Transcript Slide 1

Development of the ECA and
ECIA Joint statement
John Forster CEO
Noah’s Ark Inc
Melbourne, Australia
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What are the concerns?
a
risk that children with
disabilities are going to be left
further behind
children with disability won’t
‘maximise their potential and
participate’
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Joint statement on inclusion
a
vision for high quality
inclusive practices
a framework for policy and
programs
combines the evidence base
and knowledge in the two
organisations
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Process
Listening
sessions (7)
Expert panels (2)
National survey (1403)
Drafting Team (2+2)
Consultation to branches (15)
Final Drafting
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Joint Statement Structure
Position
Statement
Underlying beliefs: Rights,
Principles, Ethics
Rationale: Why do we need a
statement?
Actions: Professional bodies,
services, institutions
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Statement
 That
children with a disability
have the same rights as other
children
 Every child’s entitlement to
access and participate in
programs
 Need for professionals to be
resourced and supported
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Joint Statement: Rights
ECA
ECIA
Rights of the child
• Convention on the
Rights of Persons
with a Disability
• Statements on
Inclusion in
mainstream
education
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Joint Statement: Principles
ECA
ECIA
Best interests of
child
Social Inclusion
Diversity
Equity
Importance of
families
High Expectations
for every child
Evidence-based
practice
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Action
 early
childhood education and
care and early childhood
intervention professions;
 service providers, educators and
support professionals;
 governments, organisations and
institutions including education and
allied health training providers.
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Actions
 Attitudes
 Workforce
 Collaboration
 Lack
of cross sector
understanding
 Quality of early childhood
services
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