Registration is now open for the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute's (FPG's) 24th annual International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute, which takes place May 7-9, 2024.

For more than two decades, this event has drawn people from across the nation and around the world. The event, which will once again be offered in a hybrid format welcoming participants virtually and in-person, is designed for anyone caring for or teaching young children (from birth to age eight) with disabilities in inclusive environments.

Attendees include classroom teachers and assistants, government officials, family members, faculty, and researchers―many of whom return each year to:

• develop collaborative relationships and cross-agency systems that support early childhood inclusion;
• discover evidence-based practices, resources, and tools for promoting opportunities for inclusion; and
• meet, learn from, and problem-solve with peers.

Coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, the term “intersectionality” provides a frame to address the overlapping connection of social categories such as race, class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, and how social injustices, discrimination, and oppression can come with each and every part of a person’s multiple identities. And research has shown that minoritized children with disabilities are continuing to be disproportionately excluded from services and denied learning opportunities. As such, the Inclusion Institute planning team has made intersectionality and disability the focus of this year’s event―All Means All: Embracing Disability and Intersectionality.

Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, PhD, a global advocate, educator, disabled person of color, non-binary woman, and parent in a neurodiverse, multicultural, twice-exceptional serodifferent biological and adoptive family, will be the keynote speaker this year. In addition, the event will include a variety of other speakers―practitioners, leaders, family members, higher education faculty, technical assistance providers, and self-advocates with disabilities who will cover topics such as inclusive practices, respectful partnerships with families, supporting children with autism, and much more.

A continued partnership with SCRIPT-NC has the event once again offering a higher education/professional development strand and, in partnership with Childhood Education International, the Institute will offer a brand new international strand.

To learn more about the 2024 event and to register, visit the International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute website and read these other FPG news stories about last year's event: 

• 2023 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute draws 800 attendees from around the globe
• New higher ed track at International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute a success

*Note: originally posted January 19, 2024.