Prof Deng Meng

Speaker's Biography

Prof Deng Meng is now a professor at the Department of Special Education and Director of the Research Institute for Inclusive Education at East China Normal University. He was awarded the National Talent “Changjiang Scholar” and he also served as Chairman of the Committee for Inclusive Education of the China Disabled Federation, Vice Chairman of the Committee of Inclusive Education of China Education Association for International Exchanges, Associate Director of the Rehabilitation Society of Autism in China, and a Standing Member for International Association of Special Education in the U.S. His research areas include inclusive education, education for children with visual impairment and developmental disability, and curriculum and instruction of special schools. Prof Deng has been the principal investigator of national and international Key Projects, and had rich publications in international and domestic academic journals. He was recognized as one of the most cited Chinese researchers by Scopus and Elsevier, and edited over 40 books related to special education. Prof Deng was invited to give keynote speeches at many international conferences and served as a member of editorial boards or a reviewer for international journals.

Title of Keynote

Progress and Challenges: Development of Early Childhood and Preschool Inclusive Education in China

Abstract of Keynote

As an indispensable part in building a high-quality China-Style modern education system, preschool inclusive education plays an important role in promoting educational equity responding diverse needs of young children. High quality preschool inclusive education has experienced a very difficult historical process from a care to education, and disability to special educational needs models. Also, Chinese early childhood inclusive education expands its connotation from serving children with disabilities to addressing the needs of all children with characteristics. This expansion highlights the value orientation of“high quality”，pursues the goal of“universalization and public-benefit”，shifts from“intervention orientation”to“ecological support”, and thus implements the modernization requirements of social equity and justice. Following the systematic and holistic view of development, further efforts should be made to strengthen preschool education and inclusive development of special education, and adhere to the path of preschool inclusive education with Chinese characteristics.