About Kids Included Together

Recognizing The ABILITY In Every Child

KIT stands for Kids Included Together, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in San Diego, California in 1997. The mission of Kids Included Together is to support recreational, child development, and youth development programs that include children with and without disabilities. KIT's goals are to enrich the lives of all who participate and to increase understanding and acceptance of disabilities as a natural part of life.

By training youth organizations on "how" to provide services to youth with disabilities, KIT's program design reaches beyond the scope of other programs for youth with disabilities that are generally segregated and time-limited. KIT's goal is to show organizations how to implement inclusion and sustain it long after KIT ceases to be involved. KIT's model will create lasting systems change, by permanently opening doors at out-of-school time programs to individuals with disabilities and giving providers the skill and confidence to successfully support children and youth with disabilities.

KIT's model relies upon providers embracing the philosophy of inclusion, which is that all children have value and the right to belong. Organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA's, Parks and Recreation Departments, and other enrichment programs have opened their doors to children with disabilities through their affiliation with KIT.

Value Statements:

• All children have the right to meaningfully participate in community activities.
• We recognize the need for fundamental change so that families of children with disabilities have equal opportunity to access and expect quality programming for their children.
• All children's lives are enhanced through shared experience and friendship with peers who may or may not have disabilities.
• Inclusion fosters the development of children with disabilities to become interdependent adults who actively influence the quality of their lives.
• Teaching and modeling respect for difference creates caring communities.

For more information about Kids Included Together, visit our website at www.kitonline.org.