Abstract
Crossing Borders With DEC
It is estimated that more than one billion people or 15% of the world’s population today have a disability, many of whom have no access to education. Given considerable differences in definition and measure of disability, prevalence estimates of early childhood disability vary greatly. A joint report by World Health Organization and the World Bank in 2001 estimated children 0 to 14 years experiencing “moderate or severe disability” at 93 million (5.1%), with 13 million (0.7%) children experiencing severe difficulties. Another recent review of the literature in low- and middle-income countries reports child disability prevalence from 0.4% to 12.7% depending on the study and assessment tool. Thus, it is imperative that international governmental and non-governmental organizations in developed and developing world identify sustainable strategies which build on existing efforts to guarantee the rights of young children with disabilities and their families.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the DEC, through their members, have made great strides in crossing borders and bringing the resources, expert know-how, and encouraging positive exchange of information to support services for young children with disabilities. The recently revised CEC membership option provides large discounts to international members from developing countries. International membership to CEC and DEC provides early childhood special education professionals within the United States and abroad a broad spectrum of information services and professional development opportunities not available elsewhere. The international conference provides for a rich exchange of information and networking for domestic and international delegates.
DEC members have been instrumental in shaping effective policies at local, state, and international level working with other countries to help them enhance their services for young children with disabilities; in training preservice and inservice general education and special education teachers and related service providers across the world; in building strong and positive family and professional partnerships within the broader communities; and in providing effective leadership in schools and early childhood programs around the world.
The theme for the DEC’s 23rd Annual International Conference in 2007 at Niagara Falls, Canada, was “Crossing New Borders.” The keynote speaker at the conference, Dr. Michael Guralnick, shared his vision and suggestions for providing sustainable, multidisciplinary, evidence-based, inclusive supports and services for children with or at risk for disabilities and their families across the world. Much has been done since DEC members pledged in 2007 to cross borders and provide effective and efficient services to young children and their families across the world; but more needs to be done as harmful practices and discriminatory policies for children with disabilities continue to prevail in many countries.
Crossing borders is not just about getting your visa, buying a ticket, and getting on an airplane. Crossing borders is about a feeling of equity and dignity among nations and their people. It is a passion for supporting young children with disabilities and their families that knows no physical, social, or cultural boundaries. It is a deep understanding that we share a common goal and that we can listen and learn from each other to achieve this goal.
Let us pledge today that we, the early childhood field, will cross borders between religions, left and right, poor and rich, North and South, East and West, developed and developing nations and people to accomplish DEC’s vision to promote policies and advance evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities everywhere around the world.
Finally, I would like to quote my friend David Bartholomew, the creator of the One World Flag:
Because the time is now . . . For a world without borders; For heartfelt communication between people of all nations, without the barriers of language; For solutions that encompass everyone; and For a paradigm shift in the minds of us all, who declare that what has been, serves no more. The time is now . . . for tearing down the walls, opening our hearts, and to . . .
“ . . . because we have more in common as a world, than we have differences between nations.”
Thank you!