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IDAEL
The Indigenous-Disability Affirming Early Learning and Care (IDAEL) partnership is a collaborative research initiative led by Dr. Kathryn Underwood and Dr. Nicole Ineese-Nash. Funded by SSHRC PDG #890-2024-0206, the project brings together disabled, Indigenous, Black communities and other partners to co-develop disability-affirming and culturally grounded training and governance models.
Goals and Objectives
This project will support the maintenance and development of community partnerships to inform, co-develop, and implement early childhood inclusion practices in various contexts. The project will engage Indigenous Elders, disabled youth, and community agencies in re-thinking state supported care and developing new models for inclusion.
Activities
- Build sustainable governance models to promote inclusive practices
- Identify a broad range of culturally appropriate strategies to address systemic barriers in early childhood education and care
- Pilot and evaluate training materials
- Implement and pilot training materials at scale

A Partnership Between:
- Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN)
- Independent First Nations (IFN)
- Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg
- Keepers of the Circle (KOTC)
- Early Childhood Development Institute (ECDI)
- African Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC)
- Finding Our Power Together (FOPT)
- Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
- Peel Region
- Wellington County
- City of Hamilton
- City of Toronto