2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute

When we say all children, do we really mean all? What does it take to ensure children with disabilities experience true belonging in early care and education settings? In this interactive session, we’ll explore what rightful presence looks like in practice and how to move inclusion from an add-on to an everyday commitment. Participants will engage in reflective mindset work and leave with practical foundations for creating environments and experiences where every child belongs. If you are new to early childhood inclusion or would like to have a space to prepare yourself for the conference experience, this session is for you.

This plenary centers the leadership and experiences of people with disabilities in exploring how belonging, agency, and self-advocacy take root in the earliest years. Framed by a discussion on rightful presence in early childhood systems, the session will examine how contexts, culture, and values can either strengthen or constrain a young child’s developing sense of agency and participation. Panelists will reflect on how their own early experiences shaped their sense of belonging, participation, and self-advocacy.