SpecialQuest

Video Information

Playtime: 26 min 13 sec

Volume Title: Including Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities

Session: An Inclusion Story

Video Description

This video explores the basic principle of inclusion: that every person belongs and is a full member of their community. The story involves the Port Gamble S'Klallam tribe and how it embraced and supported Christopher and his family when he was born with spina bifida. The tribe developed partnerships among the Early Head Start, child care, Head Start, Early Intervention agency, local school district, and many other service providers to create and support an inclusive program. Throughout the video, they share their experiences, lessons learned, and some practical strategies for listening to family prioirities, and developing and maintaining collaborative services. Christopher's Story was developed for SpecialQuest in 1999. It won a Bronze Finalist Award in the 2002 Telly Awards, which is one of the most sought-after awards in the TV, commercial, and video industry. Christopher's Story is also a 2002 Aegis Awards Winner. Aegis is a national video competition that features peer judging by professionals who work in the video industry.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will note what they've learned and reflect on their feelings about inclusion after viewing Christopher's Story.

Participants will discuss what inclusive services in "natural environments" means for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families and for service providers.

Participants will identify strategies for providing coordinated, comprehensive, family-centered services through partnerships among families, early care and education, and early intervention programs.