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Inclusion Summer Institute

What is it?     Where it all began     Summer Institute 2008      Summer Institute 2007

Our Shared Vision for Inclusion

What is the Summer Institute?

The Summer Institute brings together a unique group of thinkers and doers to create a learning community, the three day event held one a year includes daily keynotes and frequent workshops led by presenters and facilitators. On the first day we open the learning marketplace to design a format for the three days. This allows members of the learning community to invent a personal agenda.

Where it all Began...

Inclusion Now Summer School 15th-18th July, 2002 ‘Inspiring’, ‘Powerful’ , ‘Informative’, ‘Really inclusive’ This amazing 'first of its kind in the UK' non profit making conference was organised jointly between DEE, Alliance for Inclusion, Parents for Inclusion and Inclusive Solutions. It was a great success! More than 150 participants from the Isle of Bute to Plymouth and many places in between attended the four day event of speakers, workshops and joint problem solving sessions. Speakers included Professor Gary Bunch from York University Toronto, Jack Pearpoint from Toronto, Prof. Mel Ainscow from Manchester University and Professor Len Barton from London Institute of Education, Phillipa Russell from the Disability Rights Commission and Suresh Grover from the National Civil Rights Movement. Among the outstanding highlights of as packed and stimulating four day programme were; Maressa MacKeith then a 17 year old FE student who is a facilitated communication user shared her story of 9 years of poor segregated education in special and mainstream schools and how she transferred to a Nottingham City comprehensive Ellis Guillford and leftwith 6 GCSE’s (A*,2A and 3B’s). Preethi Manuel a parent talked of her struggle both against racism and disablism to get her daughter Zaharah included in both her primary and secondary school. In a plenary session on developing a Social Model of behaviour over 100 participants working in groups identified over 150 barriers in ordinary schools which prevent the inclusion and leads to the exclusion of those labelled with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. Then many solutions were put forward that required the restructuring of our mainstream schools without much new expenditure. Richard Rieser, Director of Disability Equality in Education said: “This was a very successful four days. The Inclusion Movement in the UK is a growing collaboration of LEA’s schools, parents, young disabled people and their friends, professionals such as Educational Psychologists and Disabled People and their organisations...We look forward to a bigger and better Inclusion Summer School...”

The Inclusion Summer Institute 2008 June 4-6th, Trent Vineyard - a great community venue - Nottingham, UK Co- hosted by Inclusion UK -Alliance for Inclusive Education-Inclusive Solutions-Disability Education and Equality-Nottingham Trent University Themes      Speakers       Social       Testimonials       Flier       Photos Themes Person Centred Planning MAPS PATHS CIRCLES International perspectives on Inclusive Education Love is all it takes Restorative Practices in Schools: Far Reaching Implications Supported Living - Real Lives and SupportBrokering that works Creating Inclusive Schools and Early Years Settings Inclusion and Leadership: Developing Children’s Services and Centres Creating Effective Teams for 'Behaviour' - Theirs and Ours Citizen Advocacy and Intentional Invitation Transitions from School/College Educational and Community Leadership - Reaching out to the hard to hear Engaging your Wider Community Beyond Services Asset Based Community Partnerships 'The whole thing has been inspirational'

Speakers

Camila Batmanghelidjh Director, Kids Company Camila is Director of Kids Company. Kids Company supports children with severe behavioural, emotional and social difficulties resulting from significant levels of trauma and neglect. The children often suffer from abuse, mental health problems, substance misuse and homelessness. Kids Company aims to restore their trust and provide an environment in which they can begin the healing process, using a carefully designed support system that includes psychotherapy, counselling, education, arts, sports, hot meals and various other practical interventions. Kids Company currently delivers services to 11,925 clients through - 33 inner-city schools in London, - a drop-in centre at street-level in Camberwell and - a new, post-fourteen educational institute, the Urban Academy in Southwark. For ten years Kids Company has survived due to the support of charitable trusts and businesses. Camila has taken on and exceeded the challenge of funding the organisation. It has been a ‘hand to mouth’ existence for the organisation and Camila has kept united a staff team who accept that the future is always uncertain. On two occasions she has re-mortgaged her flat to see Kids Company through its lack of funding. Camila won the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2005. She has written Shattered Lives: Children Who Live with Courage and Dignity, Iand other papers. She was also nominated in The Good List 2006, of exceptional people. Camila never fails to recognise and reflect young people's courage and honesty in the face of what has and continues to happen to them. She is also very clear that the responsibility for what happened is society’s not the child’s – and that they should know this truth – as she says “The truth is precious. It has energy and, despite the depletion, it bears gifts”

