From December 3-4, 2023, a group of 27 professionals gathered in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the EALA Community of Action. This unique biannual event brings together experts to tackle challenges facing students with disabilities and learning differences. The convening focuses on selecting promising practices, and within 36 hours, participants form teams to develop and present their innovative solutions. Through participatory grantmaking, attendees collectively choose one to three proposed solutions to receive funding, turning their collaborative ideas into actionable projects.

Feedback from Participants:

“The opportunity to serve as an EALA CoA coach was a highlight of my year. I had the honor of holding space for an inspiring team that focused on generating a solution that was reflective of a collective challenge their orgs shared, to support learners with differences. It provided an opportunity for fun, authentic connection, deep listening, and to put into practice mindful and emergent coaching skills. The EALA team created a very thoughtful framework for the competition process and brought a wonderful group of organizations together. THANK YOU, EALA team.”

Resources:

	Amplify Excellence Initiative: Enhancing Inclusive Career Exploration and Development Winner: Amplify Excellence In this case study, we explore how one EALA Community of Action group devised a plan to increase engagement and success in career education for students with disabilities. Website/External Resource
	Case study: Inclusion Today: Facilitating Inclusive Action Among School Leaders Winner: Inclusion Today In this case study, we explore how one EALA Community of Action group devised a plan for a public awareness campaign to promote inclusive educational practices in schools. Website/External Resource
	The Educating All Learners Alliance Community of Action: A Coach’s Perspective  The Educating All Learners Alliance Community of Action (CoA) convenes professionals to find and fund solutions for students with disabilities. This blog post highlights two funded projects: the Amplify Excellence Initiative, which recognizes inclusive educators, and the “Inclusion Today” campaign, a nationwide effort to encourage schools to adopt inclusive practices.