CPERL Publication Alert: Disability inclusion for early childhood care and development through twin-track approach

Introduction

Mary Khetani and colleagues have published a new study advancing a twin-track framework for disability inclusion in early childhood care and development (ECD). The publication emphasizes that meaningful inclusion for young children with disabilities requires both strengthening mainstream ECD systems and providing targeted, disability-specific supports. It highlights how early identification, early intervention, and early childhood education must work in tandem to promote sustained developmental outcomes. This framework underscores their interdependence, arguing that scalable system innovation must remain grounded in individualized supports that respond to children’s functional needs and family contexts.

This work aligns closely with CPERL’s research agenda, which focuses on advancing a/our participation-centered assessment and intervention strategies across contexts. As an example, the ongoing PROSPECT+ project reflects this twin-track vision by developing a technology-enabled tool for individualized goal-setting and immediate use in disability-specific early childhood contexts.