NAA partners with KIT to provide support

to disabled children for participating in

Afterschool Programs
According to The United Nations Children's Fund, originally known as the United Nations
International Children's Emergency Fund, out of 20 every 1 child of age 14 or even younger are
somehow dealing with either moderate or severe disability which leads them to be disregarded
from the activities happening in their communities or school. It was found by the National
Longitudinal Transition Study that when compared with their fellow normal peers, only 33% of
students with either developmental or Intellectual disabilities take part in any sort of
extracurricular activities. Regardless of their abilities, these kids have a complete right to be
included in implicitly.
To include these children in such activities and boost the number of disable children
participating in extracurricular activities, the National Afterschool Association (NAA) and the
Kids Included Together (KIT) have partnered up to make the afterschool programs as welcoming
& safe place for those with disabilities or some sort of complex needs.
The CEO of KIT, Torrie Dunlap passed the following statement: "Our nonprofit's mission is to
ensure that children with varying abilities have a chance to reach their full potential as
productive, caring and responsible citizens. This new partnership will ensure that our best-in-
class inclusion and behavior support training and professional development is available to more
afterschool professionals. This professional development will help them be better prepared to
make accommodations and provide a welcoming environment for all kids -regardless of their
abilities."
The main mission of KIT goes well in line with the mission of NAA which is to promote the
development, encourage the promotion of the afterschool time community and provide
education.
"At NAA, we understand every individual is unique and we continually strive to provide
opportunities that foster the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of all youth,"
said Heidi Ham, Vice President of Programs and Strategy, NAA. "Children achieve their full
potential when supported through an empowering program space."