Ideas by IECSS Youth Advisory Committee Illustrated by SK Dyment
Image description: A group of young disabled children and adults are holding hands in a circle. Various assistive devices are being used by the children (e.g. wheelchairs, helmets, eye glasses, canes, and walkers). The children and adults have diverse identities in relation to disability, race, age, gender, religion, body size, and height.
Person 1: In every community in Canada there is childcare, schools, therapy, and healthcare for all kids!
Person 2: But making our services fit isn't always as easy as it sounds!
Child 1: This book is about what we have learned from families. Let's learn together!
The background of the illustration is displaying a map of Canada. Disabled children and adults are placed across the country. Various assistive devices are being used by the children (e.g. hats, eye glasses, strollers, canes, crutches, walkers, helmets, and iPads). Adults are present in relationship to some of the young disabled children. One young person is communicating with American Sign Language (ASL). The children and adults have diverse identities in relation to disability, race, age, gender, religion, body size, and height.
Person 1: Did you know talking about what I want and need really helped me?
Person 2: All I said was that they can't make decisions and leave us out!
A group of professionals, adults, and young disabled children are present in a meeting. There are two people standing at the front of the room next to a slide that says “list of services…choose one”. A group of five people, including disabled children and adults, are sitting around a table with papers in front of them and looking at the slide at the front of the room. The individuals at the front of the room and those around the table are talking to each other. Various assistive devices are being used by the children (e.g. eye glasses, cochlear implants, and canes). The children and adults have diverse identities in relation to disability, race, age, gender, religion, body size, and height.
Child 1: I have the right...
Child 2: ...to choose the people who care about me...
Child 3: ...and what I want to take part in!
A group of young disabled children are standing and sitting around a large wooden table with square and circular holes. Some of the children are holding pegs that are square or circular and trying to put them into the round holes in the table. Various assistive devices are being used by the children (e.g. eye glasses, cochlear implants, wheelchairs, hats, and helmets). The children have diverse identities in relation to disability, race, age, gender, religion, body size, and height.
Child 1: I am many things!
Child 2: Disability is an important part of my identity.
A young disabled child is displayed with two parts of their identity. On the right side of the image, half of the child is using a wheelchair. On the left side of the image, the child is sitting on a blue couch. On the left side, different interests of the child are displayed such as a tennis racquet, globe, paint can and paintbrush, pink book, and cat. The child has a dark brown skin tone. The child has black hair which is only displayed on the left side of the image.
Child 1: You should feel good about who you are when you are in your community.
Child 2: We have the right to access services that support the way our gifts shine.
Child 3: No one should feel left out!
Disabled preschool aged children and adults are present in a preschool classroom. The room is painted blue, pink, yellow, and green. There is a bookshelf in the back left corner. One child with a cane and eye glasses is taking a book off of the bookshelf. In front of the bookshelf, there is one child sitting alone on the ground with headphones on, and reading a book. Next to this child, there is a table with a group of children engaging in different activities. One child is painting, and a group of two children are sitting together reading a book. In front of the table, one child is alone lying down on the floor with their feet on a stool. To the right of the book shelf, a child with a walker is being accompanied by an adult as they walk across the room. In front of them, there is a group of 2 children and one adult is signing. One child is signing while sitting on a small stool, the other child and adult are sitting on the floor while signing. In the back right corner, one child is sitting alone at a table looking at a book. In the front right corner of the room, there is a pink carpet with one child in a helmet lying on their stomach, and another child working with an adult. The adult is sitting behind the child with their hands under the arms of the child. There is a ball and a walker next to the carpet, and puzzle pieces on the carpet. Various assistive devices are being used by the children (e.g. eye glasses, headphones, canes, walkers, cochlear implants, hats, and helmets). The children and adults have diverse identities in relation to disability, race, age, gender, religion, body size, and height.
Logo for Inclusive Early Childhood Service System and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.