Indiana CEC

Beyond Barriers: Educating Exceptional Children

Join educators from across Indiana for a full day of learning, connection, and inspiration focused on supporting exceptional learners. CEC members receive discounted rates, and registration is open to non-members.

✨ Early-Career Educator Cohort (Years 1–2): Complimentary registration

Eligible participants should have received a registration code via email.

📅 Conference Details
Date: February 17, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Location: Monroe Convention Center | Bloomington, Indiana

🌟 What to Expect
Kick off the day with a keynote by Dr. Shaun Woodly, The Art & Science of Transformational Instruction: Engaging Every Student, Everywhere, followed by four rounds of concurrent sessions featuring Indiana educators and partners from across the state.

👉 View the full conference schedule:

Schedule View schedule.

Registration is OPEN - you do NOT want to miss this event...
📅 February 17 | 📍 Monroe Convention Center, Bloomington, Indiana
Registration: indiana.exceptionalchildren.org

👏👏Check out this session! 👏👏

Beyond Barriers Educating Exceptional Children, February 17, 2026 at the Monroe Convention Center | Bloomington, Indiana.

2:50–3:50 PM | Concurrent Sessions 4
Creating Accessible Play Experiences for All Children: Switch-Adapted Toys
Presenter(s): David Jackson, Mopinre Akinola-Olabanji, Bukola Abiiba & Dr. Jasmine Begeske

This hands-on workshop is perfect for teachers who want to make play more inclusive for students with extensive support needs. We’ll explore how to transform everyday toys into accessible tools that support engagement, learning, independence, and JOY.

You’ll learn:

Why and how switch-adapted toys increase access and participation

Creative, practical ways to adapt toys for your classroom

Skills you can use immediately with confidence

CEC members receive discounted rates, and non-members are welcome!

If you’re passionate about inclusive practices and want practical strategies you can actually use, we would love to see you there!
register here: https://indiana.exceptionalchildren.org/events/beyond-barriers-educating-exceptional-children-convention



Indiana CEC

Beyond Barriers: Educating Exceptional Children Convention Join us for the Beyond Barriers: Educating Exceptional Children Convention.

✨✨Registration is open for Beyond Barriers: Educating Exceptional Children 2026! Join educators from across Indiana on February 17 in Bloomington for a full day of learning, connection, and inspiration focused on supporting exceptional learners. Register today at indiana.exceptionalchildren.org.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Shaun Woodly as the keynote speaker for Beyond Barriers: Educating Exceptional Children 2026!

🙌🙌Do NOT miss out! 🙌🙌

2026 INCEC Awards - Recognizing Excellence in Special Education!

Each year, the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children (INCEC) proudly recognizes outstanding leaders, advocates, and students who make a lasting impact in the field of special education.

We invite you to submit nominations for the 2026 INCEC Awards, which will be presented during the INCEC Spring Conference: Beyond Barriers—Educating Exceptional Children on February 17, 2026, at the Monroe Convention Center in Bloomington, IN.

Award recipients will be notified by February 6, 2026.
Nomination deadline: January 30, 2026.

Click here to submit a nomination https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewCRn6dK0tgGgfnKEsvvfnom42uL_W1DaXa1MIHznIh5sEOw/viewform?usp=headerView

View full award descriptions
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gv7d792uzqpTf8x2btlI3fZ4mA7SgG1LFY6-Co-w8w4/edit?usp=sharingDistinctive

Award Categories

Service of the Year Award
Recognizes an individual, business, or organization that has made outstanding contributions to children with exceptionalities or to INCEC’s mission.

Outstanding Administrator of the Year
Honors an administrator who demonstrates exceptional leadership, vision, and advocacy in advancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Outstanding Advocate of the Year
Celebrates a business, organization, or individual who educates the public, provides exceptional support, or furthers the mission of INCEC.

Outstanding Professor of the Year
Acknowledges a professor who goes above and beyond in preparing future educators and advocating for individuals with disabilities.

Outstanding Student Chapter Advisor Award
Recognizes a dedicated advisor who inspires and supports university CEC student members, exemplifying excellence in mentorship and leadership.

