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International

Advancing Special Education Practice Worldwide

CEC works with other countries to help them enhance their services for students with disabilities. Through its International Outreach program, CEC hosts educational delegates from the world over. The U.S. Department of State, International Visitor Program, and other private international organizations sponsor these delegates.

International membership to CEC provides special education professionals overseas a broad spectrum of information services and professional development opportunities not available elsewhere. Each year, numerous educators from other nations attend CEC's Annual Convention & Expo. A highlight of CEC's convention is the International Showcase Session, at which invited international guest speakers present.

Division of International Special Education and Services

International CEC activity is enhanced by its Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES). DISES promotes international communication, cooperation, and progress in education and services for children who have disabilities and/or gifts and talents. DISES serves as a catalyst for the international exchange of special education practice, promotes international research, and sponsors forums for professional development, and establishes networks that foster international association.

DISES also collects and disseminates information regarding international meetings, exchange opportunities, and special education activities and practices throughout the world. It also publishes a newsletter for its members, as well as the DISES monograph, The View Finder: Expanding Boundaries and Perspectives in Special Education, a collection of topics reflecting the current world scene with regard to the education of children and disabilities and/or who are gifted.

International CEC members may join DISES and 16 other CEC professional divisions. Many of the divisions publish authoritative, specialized journals. All of them send informative newsletters to members each year.

A significant part of CEC's work in international special education is its collaboration with DISES and the Step by Step Programs* to improve inclusive education in 29 countries. CEC offers professional development resources and multi-media training tools to international educators and hosts a section on the CEC Web site, by which international educators can access materials to guide their work. CEC also provides these educators with mentoring from U.S. and European experts as well as technical assistance on disability issues.

Go to the Membership page for more information about international CEC membership.

* CEC's work in this area is supported by a grant from The Open Society Institute