Inclusion Press

What Inclusion Press does

Inclusion Press is an independent Canadian nonprofit publisher founded in 1989 in Toronto, Canada, specializing in books, ebooks, DVDs, digital videos, and live virtual workshops on person-centered planning, disability inclusion, and community development. Its core catalog is built around three proprietary methodology brands — PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope), MAPS (McGill Action Planning System), and Circles of Support — co-developed by founders Jack Pearpoint, Marsha Forest, John O'Brien, Connie Lyle O'Brien, and Judith Snow. The press publishes 75+ books, 173+ ebooks, 10 digital videos, 11 DVDs, 5 posters, and 14 bundles, including 29 titles in non-English languages and 10 Uganda-focused titles, and maintains a free downloadable archive of articles and the John O'Brien & Connie Lyle O'Brien Library.

The business operates a hybrid revenue model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce at inclusion.com/shop (books priced $0–$35, free eBooks, digital downloads) supplemented by professional-services revenue from the flagship PATH & MAPS virtual workshop ($1,200/person, with group and sliding-scale rates), plus charitable contributions channeled through the affiliated Marsha Forest Centre (Canadian charitable registration 132 361 205 RR0001). Distribution is global via own-storefront e-commerce with international shipping, an approved reseller program, and Zoom-delivered workshops; marketing runs through Mailchimp newsletters, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube (LifeWorks podcast), and the Ideas That Matter virtual event series. The organization is co-directed by Jack Pearpoint and Lynda Kahn, employs 11–50 people, has never raised external capital, and operates in close association with the separately registered Marsha Forest Centre charity.

Name

Inclusion Press

Legal name

Inclusion Press

Website

https://inclusion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Inclusion Press is an independent Canadian nonprofit publisher founded in 1989 in Toronto that produces books, eBooks, videos, and virtual workshops on person-centered planning, PATH/MAPS methodologies, and disability inclusion, serving educators, human service organizations, and families globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Inclusion and Person-Centered Planning Publishing

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs & Inclusive Learning Trade (Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD Supports) (EDAGAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Inclusion publishing
• Person-centered planning
• Disability education resources
• PATH MAPS workshops
• Community inclusion training

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Book and Resource Sales: Sale of physical books, ebooks, DVDs, digital video downloads, posters, and bundles through the online store. Product categories include 75+ books, 173+ ebooks, 11 DVDs, and 5 posters.
2. Workshop and Event Registration: Virtual workshops including the PATH & MAPS course offered multiple times per year. Standard registration $1,200/person, group rates available.
3. Donations and Contributions: Accepts charitable contributions to support the Marsha Forest Centre and expand access to inclusion resources. Canadian Charitable Registration Number 132 361 205 RR0001.
4. Licensing and Resale: Independent reseller agreements available for approved resellers who agree to terms and conditions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Inclusion Press publishes and sells books, eBooks, DVDs, digital video downloads, posters, and bundled educational resources focused on inclusion, person-centered planning (PATH and MAPS), and community development for people with disabilities. The organization also delivers paid virtual workshops (notably the Person-Centered Ways to Build Community with PATH & MAPS course) and maintains an extensive archive of free downloadable articles, free monthly eBooks, and the IDEAS THAT MATTER virtual event series.