Tom Kohler Citizen Advocacy Organiser, Savannah, Georgia Tom Kohler is a native of Savannah Georgia USA. His visit to the UK is a unique and rare event. Do not miss it! He has spent the last 30 years inviting people from all walks of life into many different kinds of personal relationships with one another using the citizen advocacy model. Tom is married to Betsy Kohler, they have 2 enjoyable daughters, Alice and Lucy. Tom is active in a variety of informal and formal civic and social groups as well. He and Ms. Susan Earl are the authors of the award winning book 'Waddie Welcome andthe Beloved Community'. Tom explored the theme of intentional invitation -- offering people ways to see themselves in one anothers lives....... The presention was developed around stories of people in Savannah Georgia. Tom presented a moving slide show "Waddie Welcome and the Beloved Community' as a way to explore the idea of valued social roles and community building'.

Tara Flood Director, The Alliance for Inclusive Education 'I have been a member of Alliance's National Council since 2004. I am a disabled person and a special school survivor and therefore an energetic member of the 2020 Campaign. My background is in disability rights activism at a local, national and international level and I hope I bring with me to the Alliance, my passion for an inclusive future for all of us. One of the things that excites me most about working for the Alliance is its 100% commitment to building the capacity at the grassroots, to support local campaigning on inclusion issues. The Alliance's success will be determined by our ability to create a bigger, stronger and more unified force of disabled children, young people and adults and our allies, all committed to our shared struggle for the kind of social and political change that will deliver real and lasting inclusion for all our children. I look forward to sharing the challenge with you!'

Richard Rieser Director, Disability Equality in Education 'The disabled people's movement believes the 'cure' to the problem of disability lies in the restructuring of society. Unlike medically based 'cures', which focus on the individual and their impairment, this is an achievable goal and to the benefit of everyone. This approach, referred to as the 'social model', suggests those disabled people's individual and collective disadvantage is due to a complex form of institutional discrimination as fundamental to our society as sexism, racism or heterosexism. In addition to this, the obsession with finding medically based cures distracts us from looking at causes of either impairment or disablement. In a worldwide sense, most impairments are created by oppressive systems - hunger, lack of clean water, exploitation of labour, lack of safety, child abuse and wars. Clearly, this thinking has important implications for our education system, particularly with reference to primary and secondary schools. Prejudicial attitudes toward disabled people and, indeed, against all minority groups, are not inherited. They are learned through contact with the prejudice and ignorance of others. Therefore, to challenge discrimination against disabled people, we must begin in our schools. Our fight for the inclusion of all children, however 'severely' disabled, in one, mainstream, education system, will not make sense unless the difference between the 'social' and the 'medical' or individual model of disability is understood.'

Micheline Mason Artist, Writer and Consultant on Inclusive Education 'I have a wide experience of working with voluntary and statutory organisations, including many Local Education Authorities. In 2006 my work has ranged from leading workshops on education at a Human Rights conference organized by the Social Care Institute of Excellence, to speaking to a group of teachers from Beslan, Russia, for the British Council. I am particularly interested in promoting the philosophy and practice of Inclusive Education and the Social Model of Disability through public lectures, talks atconferences, and training events for all those who are interested in understanding the issues at more than a superficial level. I am keen to develop work which explores the relationship between social class and exclusion.'

Helen Edge Kindred Spirits, Walsall Children's Services Kindred Spirits is about building  powerful new alliances to influence and make a difference in Walsall. Kindred Spirits is a journey taken with like minded people through the experiences of disabled families and looks at the new challenges for our communities. Here's what Helens says about Kindred Spirits; This is a course for people who are working towards desirable futures for disabiled children in Walsall. Participants on the course will be taken from Education, Health, Social Care, Parents, and Voluntary Agencies – all people who are concerned about children’s futures. The participants are mostly senior managers of their organisations who are able to influence change in their establishment and also to be champions for children with disabilities in Walsall.

