Through the Same Door: Inclusion Includes College: Think College Webinar

[Guest guest]

A Free THINK COLLEGE Webinar

“Through the Same Door: Inclusion Includes College”

Monday June 21, 2010 • 3:00–4:30pm Eastern

This webinar will provide an in-depth presentation of the five-year postsecondary education experience of Micah Fialka-Feldman, a 25 year old student with an intellectual disability, at Oakland University, through the OPTIONS Program. Micah, along with Dr. Shea Howell, one of Micah’s college professors, his mother Janice Fialka, and one of Micah’s friends and peer tutors will discuss this journey through postsecondary education from each of their unique perspectives.

The webinar will present and discuss a range of practical strategies and supports used to enhance Micah’s active participation in the classroom, course work, student activities, and dorm living. Critical components which contributed to a successful experience will be shared, such as: the immediate and inclusive participation of Micah on the campus in all domains of student life and learning, the intentional engagement of other students in planning with and supporting Micah, the creation of opportunities for Micah to participate in student activities, and others.

Registration

In order to register for this webinar please go to: http://tinyurl.com/thinkcollegewebinar1

There is no charge for this webinar, but due to limited capacity, pre-registration is required. Once you have registered you will receive an email with the link to participate in the webinar.

For questions about registration please contact Dragoumanos at maria.dragoumanos@...

For questions about the webinar itself please contact Cate Weir at cathryn.weir@...

Think College is a project of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The Think College initiatives are funded by grants from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, and the Office of Special Education Programs.

www.thinkcollege.net

Presenter Biographies

Janice Fialka, LMSW, AC SW

Janice is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and social worker with an expertise in adolescent health, parent-professional partnerships, inclusion, and postsecondary education for students with cognitive disabilities. Janice speaks and writes from her dual perspectives as a seasoned social worker and as a mother of two adult children, Micah and Emma. Micah is a strong advocate and has been fully included in general education and in his community. Janice and her husband, Rich Feldman co-produced the award winning DVD, Through the Same Door: Inclusion Includes College (winner of the 2006 TASH Image Award for the Positive Portrayals of People with Disabilities). Janice has co-authored three books, numerous articles, a CD of several of her poems, entitled From Puddles to PRIDE which includes her often-published poem, “Advice to Professionals Who Must Conference Cases.” Her website www.danceofpartnership.com is a highly regarded comprehensive resource for parents and professionals. Janice was selected “Social Worker of 2007” by the National Association of Social Workers – Michigan Chapter. In 2009, Janice and her family received the Family Voices “Lifetime Achievement Award” in Washington D.C.

Micah Fialka-Feldman

Micah is one of the new wave of adults with cognitive disabilities attending college. Since first grade, when he told his parents he wanted to go in the same door as all of his friends, he has been fully included in his school, in his community and on a college campus. In 2001 he was selected to participate in the Michigan Youth Leadership Forum and in 2002 in the National Youth Leadership Forum. He has been a proud and active National Board Member of KASA (Kids as Self Advocates) (www.kasa.org) for the past six years, and is a member of the teleconference committee with the National Youth Leadership Network (www.nyln.org). He also serves on the Project Advisory Committee for the Center for Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. Micah’s story is featured in several textbooks, including the publication, Widening the Circle: The Power of Inclusive Classrooms by Mara Sapon-Shevin, as well as in the award winning documentary, Through the Same Door: Inclusion Includes College. Micah’s favorite quote is by Dan Wilkens, “A community that excludes even one of its members is no community at all.” Micah is committed to building a community for himself and for others.

Shea Howell, PhD

Shea is a Full Professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism where she has taught for 30 years. She has written and lectured extensively on issues of social difference and peace. She explores issues of ideology, identity and social change. She also writes a weekly column for the Michigan Citizen and has received two national journalism awards. As a Detroit activist she works with youth, artists and community based development. She has worked extensively with school systems and communities on conflict resolution and diversity training through the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion.

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