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New Compact Disk
Journal Articles
Poetry

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DVD: Through the Same Door: Inclusion Includes College
(ISBN: 0-9791903-0-4)

Available now on DVD. Select the correct button below. Order here for individuals: $30 per copy, plus shipping. Order here for institutions: $65 per copy, plus shipping.   To print a paper order form for this item (and others below), click here.

FLASH!! This new DVD won the 2006 TASH IMAGE AWARD This inspiring film documents the new movement of fully inclusive education by exploring one young man's desire for a life without boundaries. As a high school student, Micah wanted the college experience, and he got it. See how it's done, learn how it works, and witness how Micah's journey challenges us all to reexamine what we believe possible. Note: DVD is captioned for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. More info: DVD Cover & Back Watch a 2-minute clip from the DVD. Click here.

Compact Disk (CD)

From Puddles to PRIDE : A mother's poems about her son, his disability, and her
family's transformation.

Order CD here: $10 per copy (plus shipping). Be sure to note which version of the CD you want (the price is the same for either one). CD with Power Point (requires a PC with Power Point) Audio CD only (no visuals)

Janice has recorded three of her poems on this CD with stunning original piano music written by Stefan Kukurugya, and powerful visuals, photos, and graphics. This is a marvelous new addition to Janice's collection. The CD can be played at parent gatherings, professional trainings and workshops, to begin a meeting, or in the quiet of one's own home. The CD contains the three poems. Camille Catlett (Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute) describes the poems: The first poem, “Advice to Professionals Who Must Conference Cases,” delivers powerful statements on the importance of compassion in sharing news to families. It is a beautiful, moving plea to professionals to be compassionate with parents who come to tortuous meetings to hear updates about their children. The second poem, “On Having to Give Bad News: A Tribute to Professionals,” honors the caring individuals who work with children with special needs and who have the capacity to pull parents from the blazing heat that threatens to melt their hopes and dreams. The third poem, “From puddles to PRIDE,” is a proclamation, shouted out on the streets of Chicago, at the first every Disability Pride Parade on July 18, 2004. On that street, the author says, “there are no puddles of shame—only sunshine—and pride!” Experience this joyful event that will change the perspectives of those who participate and those who watch from the sidelines. "This amazing CD features children and adults of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. The stories of these spirited individuals will invite professionals to see and support children and families in new ways. As you watch/listen to these three poems, prepare to have your heart and mind opened to tender, passionate, and wise messages from the soul of a parent. "The CD is a powerful resource for preservice teachers and practitioners. It can support us in choreographing different ways of collaborating so families are empowered and professionals too."

And Mary Beth Doyle, PhD, St. Michael's College, VT, writes: "This CD is simply beautiful. I have always enjoyed your writing, but with the slide show too, it is over the top!” Note: To use this CD you must have a PC with Power Point and an Audio Card. Alternately, a CD with only audio is also available.

Books
Do You Hear What I Hear? Parents and Professionals Working Together for Children with
Special Needs, by Janice Fialka and Karen C. Mikus

This book is unique. Ann P. Turnbull, Co-Director, Beach Center for Families and Disabilities, University of Kansas, states, "Cutting through the rhetoric and jargon of the partnership literature, Janice Fialka and Karen Mikus offer us an entirely fresh, dynamic, and interactive way to gain new insights. They have "colored outside the lines" in creating a dialogue that enables us, the readers to gain insights about the partnership dynamics between parents and professionals. In their unique creation, we learn about the feelings, hopes, fears, uncertainties, and expectations from both parent and professional perspectives. Whether you are a parent, professional, or both, you are in for treat in not only getting more in touch with your own feelings but with the feelings of your significant partner. I strongly recommend it to you with every confidence that new insights are here for everyone."

Order Do You Hear What I Hear? $12 per copy (plus shipping).

Do You Hear What I Hear?  is designed to be used by parents of children with special needs, professionals who work with families, university faculty members, and other trainers. it is filled with thoughtful stories, suggestions for next steps in partnerships, and practical insights. Highly readable, it is a resource which can enhance self-reflection, personnel preparation, and parent-professional training.

It Matters: Lessons from my son, by Janice Fialka

Order It Matters $10 per copy (plus shipping).