Outstanding CEC Student Member of the Year (Undergraduate & Graduate)
Honors student members who demonstrate leadership, dedication, and meaningful contributions to CEC and the field of special education.

Paraeducator of the Year
Highlights a paraeducator whose skill, dedication, and compassion have made a measurable difference in the lives of students with disabilities.

Special Educator Rising Star Award
Recognizes an early-career special educator (within the first five years) who demonstrates exceptional promise, leadership, and commitment to inclusive education.

Teacher of the Year Award
Celebrates an outstanding CEC member teacher whose work exemplifies excellence in instruction, advocacy, and outcomes for students with exceptionalities.

YES, I CAN! Student Award
Honors children and youth with exceptionalities (ages 3–21) for their achievements in academics, arts, self-advocacy, community involvement, technology, or transition skills.

2026 INCEC Award Descriptions INCEC Award Descriptions Distinctive Service of the Year Award The recipient of this award may be a business, organization, agency or individual who 1) has demonstrated exemplary personal and professional qualities while making outstanding contributions to children with exceptionalities or 2) ha...

INCEC is proud to offer two scholarships every year at the INCEC Spring Conference: Beyond Barriers—Educating Exceptional Children on February 17, 2026, at the Monroe Convention Center in Bloomington, IN. Follow the links for additional information regarding each scholarship.
Scholarship recipients will be notified by February 6, 2026.
Application deadline: January 30, 2026.

Dr. Michael Livovich Servant Leader Scholarship
Awarded to a current or aspiring special educator or student who exemplifies servant leadership—demonstrating empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to helping others thrive.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvmeUIpuWGXFHxlLlQPk_lhNNIb0H9-8qJswzWymKdccL0bg/viewform?usp=header

Dr. William Littlejohn Scholarship
A $500 scholarship recognizing an undergraduate student pursuing licensure in special education who exemplifies professional excellence and dedication to inclusive education.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZrwTmxrQeHDji_tk5lTEbOaBXEiqDNxS3PeP6pXdOEguTEw/viewform?usp=header

Join us in recognizing the outstanding individuals who inspire, lead, and make a difference every day.
Submit a Nomination https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewCRn6dK0tgGgfnKEsvvfnom42uL_W1DaXa1MIHznIh5sEOw/viewform?usp=headerView

Detailed Award Criteria
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zQPCA8DTioPTIjdlbA0LbQ55Nzrm45XpWc3nV1BWJlk/edit?usp=sharing

For questions, please contact Meghan Highfield at [email protected].

2026 INCEC Award Descriptions INCEC Award Descriptions Distinctive Service of the Year Award The recipient of this award may be a business, organization, agency or individual who 1) has demonstrated exemplary personal and professional qualities while making outstanding contributions to children with exceptionalities or 2) ha...

This week we take the time to recognize and learn more about supporting those with invisible disabilities. Awareness is the first step to providing support, whether they are a loved one, colleague, or student. Find out more from the Invisible Disabilities Association:

Invisible Disabilities Week 2025 October 19-25 Bring awareness, education and support to your family, friends, co-workers, community and around the world during Invisible Disabilities Week October 19 – 25, 2025.

The Department of Education has nearly wiped out OSEP and RSA—offices essential to ensuring students with disabilities receive the services they’re guaranteed under IDEA. Congress must act NOW. Tell lawmakers: Restore OSEP. Protect IDEA.

By preschool age, many children are building confidence in their gross motor skills. Running, climbing, hopping on one foot, catching a large ball, and beginning to skip are all common milestones at this stage. These skills help with balance, coordination, and overall physical development. It’s important to remember that all children develop at their own pace, and some may master these skills earlier or later than others. Encouragement, practice, and active play give preschoolers plenty of opportunities to strengthen their abilities. Celebrate progress, not perfection!



Source: The Daycare Teacher Stories

BREAKTHROUGH for students with learning disabilities!

Join the Learning Disabilities Strategy Summit on Oct 16, 2025
2 powerful keynotes | Choose from multiple sessions
Unlock proven strategies to help your students thrive! Sign up now!

INCEC Early Career Special Educator Workshop Register Now! As a local Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Unit, Indiana CEC's mission is to improve, through excellence and advocacy, the education and quality of life for children and youth wit