Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

We believe that families are the constants in their children's lives and thus the best determinants of their strengths and needs. With information, experience, and confidence, families are their children's best advocates.

At the Center for Creative Play, families will be supported to shape the future of this organization. Families can and should take leadership roles in all aspects of the library, including governance, staffing, planning and evaluation. Helping professionals involved with the Center are valued allies and provide support, technical assistance and consultation.

We believe that supporting families in leadership roles means that our organization must "bend over backward" to insure their central role. Bending over backward means being flexible, creative, culturally sensitive, and providing accommodations for the active involvement of families.

Our organization is committed to promoting positive images of families and children, particularly those with special needs. We need to pay special attention to this area to insure children with special needs are not portrayed in stereotypic or pity-oriented ways. This commitment will be explicit in all policies, materials, outreach, and fund-raising activities.

We will build and strengthen the capacities of families by providing diverse opportunities for mutual assistance and support; education, and informal networking. The Center for Creative Play will be both family driven and family friendly. We are committed to insuring that the Center, its policies and practices, are welcoming and inviting to families and to children of all abilities and backgrounds.

Our organization will play an active role in building the capacity of neighborhoods and communities to welcome and include children with diverse abilities, and their families. Active outreach and collaboration are central to this goal.