This website is for NYC students with and without disabilities who are interested in building inclusive school communities. The opportunities and resources below can support students with thinking and talking about inclusion, using inclusive practices and creating inclusive projects, deepening their understanding and commitment to inclusion, and connecting with other NYC students on this important topic.
Join our distribution list and receive emails about the opportunities below by emailing InclusionSummit@schools.nyc.gov.
Inclusion Summit
This year’s Inclusive Education Student Summit is a virtual speaker series for NYC students with and without disabilities. Register now and join us for the sessions below! These are opportunities for students to learn, reflect, and plan regarding inclusion in our schools and communities.
“College and Career Planning for ALL" Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 9:30AM on Zoom. This session is for high school students with and without disabilities. Register here! Hear from the DOE's Transition and College Access Center (TCAC) and Office of Post Secondary Readiness (OPSR) on how students with and without disabilities can prepare for the transition from high school to college or career.
“My Inclusion Story” Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 9:30AM on Zoom. This session is for elementary and middle school students with and without disabilities. Register here! Hear from Tamara Morgan, an inclusion professional, who is also a person with a disability, share her stories of inclusion in NYC public schools as well as her experiences of promoting inclusion for other children and adults.
“Student Panel: How I'm Making My School Community Inclusive and Why ” Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 9:30AM on Zoom. For all NYC students, staff, parents, and partners. Register here! Hear from three current NYC public high school students, moderated by a recent graduate. Send us your questions about disability and inclusion in the registration before the event to be included in the discussion.
Whole classes or student groups can register together. Any questions, accommodation requests, and input can be sent to InclusionSummit@schools.nyc.gov.
The Inclusive Education Student Summit is an annual event that brings together students with and without disabilities to learn about inclusion and the importance of students with disabilities being a part of our school communities. Students participate in conversations and activities around accessibility, diversity, and inclusion and return to their schools as advocates.
The Summit is held in the fall and offers in-person and virtual participation. Themes and topics often align to National Inclusive Schools Week. The event is hosted by the DOE and Parents for Inclusive Education (PIE).
Email InclusionSummit@schools.nyc.gov for details and registration information.
Inclusion Expo
The Inclusive Education Student Expo is an annual event where students with and without disabilities can showcase their inclusive stories, ideas, and work. Past events have included an open mic, a project fair, and talking circles where students have the opportunity to share their reflections and experiences regarding inclusion.
The Expo is held in the spring and offers in-person and virtual participation. It often highlights work that started at the Inclusion Summit in the fall. The event is also hosted by the DOE and PIE.
Email InclusionSummit@schools.nyc.gov for details and registration information.
Inclusion Talking Circles
Inclusion Talking Circles are ongoing, virtual, and available upon request. Talking circles offer small spaces for students with and without disabilities to discuss the diversity, equity, and inclusion of people with disabilities in our schools and communities.
You can host your own talking circle at your school using these norms and prompts, or you can ask us to facilitate. Email InclusionSummit@schools.nyc.gov to coordinate. If you host your own, please let us know how it goes!
Disability Pride Visual Arts Contest
Students can submit visual art each spring to participate in the annual Disability Pride Visual Arts Contest. The contest celebrates the challenges and achievements of people with disabilities in their struggle for equity and equal access, opportunity, and inclusion. People with disabilities are proud of their identity and their accomplishments that resulted in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The 10 finalists and one grand finalist will be invited to an event in the spring and have their artwork showcased. Recognizing that art is an invaluable means of expression and communication, teachers and families are encouraged to have meaningful conversations in their classrooms and homes around disability pride and history as they participate in the contest. Email CelebratingDisability@schools.nyc.gov and see the website for more information.
Inclusion Advisory Committee
Students and staff with and without disabilities interested in inclusion, disability rights, leadership, and current events can join the Inclusion Advisory Committee (IAC).
The IAC discusses current issues around disability and inclusion in our schools and communities, helps to plan meaningful conversations and opportunities for other students, and acts as leaders and role models for inclusion. The IAC helps to guide the thinking and planning for the inclusion events listed above.
The IAC meets virtually a few times a year, usually before and after inclusion events. Email InclusionSummit@schools.nyc.gov if you’re interested in joining.