Nigel Utton Headteacher Nigel Utton is a primary Headteacher and Chair of Heading for Inclusion. He has been a passionate supporter of education ever since his primary school flooded when he was nine (not his fault - although he did put a match to the pavillion in the park when he was five - the big boys made him do it). His 'mainstream' school was sent to share the local 'special' school building for a few weeks. He could not understand why the children had been kept separate - and he still can't! Nigel has beenusing Re-evaluation Counselling in schools.

Patti Scott Neighbors Inc. New Jersey, USA Patti Scott is Co-Founder of Neighbours In, which she established in collaboration with Kenn Jupp. She has been CEO since 1995, and leads a growing management team in implementing the organization's vision. In 2001 Neighbours Inc. received national and international recognition for its innovative work for Full Community Inclusion from AAMR. Patti is known for her work as an advocate of inclusion, a facilitator of community living, and as someone who has developed respectful and positive ways in which to help support people with challenging behavior. She is an established speaker and workshop presenter, statewide, nationally and internationally. Patti has delivered staff training and consultations for people who provide support to people with developmental disabilities throughout the USA, India, England, and Malta.

David Sahr Beyond Welfare, Iowa, USA Beyond Welfare states its goal simply: eliminate poverty in Story County, Iowa by 2020. Ambitious? Maybe. But the manner in which Beyond Welfare is moving toward that goal makes its attainment seem possible. To eliminate poverty, Beyond Welfare is reweaving community; promoting a connected life filled with enough money, friends and meaning for all. The Beyond Welfare folks call that their mantra—“we all need money, friends, and meaning”. But the inclusive implication of that mantra is startling. Poverty of life and experience can beset those who have enough money, but little meaning and few friends. So, there is something for everyone in the community built by Beyond Welfare. David Sahr: 'I am retired (I think) after having worked in the human services arena for about 40 years. Most of that time I was employed as a therapist in both the mental health field and the substance abuse treatment field. I also was the executive director of an outpatient substance abuse treatment program for the last 16 years of my career.I have done a variety of education programs as well as workshops and seminars on many different issues and methodolgies of changing peoples' perspectives and reponses to these issues. For the past six years I have been a very active volunteer with Beyond Welfare in Ames, Iowa USA. and am presently serving as the administrative executive to cut Lois Smidt's time free for more teaching and training. It has been a good use of the experience gained in those 16 years as an executive director.'

Tina Thordal and Ian Davies They have been working together for the past 18months delivering training which has included developing skills for people with learning disabilities who have the opportunity to become co-trainers. When not training lan works as a volunteer for People First‚ a self advocacy group based in Northamptonshire which he helped to set up 15 years ago. He now owns his own home in Corby. Walking the Talk! Are you interested in becoming a co-trainer? Then find out more by listening to Ian and Tina who have delivered training together for the last two years. Working on the Thai/Burma Border Refugee Camps/Children with Learning Disabilities Migrant School – Maehonson Le Per Her – Village school under attack from the Burmese Military

Derek Wilson & Colin Newton Inclusive Solutions Colin Newton and Derek Wilsonare co-founders and Directors of Inclusive Solutions. Together they have a combined experience of over 50 years experience as educational psychologists working across the UK. Previously as Principal and Senior strategic Educational Psychologists in Nottingham City LEA, they bring a wealth of practical, applied solutions and processes from theirwork with children and young people with exceptional needs aged between 0-19.

Social Scene... for some this was the best bit....

Laurence Clark Sit Down Comedy with Laurence Clark "A brilliant observational comedian... I would not only recommend this show but urge everyone to go out and buy a ticket immediately." Edinburgh Festival Guide Dukes of Jazz did their bit with songs from those keen to participate...

