KIDS launches inclusive play initiatives
5 October 2004
KIDS, the service delivery charity for disabled children and their families, will launch new initiatives for including disabled youngsters in play and childcare, at the charity's annual meeting on 06 October 2004.
Paths to Inclusion
The theme of the meeting is Paths to Inclusion and will see the launch of major new KIDS publications aimed at supporting the inclusion of disabled children.
The All Of Us pack contains two documents to promote inclusive policy and practice:
- All Of Us - Inclusion Checklist For Settings - outlines good practice for playworkers, childminders and other childcare staff in including disabled children, and
- All Of Us - Inclusion Framework For Local Authorities - offers ways for local authorities to move policy into practice in including disabled children.
Both are intended to support the inclusion of disabled children in mainstream services for children aged five to 16 years, but are also relevant to settings for younger children. They are the result of a UK-wide consultation process by KIDSactive, a division of KIDS, and produced under the Playwork Inclusion Project contract with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
The pack is available free of charge: tel. 020 7359 3073 or email Kids.
- Pick & Mix - a selection of inclusive games and activities - a new book with a wealth of practical ideas, games and activities for all children to enjoy, thus helping to promote the inclusion of disabled children in any play or early years setting.
The book is the result of consultation with playworkers and many years of nationwide playwork practice and training. Pick & Mix costs £10.00 to voluntary organisations and £20.00 to statutory bodies. It is available from York Publishing Services Ltd: tel. 01904 431 213, Email.
Practical help with DDA
Both these initiatives and KIDS' annual meeting coincide with the October 2004 implementation of the final stages of The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, when public services and businesses will need to make reasonable changes, including adapting premises or removing physical barriers, to become accessible to the 700,000 children and young people in Britain.
The Minister of State for Children, the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP will be the guest speaker at the 2004 annual meeting. "Both the All of Us pack and the Pick and Mix materials will play a major role in achieving inclusive practice in mainstream settings," says Margaret Hodge. "These new KIDS publications mark a significant step forward in supporting the inclusion of disabled children in play and childcare." Sam Brier, Chief Executive of KIDS, said that the latest resources a will support many providers, particularly as the final stage of the Disability Discrimination Act comes into being this month.
Press release: KIDS
