Business / Community > Building Inclusive Child Care Project

What’s New… 1. Child Care Online Video spotlighting inclusive practices and Universal Design for Learning 2. 2009 Professional Development Opportunities BUILDING INCLUSIVE CHILD CARE PROJECT The Building Inclusive Child Care (BICC) project focuses on the inclusion of young children with disabilities through the integration of Universal Design For Learning (UDL) principles and family-centered practices. The project uses family mentors and child care consultants to provide information, resources, and strategies to child care providers in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties. Family mentors also work with NCC faculty and students to create greater awareness and understanding of the family perspective. Additionally, the project’s initiatives seek to impact early learning statewide through the dissemination of a Universal Design for Learning Checklist and DVD which highlights specific examples of UDL in early childhood environments. The BICC project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council and administered by Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. About Northampton Community College Northampton Community College offers associate degree programs in early childhood education and special education that prepare teachers for inclusive programs. Rebecca Gorton Early Childhood Program Director E-mail: rgorton@northampton.edu Robin Cunconan-Lahr, Esq. Special Education Program Coordinator E-mail: rclesq@aol.com

Interaction amongst parents, aides and instructors helps to build a solid foundation for each child’s education. “Deven has the same opportunities to learn as all of the other children in the class,” says Paula. “The center bought Braille books and a Braille labeler, and they are open to having Deven’s therapist come in to work with him in class.”