If you are a license-exempt family, friend, or neighbor (FFN) caregiver in Colorado, we encourage you to watch the Introduction to Universal Design course available at no cost on the Office of Early Childhood’s Professional Development Information System (PDIS), and explore other professional development which will be posted there soon. Also, check out other resources on our website, which include:
Links to local and national resources on Universal Design
Community forum to house frequently asked questions about creating inclusive and universally designed early education environments
All resources offered through the project are available to licensed childcare centers and preschools. The program is designed for childcare providers in homes, centers, and preschools, working directly in childcare settings. This designated representative should fill out an Interest Formto get started!
Adapt to Impact developed this Accessible Playgrounds resource to provide some guidance on making your playground more accessible.
Project Include and Colorado Early Learning: Universal Design Projectare previously funded opportunities for licensed childcare providers to learn about supporting children with delays or disabilities. Adapt to Impact has replaced these programs and is offering additional resources.
If you are a licensed Colorado childcare program, you can participate in Adapt to Impact by first submitting an Interest Form. After you complete the form, we will contact you to discuss next steps. You will have access to the Introduction to Universal Design training online. We recommend you complete this training early on, prior to using further project resources. You will also be eligible to receive quick program support and check out a Universal Design Kit to try adapted equipment in your program. These kits are available through your local Early Childhood Council and CIDE and organized by domain: Communication & Literacy, Fine & Gross Motor, Vision & Hearing, Behavior & Cognition, and Infant. You also can check out individual items through thestatewide loan libraryand have items delivered to a library near you.
Families will have access to all the information available on our website. Resources will continue to be added over the course of the project and will include the following and so much more:
The Universal Design training module, available through the PDIS System
Linksto local and national resources on Universal Design on the website
Community forum to house frequently asked questions about creating a universally designed early education environment
No, it does not cover information about screenings nor evaluations, but we encourage you to contact child find (CDE) for this support. However, we do provide support for childcare programs that have children who have been identified or are suspected of having a delay or disability and programs that want to be better prepared to support children with a disability.
Explore our website and view the numerous resources on UDL.
Yes, only licensed Colorado childcare programs are eligible to participate.
You can request several individual items and/or kit boxes. However, we would strongly recommend you start with just a few items the first time. The kits are available for 4–6-week periods and there is a lot to explore and interact with. Some items have many pieces so it may be easier to manage and return all the items if you limit your loan to a manageable amount.
Yes, you will complete the online training through PDIS and get credit for its completion.
The time commitment varies based on what child care program staff are seeking. The initial training is 90 minutes. After that, it is up to each program to determine what they need in terms of support.
Assistive Technology (AT) describes any device or adaptation that helps increase the independence and functioning of a child with delays and disabilities so they can participate with their peers. AT includes items that help with communication, movement, positioning, play and learning. Although it has the word “technology” in it, AT can include using simple, everyday materials, like popsicle sticks attached to the pages of a book, to create an adaptation for a child with a delay or disability. The terms AT and adaptive equipment are often used interchangeably.
This project is supported by...
Center for Innovative Design and Engineering (CIDE)
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