2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute: Full Schedule

1:00pm EDT

Tuesday May 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Opening and welcome: Dr. Brian Boyd, Director of FPG Child Development Institute, Chih-Ing Lim and Sherri Britt Williams, Co-Chairs of the Early Childhood Inclusion Institute will provide the opening remarks for this year's institute.

Keynote Address by Mychal Threets: Through stories, laughter, and reflections on mental health, Mychal ,shares his personal story about belonging and how challenges and barriers were addressed to make that happen.

Speakers

Mychal Threets

Mychal Threets is a librarian, mental health advocate, and, by his own admission, the library’s number-one fan. A lifelong lover of libraries, Mychal was homeschooled and raised among the stacks, receiving his first library card at the age of five. He began his career as a library... Read More →

Tuesday May 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Grumman, Virtual on Zoom

Keynote, All

Age Group 0-3, 3-5, Pre-K-3rd Grade
Audience All
Information Level Appropriate for all levels
Format Virtual, In-Person

2:45pm EDT

(Hybrid) The Power of Rightful Presence: Fostering Agency and Self-Advocacy in the Early Years

Tuesday May 19, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT

Grumman, Virtual on Zoom

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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.

Speakers

Amanda Kloo

Director of Inclusive Recreation, National Inclusion Project

Seena Skelton

Founder/ Principal Consultant, Makeeba Consulting, LLC

Dr. Seena M. Skelton is a nationally recognized leader in educational justice, inclusion, and systemic school transformation, with over 28 years of experience. She serves as the Leadership Development and Research Project Director for SWIFT Education Center at the Life Span Institute... Read More →

Alexander Campbell

Alexander Campbell is a self-advocate with autism and PTSD who primarily focuses on issues related to public education. Specifically, Alex has been involved in passing thirteen bills across five state legislatures, as well as several local school board policies in Virginia, and has... Read More →

Philip Woodward

Systems Change Manager, North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilites (NCCDD)

Manages community living initiatives. Has been Hard of Hearing since age four, wears hearing aids, reads lips, and knows American Sign Language (ASL). Very interested in friendships and Personal Support Network development for people with disabilities.

Tuesday May 19, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT
Grumman, Virtual on Zoom

Plenary, All

Age Group 0-3, 3-5, Pre-K-3rd Grade
Audience All
Information Level Appropriate for all levels
Format Virtual, In-Person

2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute