Justification for Attending the 2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute

Why Attend

Now in its 26^th year, UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute’s International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute is the premier annual conference for educators, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and family leaders working to ensure that all young children, with and without disabilities, learn, play, and grow together in high-quality, inclusive early childhood programs.

Inclusion is both a legal requirement and an evidence-based practice that supports positive outcomes for all children.

Decades of research show that children with and without disabilities make greater developmental, social, and learning gains when they participate in inclusive settings with individualized supports.

Federal laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Part C and Part B Section 619), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) affirm that children with disabilities must have access to natural, least restrictive environments alongside their peers.

Quality standards and licensing expectations for early care and education programs, including Head Start Program Performance Standards and many state quality rating and improvement systems (QRIS), also identify inclusion as a key feature of high-quality programs.

The 2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute will prepare attendees to meet and exceed these expectations through research-based practices, systems- and practice-level strategies, and partnerships that make inclusion achievable for every child and family.

Learning and Impact

Participants will: 

• Engage with national experts and innovators on practices that strengthen inclusion across early learning settings.
• Build strategies for collaboration among early intervention and preschool special education programs, public pre-K, Head Start, and community child care.
• Deepen family and community partnerships that promote meaningful participation and belonging.
• Access practical tools and implementation resources to enhance inclusive instruction, coaching, and program design.
• Connect with peers and change-makers to share ideas, strengthen professional networks, and sustain improvement efforts.

How This Supports Your Program or Organization

Attending the International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute 2026 provides direct benefit to programs across settings:

• Meeting professional development and quality improvement goals required by state systems, federal programs, and accreditation bodies (e.g., NAEYC, Head Start, IDEA Part C/B 619).
• Supporting access and participation for every child, regardless of background, ability, or setting.
• Strengthening workforce competence in inclusive instruction, individualized supports, and collaborative teaming.
• Building implementation capacity through evidence-informed strategies for system improvement and professional learning.
• Multiplying impact—participants will return with ready-to-use tools and are able to share learning through in-service sessions, professional learning communities, and/or program improvement plans.

Why Attend

Now in its 26^th year, UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute’s International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute is the premier annual conference for educators, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and family leaders working to ensure that all young children, with and without disabilities, learn, play, and grow together in high-quality, inclusive early childhood programs.

Nearly 240 million children around the world have a disability. However. worldwide, 49% of children with disabilities continue to be denied educational and other learning opportunities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities affirms children’s rights to access inclusive education alongside with their peers and that supports and services must be provided to ensure their full participation.

Decades of research show that children with and without disabilities make greater developmental, social, and learning gains when they participate in inclusive settings with individualized supports.

The 2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute equips attendees to meet and exceed these expectations through the latest evidence-based practices, systems- and practice-level strategies, and partnerships that make inclusion achievable for every child and family.

Learning and Impact

Participants will: 

• Engage with international experts and innovators on practices that strengthen inclusion across early learning settings.

• Build strategies for collaboration among early intervention and early childhood special education programs, and early childhood programs (e.g., child care, preschool, kindergarten).

• Deepen family and community partnerships that promote meaningful participation and belonging.

• Access practical tools and implementation resources to enhance inclusive instruction, coaching, and program design.

• Connect with peers and change-makers to share ideas, strengthen professional networks, and sustain improvement efforts.

How This Supports Your Program or Organization

Attending the International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute 2026 provides direct benefit to programs across settings:

• Meets professional development and quality improvement goals required by governments, systems, accreditation bodies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

• Supports access and participation for every child, regardless of background, ability, or setting.

• Strengthens workforce competence in inclusive instruction, individualized supports, and collaborative teaming.

• Builds implementation capacity through evidence-informed strategies for system improvement and professional learning.

• Multiplies impact—participants return with ready-to-use tools and share learning through in-service sessions, professional learning communities, or program improvement plans.