pair of youth (with and without IDD) from Unified Schools.
    • Nyasha Derera, Special Olympics Board of Directors and Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger
  • RESEARCH SNAPSHOT: What do we know and what should we know about the systems impact of inclusive practices?
    A group of researchers will share key learnings from their brief on Transforming Education Systems for and through Inclusive Practices. This will be followed by a discussion of other key findings from global research.
    • Dr. Chris Johnstone, University of Minnesota
    • Jennifer O’Donoghue, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, CUE
    • Jackie Jodl, SOI Chief of Global Youth & Education
    • Jo Bourne, Chief Technical Officer, GPE
  • CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS ON PRESSING TOPICS
    • The Intersection of Gender and Disability
    • Engaging Families of Students with Disabilities in Schools
    • AI and Education Technology Innovations for Students with Disabilities
    • Innovative Financing for Inclusive Education
    • Inclusion from Early Childhood
    • Moving Inclusive Education Policies into Practice
    • Universal Design for Learning

Watch the closing plenary session:

Shakuntala, 13, is the only blind student in her class at Adarsha Saula Yubak Higher Secondary School, in Bhainsipati, Nepal. Credit: GPE/NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati
Shakuntala, 13, is the only blind student in her class at Adarsha Saula Yubak Higher Secondary School, in Bhainsipati, Nepal.
Credit:
GPE/NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati
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Event type: Conferences
Inclusive education