Just to say thanks for coming to the Inclusion Institute with me yesterday and today. So far I have found the whole thing inspirational. Just to meet and talk to all those like-minded people has been a great privilege and very humbling. Despite the difficulties I've had with my own disability in the past, I feel as though my problems have only been the very tip of the iceberg and the bulk of that iceberg is made up of all those other disabled people who shared their experiences and skills with us at the Inclusion institute. My eyes have been widely opened and I feel so included. I spoke to different people in both formal and informal settings and learnt so much about so many different things. Some of the things I thought about and wanted to question were mirrored by other people there. Before I attended I was worried I would be out of place or possibly even out of my depth, but so many of the things I learnt can easily be adapted for my work for NCHA especially certain skills which would be invaluable as a peer advocate. When I told people I was an advocate they were immediately interested and wanted to know more. In fact regardless of what I said people listened with real interest and this left me feeling valued and with something to offer others. It's all been run at an easy going pace that I could cope with and I've felt relaxed, welcomed and valued. It's boosted my confidence and self esteem and I'm very happy to have been a part of it. I'm looking forward to Friday although I'll be saddened at the end of the day because the event would have come to an end. I wished it could just go on and on. Thanks for your support What a fantastic time was had...World changing and personal! 'Amazing, inspirational and thoughtful '

The Inclusion Summer Institute 2007 June 6-8th, The Gateway Hotel - Nottingham, UK Co- hosted by Alliance for Inclusive Education-Inclusive Solutions-Nottingham Trent University - The Marsha Forest Centre Tornonto Themes    Speakers     Testimonials

What a mind blowing international and inclusive experience for all of us! There was a wealth of themes throughout the 3 days centering around both the development of fully inclusive education systems and issues of social and community inclusion. Leaders from within the disability community in the UK and beyond were presenting and we had a number of young disabled people also attending. Delegates from Russia, India and from around the UK participated with people working towards inclusive education in other parts of the world. 'Thank you very much for inviting me to attend such a wonderful and inspiring conference, it was fantastic and I am very grateful.  Thanks again.   Lucy Pitt Person Centred Planning Co-ordinator Positive Futures Team Joseph and his mum... yes they are definitely coming back!!

Themes Inclusive Education and leadership in inclusive schools Person Centred Planning MAPS PATHS CIRCLES International perspectives on Inclusive Education Supported Living - Real Lives and Support Brokering that works Creating Integrated teams - Building Shared Vision Teams for Behaviour Mental Health issues and Inclusion

Speakers

Micheline Mason and Tara Flood The role of an alliance of voices in the struggle for inclusion History has shown that the struggle for inclusion has often been an isolating journey - individuals are made to feel they are the only ones who want inclusion or that their expectations for inclusion are unrealistic or unreasonable. We are made invisible by society's desire to segregate those us who society considers to have no value. Coming together as a self organised collective of voices - disabled people and our allies, in support of inclusion has shown that the vision of a future where difference is celebrated and inclusion a right for ALL, can be made real. We looked at what barriers exclude us and how we can work together to end the invisibility.

One for All

Jack Pearpoint and Lynda Khan Inclusion Press, Marsha Forest Centre, Toronto

Colin Newton and Derek Wilson Circle of Adults Teams Reflecting and Problem Solving Around Emotional Needs and 'Challenging Behaviour’ This session modeled an in-depth problem solving process for use by teams of teachers. Using both process and graphic facilitation the group was guided through a set of key questions to reach a deeper understanding of the young person’s challenging behaviours, unmet emotional needs and to develop fresh strategies. The ‘Circles of Adults’ approach addresses the need for a problem solving process that is able to take an in-depth look at meeting the emotional needs that commonly underlie challenging behaviour in schools. The approach was co-facilitated and was designed to enable the participation of teacher teams to reach a deeper understanding of a young person and to evolve a set of hypotheses and emerging strategies that better accommodate to unmet emotional and learning needs. The approach is a time consuming one and intended for use with the most challenging young people, those at high risk of being permanently excluded from the regular school system. Judith Snow took on the voice of 'the person' . Our session was powerful and emotional for all present!