It Matters: Lessons from my son is a collection of poems and prose written by Janice Fialka, a social worker and mother of two children, one of whom has developmental disabilities. Her writings honestly describe the range of feelings and experiences of being a parent of a child with special needs. She writes about inclusion, use of labels, the power of support groups, and talking to siblings about special needs. She also includes suggestions for professionals. It Matters: Lessons from my son is full of honest emotions and insights for both parents and professionals. What people are saying about It Matters: Lessons from my son: "I want you to know what a profound effect your writing had on me as a writer and parent. Thank you." - Susan Astor, Parent, New York "It Matters is a wonderful book. Students in my class on the Psychology of Exceptional Children love it because the poems and essays draw them into the world of a family of the special child in a way that no textbook does. Student evaluations rate it as the most enjoyable and significant reading in the course." - Larry Lilliston, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, Oakland University "This book will have a profound effect on graduate students, staff, and parents. Janice has shared with us deeply personal material and the gift of her writing talents. We have all learned and been changed by her." - Barry Schumer, MSW, ACSW, School of Social Work, Wayne State University

Whose Life is it Anyway? How One Teenager, Her Parents, and Her Teacher View the
Transition Process for a Young Person with Disabilities, co-authored by Janice Fialka,
Martha Mock, and Jenny Wagner Neugart

Order Whose Life Is It Anyway? $10 per copy (plus shipping).

This publication is a unique exploration of the emotions and relationships between three key transition partners: Becky, the youth; her mother, and her teacher. It includes talking points for group discussion about relationship building and best practice in adolescent transition. Outcomes include helping all partners raise expectations about what youth with special health care needs can achieve, how to meaningfully involve youth in the process and ultimately, how to better understand each participant's perspectives. Co-authored by national trainer Janice Fialka; Martha Mock, University of Rochester; and Jennifer Wagner Neugart of the Waisman Center. This book can also be electronically downloaded by going to: http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/hrtw/Publications.html . “The perspectives of the student, parent, and a teacher are a wonderful idea. Your book gives lots of insight into the transition process. I really like the length of the book and the discussion questions. I will use this book in my transition courses. What a creative work!” - Debra A. Neubert, PhD., Professor, Department of Special Education, University of Maryland “In your creative and insightful way, you have put together very powerful scenarios related to transition planning. I really like the way you blend the “procedural facts” with the emotions of each of the key stakeholders. You capture reality so well.”   - Ann Turnbull, Co-Director, Beach Center on Disability, University of Kansas

Journal Articles

The Dance of Partnership: Why Do My Feet Hurt?  Published in Young Exceptional Children (Winter, 2001) Volume 4, Number 2. This was Janice's keynote address given at the Division of Early Childhood's (DEC) Thirteenth Conference on Children with Special Needs, New Orleans, Nov. 20, 1997. 

Working with Families: Rethinking Denial. Reprinted with permission from Young Exceptional Children, Vol. 5, Number 2.

Pieces of the Bye: The Importance of Preparing to Say Good Bye to Children and their Families. This link opens the Jan-March issue. Janice's article begins on page 9 and carries over to page 10. Published in Michigan Association Infant Health's The Infant Crier (Jan-March 2006, No. 111). (PDF)

Least Dangerous Assumption: Changing the Way We Think. Published in Everyone Together, Volume 1, Issue 2, Summer 2005.

Keeping the Dance of Reciprocity Alive (Leading Change, CENMI)

Opening New Doors: What’s New in Transition (Michigan Transition Resources, CENMI)

The Power of Peer Support: Making Inclusion Work in High School 

Brief Amazing Moments of Inclusion: Self Determined Athlete (Newsline, CENMI) (PDF)

A Word to Educational Professionals About Parents, Transitions, Feelings, and Dreams Janice's article begins on page 1 and carries over to the bottom of page 2. (Newsline, CENMI) (PDF)

"Be Careful What You Wish For ...": Five Reasons to be Concerned About the Assignment of Individual Paraprofessionals" Published in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)'s Online Journal, Vol. 37 No. 5, May/June 2005. (PDF)

Poetry
Advice to Professionals Who Must "Conference Cases"
From Puddles to Pride
For more poems by Janice see It Matters: Lessons from my son

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