The Division of International Special Education and Services
(DISES), a division of the Council for Exceptional Children, promotes
international communication, cooperation, and progress in education and
services for children and youth who have disabilities and/or are gifted
and talented -- across all age groups, from infancy through adulthood.
The Division refers to these children and youth as individuals with
exceptional education needs.
To achieve this purpose, the Division's objectives are to:
- Improve understanding of the conditions facing individuals with
exceptional education needs and the professionals, parents, and others
who provide education and services for them throughout the world;
- Serve as a catalyst for the international exchange of information on
practice, research, technologies, and issues related to education and
services for individuals with exceptional education needs;
- Promote international research and cross-cultural studies that
advance education and services for individuals with exceptional
education needs;
- Sponsor forums for professional development and discussion among
those who are involved in providing education and services for
individuals with exceptional education needs;
- Engage in international projects and partnerships that join people
from various societies and cultures in working toward common goals;
- Establish networks that foster collegiality and international
association, recognize achievement and leadership, and foster broad
understandings of the international experience in education and services
for individuals with exceptional needs;
- Disseminate information in support of the Division's purposes.
DISES Publications
Members of DISES receive the Journal of International Special
Needs Education. Published annually, this multidisciplinary journal
focuses on the delivery of special education programs and services to
individuals with disabilities and/or who are gifted and talented
throughout the world. Submissions from every country are welcomed. To
discuss ideas for articles, you may contact the division president, Tom
Gumpel, at: tgumpel@vms.huji.ac.il.
The DISES Newsletter provides information about upcoming events,
international trends and practices, recently published materials, travel
and study opportunities abroad. The Newsletter is published three times
each year. The editor, Iris Drower iris.drower@asu.edu,
invites brief articles on special education and services in all parts of
the world.
Worldwide E-mail Networks and Newsroom
DISES operates an International Liaison Network composed of
individuals from 55 nations and jurisdictions, which is growing each
month. Each participant receives a Directory of profiles of all
Liaisons, an Index that groups Liaisons according to their professional
interests (for creating topical affinity groups), and regular
supplements that describe new Liaisons.
A U.S. International Links Network connects people in the United
States with Liaisons who share their interests.
It is not necessary to be a CEC or DISES member to join these
Networks. Interested people should send an email to Jim Patton at: jpatton@austin.rr.com.
Web Site
DISES is pleased to join with CEC to offer international pages on
this Web site as a joint project. The range and scope of international
information will expand as these Web pages are developed with the
guidance of an International Advisory Group.
Professional Development
DISES sponsors periodic Special Education World Congresses, as well
as international sessions at CEC's Annual Convention & Expo. During
each convention, DISES plans an intensive one-day program devoted to
special education and services in many countries, plus other sessions on
international issues that are scheduled throughout the convention.
International Lifetime Achievement Award
From time to time, DISES honors individuals whose life work in
education of services for individuals with exceptional needs has had
international importance. The first such award was presented at the
Special Education World Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia, in
April 2000.
Membership
The DISES membership includes individuals from more than 40 countries
and jurisdictions around the world, in addition to the United States.
Members are teachers, school administrators/ directors, faculty members
in colleges and universities and students in their programs, therapists,
parents, other providers of instruction and care, government officials,
and advocates for children and youth.
How to Join DISES
Membership is open to any member of CEC who shares an interest in the
DISES purpose and goals. Special student rates are available in the U.S.
and Canada for full-time college or university students, and part-time
students not engaged in full-time employment as certified professionals
in the education profession.
The yearly dues for DISES membership are as follows:
US/Canada
Premier and Professional - $24
Associate - $24
Retired - $18
Student - $10
All International Memberships
$15
Elevated shipping costs prohibit the reduced fee for students outside
of the U.S. and Canada.
DISES members must also be members of CEC. The international
membership application form for CEC and DISES is available on CEC's web
site.
For more information, people in the United States and Canada may call
1-888-232-7733 (toll free) or 703-620-3660 (not toll-free).
People in all other countries may email questions to CEC's
Constituent Service Center at: service@cec.sped.org or call
703-620-3660 (not toll-free).
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