Product overview

Inclusion Press is an independent Canadian publishing company founded in 1989 that produces books, eBooks, DVDs, digital videos, workshops, and educational resources focused on inclusion and person-centered practices. The product portfolio centers on three main areas: the PATH & MAPS Handbook and Workbook (person-centered planning methodologies), the Make a Difference guidebook series (direct support practices), and workshops on Person-Centered Ways to Build Community. The company offers 75 books, 173 eBooks, 10 digital videos, 11 DVDs, and 14 bundled packages, along with free downloadable articles from the John O'Brien Library. Associated with the Marsha Forest Centre, the company also hosts the IDEAS THAT MATTER virtual event series and provides free monthly eBook downloads. Products are available in multiple languages and include regional content such as Uganda Books.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Books Catalog Physical book publications covering inclusion, person-centered planning, community building, and disability support for educators, families, and human service professionals; 75+ titles including PATH & MAPS Handbook ($35), A Little Book About Person-Centered Planning 2nd Edition ($20), Make A Difference ($25), and PATHFINDERS ($30).
• eBooks Catalog Digital versions of published books available for electronic download, including free titles like Remembering the Soul of our Work and paid titles like Members of Each Other ($25); 173+ eBook titles targeting individual learners, educators, and families.
• DVDs Catalog Physical DVD-format video products containing instructional and documentary content on facilitation for inclusion, PATH & MAPS, and person-centered practices, including Facilitation for Inclusion with PATH & MAPS DVD ($50).
• Digital Video Downloads Digital video content available for download, including instructional materials and documentary content related to inclusion and person-centered practices, with 10 titles available.
• Person-Centered Ways to Build Community with PATH & MAPS Workshop A six-session virtual workshop course via Zoom teaching facilitation and person-centered planning using PATH and MAPS methodologies, including an orientation and five full workshop days, with course materials (three books, workshop journal, learning journey booklet, and foldout posters). Designed for human service professionals, facilitators, and organizational transformation leaders.
• Product Bundles Pre-packaged collections of related books, eBooks, DVDs, and learning materials offered at discounted rates, with 14 bundle options in the catalog.
• Posters and Reference Foldouts Visual reference and educational poster materials, plus foldout reference tools (Person-Centered Direct-Support Foldout at $5 and Value Experiences and Accomplishments Foldout) used as standalone aids for direct support workers and practitioners.
• Uganda Books Line Books specifically focused on inclusion in Uganda contexts, with 10 titles available, produced in partnership with Uganda-based contributors.
• Other Languages Editions Inclusion Press publications translated and available in languages other than English, covering 29 titles in the catalog.
• Marsha Forest Centre Charitable Contribution A charitable contribution option that supports the Marsha Forest Centre, a registered Canadian charity fostering inclusion through leadership development, focused programs, materials, and research; Canadian donors receive charitable tax receipts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free access to majority of John O'Brien collection of essays and articles
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marsha Forest CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989Marsha Forest Centre is a registered Canadian Charity (formerly Centre for Integrated Education and Community, Charitable Registration Number: 896480944RR0001) founded in 1989 to foster the development of inclusion. It was renamed in 2001 following Marsha Forest's death. The Centre's program focus is the development of future leadership for inclusion through focused programs, materials, and research. Co-sponsors Ideas That Matter Hub with Inclusion Press.
• Jack PearpointcoreOthersCo-Director of Inclusion Press along with Lynda Kahn. Married to Marsha Forest. Key figure in developing Circles of Friends, MAPS process, and PATH methodology.
• Lynda KahncoreOthersCo-Director of Inclusion Press along with Jack Pearpoint. Course guide for PATH & MAPS workshops.
• John O'BriencoreOthersJohn O'Brien and his wife Connie Lyle O'Brien have been at the forefront of developing person-centered planning approaches. Inclusion Press has been privileged to publish their books including 'A Little Book About Person Centered Planning', 'Make A Difference', and extensive article archives. John O'Brien passed away June 27, 2025.
• Connie Lyle O'BriencoreOthersPartner and co-author with John O'Brien in developing person-centered approaches. Lifelong learner and social innovator creating better community lives with people with disabilities.
• Marsha Forest (Deceased 2000)coreOthersRelentless lifelong advocate for Inclusion, originally from NYC, trained as teacher of the deaf. Met Judith Snow and Jack Pearpoint at York University resulting in Circle of Friends, MAPS process, and PATH development. Married Jack Pearpoint. Passed away June 2, 2000. After her death, the Centre was renamed Marsha Forest Centre in her honor.
• Judith SnowcoreOthersRemarkable leader, philosopher, teacher, artist, and creator. Pioneered the Joshua Committee, Circle of Friends, and first person to battle for Independent funding for a person living with complex disabilities. Co-developed key inclusion frameworks.
• John McKnightminorOthersCo-founded the ABCD Institute (Asset Based Community Development) and served as founding faculty member for Toronto Summer Institute for over 30 years.
• UNESCOminorOthersSalamanca Statement adopted by World Conference on Special Needs Education in 1994 referenced and archived by Marsha Forest Centre as part of policy resources.
• OECDminorOthersOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development Policy on Inclusion report archived and referenced by Marsha Forest Centre.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• The Arc: U.S. national nonprofit advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and supporting families. Adjacent peer because it operates in the same disability community that buys Inclusion Press content, though its focus is advocacy and services rather than publishing.
• Council for Exceptional Children: Professional association for special educators that publishes journals, standards, and professional development. Adjacent peer serving the same special education practitioner audience that buys Inclusion Press's training materials.
• TASH: Disability advocacy association advancing inclusive education and human rights for people with significant disabilities. Comparable audience overlap with Inclusion Press's educator/practitioner customers; primarily advocacy rather than publishing.

Direct peers

• Attainment Company: Educational publisher of curricula, transition, and life-skills materials for students with disabilities. Directly comparable as a small specialized publisher selling resources to special educators and direct-support professionals.
• Brookes Publishing: Publisher specializing in special education, early childhood, and disability resources including books and professional development materials. Comparable in producing authoritative content for educators and direct-support practitioners in inclusion.
• Woodbine House: Independent publisher known for the "Special-Needs Collection" of books for parents and professionals on developmental disabilities. Closely comparable as a small, mission-driven press focused on disability and inclusion topics.
• Jessica Kingsley Publishers: UK-based independent publisher specializing in books on autism, social work, special education, and person-centered practice. Directly comparable as a niche trade publisher serving the same disability/inclusion professional audience with overlapping subject matter.

Broad incumbents

• Corwin (SAGE): Major education publisher with a special education and inclusive practice list serving teachers and administrators. Comparable in covering inclusion and special education, but as part of a much broader K–12 portfolio rather than a focused niche.

Emerging players

• Beth Mount (independent author/practitioner): Independent practitioner and co-author with Inclusion Press of the Make a Difference guidebook and person-centered planning work. Comparable as a content creator and trainer in the same person-centered planning niche, with overlapping IP and customer base.
• National Inclusion Project: Nonprofit advancing inclusive practices for people with disabilities through training and program resources. Comparable as a sector peer focused on training and inclusion capacity-building, overlapping with Inclusion Press's workshop and resource mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Inclusionpress/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/inclusionpress
• Instagraminstagram.com/INCLUSIONPRESSINC
• Xx.com/inclusionpress
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inclusion-press

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Inclusion Press