Alliance for Equitable Disability Inclusion in Education (AED in ED)
A DPS Foundation-affiliated initiative
An alliance of community partners dedicated to disability equity and inclusion promoting growth and leadership within our Durham Public School system to support students, families, and DPS staff.
Goals:
Promoting meaningful and equitable disability inclusion within the Durham community
Facilitating and supporting disability-related best practices for DPS educators, administrators, students, and families
Building our network of support for alliance of disability inclusion and equity within our community
Partners:
Autism Society of North Carolina
Cindy Martin
The Autism Society of North Carolina improves the lives of individuals with autism, supports their families, and educates communities.
We respect and value the uniqueness of all individuals with autism; when provided the opportunity, each person can make a unique contribution to their family, community, and society.
Our services and programs are tailored to the unique needs of individuals with autism. We enable them to have healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives in their own communities. Our expertise helps individuals – many of whom have significant lifelong needs – be as independent as possible and achieve their goals and dreams.
We help families connect with resources, keep their children safe, find services, and resolve school issues. We also provide guidance on lifelong issues including employment, residential options, and planning for children’s needs beyond parents’ lives.
BE ME Occupational Therapy
Jenna Meehan
offering neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy and consultations for individuals, systems, and communities
Durham Public Schools / Exceptional Children's Department
Kristin Bell
The Exceptional Children’s Department is dedicated to providing quality services and supports to schools to ensure all requirements of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and North Carolina Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities are implemented with fidelity. We support our students, staff, and families through direct service, allocation of resources, professional learning, consultation, and collaborative relationships and processes.
Durham County Cooperative Extension
Sherrell Hicklen House
Durham County Cooperative Extension creates opportunities for lifelong learning and connects residents with resources to improve quality of life. We are a part of NC Cooperative Extension, an educational partnership between counties and our land grant universities - NC State and NC A&T. The mission of Cooperative Extension is to partner with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land, and economy of North Carolinians.
Emerge Pediatric Therapy
Brittni Winslow
Our mission is to:
1) Provide children with customized, engaging, and motivating occupational, speech-language, and physical therapy,
2) Empower their families through education and compassionate wrap-around care,
3) And build a community of professionals who care for the “whole child” rather than treat a set of symptoms.
Village of Wisdom
Nadiah Porter nporter@villageofwisdom.org
We work with Black children and their families to protect Black Genius!
Village of Wisdom is at the beginning stages of becoming an inclusive organization. Although our work centers on race-equity, we see and value the intersectionality of disability and all areas of justice, and we look forward to opportunities to understand and expand our offerings to support the needs of those with disabilities.