In the United States, an estimated 2.2 million children ages 5 and under have a reported disability—which may be an intellectual, physical, and/or developmental disability. For these young children, access to reliable, quality early care and education is crucial for their social, cognitive, and behavioral development. Early care and education is also necessary to enable the parents of children with disabilities to work or participate in education or training. Inclusive education benefits children without disabilities as well, promoting empathy and respect, enhancing social skills, and improving learning outcomes. Yet families of young children with disabilities have difficulty accessing child care and early education that meets their needs because of gaps in policies and inadequate resources for programs. And these gaps could worsen as enacted and proposed funding cuts to essential programs that support these children—as well as rollbacks of policies that protect them—are implemented.
This report outlines:
- Existing federal and state laws and programs that can help young children with disabilities access needed early intervention services and early care and education,
- The options states have in implementing federal programs and policies that can allow them to better serve young children with disabilities, and
- The limitations of and current threats to existing programs and policies for young children with disabilities.