Child care and the ADA
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all child care and preschool programs must be inclusive and accessible. Faced with the complex task of program and policy restructuring to include all children regardless of their abilities - removing physical barriers, adapting the curriculum, retraining staff, and more - today's child care administrators, classroom teachers, and assistants are in need of guidance. Child Care and the ADA offers straightforward information, identifies legal issues, suggests cost-effective solutions, and presents a variety of hands-on materials for making ADA compliance easier. Beginning with a lucid explanation of the law, this revolutionary book provides step-by-step instructions for evaluating a child care center in terms of its accessibility and for developing a targeted compliance plan. Illustrative case scenarios, sample action plans, and convenient worksheets and checklists are included to help simplify the process. Recognizing that inclusion challenges the effort and commitment of everyone involved in child care center operation, this book addresses both administrative and instructional concerns. Child care directors will discover how to make difficult transitions easier for staff with simple steps for introducing the concept of inclusion, creating a forum for staff discussion of ideas and concerns, implementing in-service training, and maximizing resources. Teachers and assistants will be able to better handle special issues inside the classroom with effective strategies for talking to children about disability and difference, managing behavior, modifying lessons, and establishing safe learning environments in which all children are equally valued and respected. Complete with a comprehensive resource list and a helpful glossary, this essential handbook will guide child care professionals through the technical and emotional issues surrounding ADA compliance.