Editors' Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of Inclusion

Abstract

We would like to join Sharon Gomez and the leadership at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) in welcoming you to this inaugural issue of a new ejournal, Inclusion. The AAIDD has a long history of leadership in the dissemination of knowledge related to its mission of promoting progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights through its widely respected journals: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. It is our pleasure and privilege to introduce Inclusion to the AAIDD family of journals. Inclusion will capitalize on emerging technologies, specifically the ejournal format, to foster the timely, relevant dissemination of innovation in research, policy, and practice related to the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all aspects of society. It is important to note, however, that we are committed to the integrity of the peer-review process as the fulcrum of the publication process in Inclusion. While peer review is often, or most often, equated with print journals, the challenge and opportunity with a new online journal is to maintain the integrity and value of a peer-review process and to take advantage of the capacity of an online platform to deliver content in a timely manner. While peer-reviewed articles in print journals can take a year or more to reach their audience after acceptance, the online platform should allow for a more rapid (and relevant) turnaround time. That said, the peer-review process takes time, and we are committed to establishing Inclusion as a rigorously reviewed publication. One of the hallmarks of the peerreview process in academia is its value for a range of opinions. Inclusion will respect that hallmark and will support diverse opinions as they lead to the mission of the journal: to promote full inclusion. There is plenty of room for diversity of opinion with regard to how to achieve the mission of full inclusion. Inclusion will provide a multidisciplinary forum for the discussion of interventions and strategies that support the full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the life span in society. Emphasis will be placed on emerging research directions and practices that have direct implications for building systems of supports that enhance the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and promote enhanced quality of life outcomes. In this, our inaugural issue, we have invited leaders in diverse areas to provide a snapshot of the state of inclusion across many of the life domains that will be the focus of articles in Inclusion. AAIDD president-elect Dr. Amy Hewitt and her colleagues at the Institute for Community Integration at the University of Minnesota are well recognized for their expertise in community inclusion, and we have asked them to provide a summary of the state of inclusion in community living. Professor David Mank and his colleagues at the Institute on Disability and Community at the Indiana University are, similarly, recognized for their expertise in transition and employment issues, and they provide a review of the literature pertaining to inclusion in employment. Dr. Diane Ryndak from the University of Florida and Dr. Lewis Jackson from the University of Northern Colorado have both written extensively about school inclusion for students with extensive support needs, and they and their colleagues provide a timely synthesis of knowledge in that domain. Dr. Erik Carter from Vanderbilt University addresses a topic that is often overlooked in the professional literature but is important in the lives of many citizens, that of inclusion in religious life. Drs. Debra Hart and Meg Grigal