'Hello Derek and Colin. Just to say I thoroughly enjoyed the Inclusion Summer School.  It was such a wonderful environment to be in.  Can’t wait for the next one! Many thanks for all your hard work' Anne Emerson Research Fellow Division of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University

Judith Snow M.A., social inventor, artist, and an advocate for inclusion   You cannot be in her presence without experiencing a shift and seeing new possibility for yourself and others. Powerful, energetic and joyful, her passion is matched only by her commitment. Her entire life is dedicated to making a difference for people all over the world. She is co-author and star in the highly acclaimed multi-media play "Suck and Blow," a powerful demonstration that alters people's listening of (viewpoint about) those labeled "disabled."   Judith is a founding member and Associate of the Marsha Forest Centre.  In 1983, along with Jack Pearpoint, John McKnight, John O'Brien and many others, Judith Snow was a member of the founding Faculty of the McGill Summer Institute for Integrated Education and, in 1994, the Toronto Summer Institute for Inclusive Community.   In 1980 she became Canada's first person to receive individualized funding from the Government in Ontario. Shortly thereafter, she chaired the first ever attendant care action coalition, which caused the government to provide funding for 600+ people in Ontario. Also during those years, she developed a model that puts government funding directly into the hands of the people who need the support. Since then some form of liberating individualized assistance has been adopted by most provinces for people with all sorts of disabilities.   Judith is the Director of Laser Eagles, an organization sponsoring the opportunity for people with very limiting disabilities to create art. Using a revolutionary technology invented by Tim Lefens and brought to Canada by Judith and her friends, people who don't speak are showing what they're feeling and thinking, and painting spectacular pieces of their own design.   In the past seven years Judith Snow has concentrated on the contributions of people who don't speak. She has created several day-long workshops for 'quiet' people, along with their friends and family, to come together and explore what it takes to make a difference in their lives and make evident what they are contributing.     Judith Snow shows people that there really is no disability. "People are always contributing something. The work is to see the value and opportunity in what they're contributing and build that through relationships into community opportunities."

Jeff Dobbin, Parashoot showcased video footage never before seen in the UK!

Patti Scott Neighbors Inc. New Jersey, USA Patti Scott is Co-Founder of Neighbours In, which she established in collaboration with Kenn Jupp. She has been CEO since 1995, and leads a growing management team in implementing the organization's vision. In 2001 Neighbours Inc. received national and international recognition for its innovative work for Full Community Inclusion from AAMR. Patti is known for her work as an advocate of inclusion, a facilitator of community living, and as someone who has developed respectful and positive ways in which to help support people with challenging behavior. She is an established speaker and workshop presenter, statewide, nationally and internationally. Patti has delivered staff training and consultations for people who provide support to people with developmental disabilities throughout the USA, India, England, and Malta.

Lois Smidt Beyond Welfare, Iowa USA Much thanks again for a wonderful visit and opportunity. I will have to express more later because (a) I am sooooooooo sleepy and (b) I am still processing the joy and the learning.   'Stormin’ conference last week! I really appreciated the chance to be with you and share the experience with so many great people. Thank you so much.   Peter Bates National Development Team

Gerv Leyden and Jackie Dearden A Gateway to Personalising Learning How did you learn how to learn? How effective are your personal learning strategies? For most of us, schooling was about teaching rather than learning and exams to be passed, or failed. About what was to be learned, and probably forgotten. Ironically, it is possible to spend 20 years or more in the educational system without any opportunity to learn about and improve on our own learning strategies. Most of us carry into adult life habits and practices picked up through trial and error in our school days, remaining at the stage of ‘what’ to learn rather than ‘how’ to learn it. Encouragingly, as David Hargreaves recently pointed out, education providers in the UK are now being challenged to include ‘learning to learn’ as one gateway to personalising learning. Which brings us to self organised learning. What is Self Organised Learning? ‘Self Organised Learning’ (S0L) is a person-centred system, developed at Brunel University by Laurie Thomas and Sheila Harri-Augsten. It focuses on the learner and the learning as distinct to the teacher and the curriculum. It provides a framework, learning tools and techniques to assist the learner in identifying, reflecting on and improving her/his skills as a ‘self-organised learner.’ SOL is not an ‘off-the-shelf’ standardised package. Its theoretical basis draws on the positive psychology of George Kelly and Carl Rogers. It brings about change through ‘learning conversations’, which enable learners to identify the purposes and strategies and improve the effectiveness of their own learning.