The Principles and Practices of Universal Enhancement - Softcover

Thomas E. Pomeranz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 189269641X ISBN 13: 9781892696410

Publisher: High Tide Press, 2009

Synopsis

In this new, updated edition, industry leader Dr. Tom Pomeranz offers a wealth of strategies for supporting a person with disabilities to live a full and meaningful life. This outstanding lineup includes stories, poems, historical background and humorous illustrations. Tom makes compassionate and unequivocal arguments for the rights and freedoms of people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities, or serious behavioral health issues. And, he offers the tools to back them up. Service providers and educators alike can use Tom's observations, toolkits, illustrations and checklists for staff training, as well as courses in social work, psychology, behavioral health, special education, disability studies, and more. Learn to see with the trained eye of a veteran who can spot the wrong way, the half-way, and the best way to serve and support a person who has a disability.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Thomas E. Pomeranz, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized authority, clinician and consultant in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. A lively speaker, Tom has conducted thousands of seminars and programs throughout the United States and Canada. He created Universal Enhancement, which teaches strategies for promoting community participation and supporting people to lead a meaningful life. Dr. Pomeranz is an adjunct faculty member of Saint Louis University's School of Public Health. He also serves as president and CEO of Universal LifeStiles of Indianapolis, IN. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in special education, and a doctorate in mental health administration from Indiana University. He also completed post-graduate work in experimental psychology at the University of Notre Dame.

Review

Tom Pomeranz's wonderfully written volume could aptly be titled, Confessions of a Former Behaviorist. With honesty, wit and reflection, he has traced his own journey as a practitioner and as an advocate. In parallel, he traces the various service models (developmental, habilitation) that have led to a system where people with disabilities are fixed, have problems and have limitations. The author challenges the reader to do with rather than do for, to focus on participation rather than readiness, and to believe in possibilities rather than limitations. --Derrick Dufresne, Community Resource Associates

My family and I are segment hikers on the Appalachian Trail. I attended a training session led by Dr. Tom Pomeranz focusing on Universal Enhancement. Surprisingly, he used a term I had only seen associated with the Trail, the use of stiles to cross over barriers and move forward...precisely what occurs during a hike. Dr. Pomeranz challenges us to offer support stiles to people with developmental disabilities. A stile is really a covenant of trust, a belief that it will afford safe passage. Universal Enhancement provides ideas and is a compass that guides, even on those days when landmarks are few. --Margaret J. (Peggy) Gould, The VISIONS Center

So relative to life in general, thought-provoking, so helpful in my own life situation makes me want to make everyone's life better by improving my own behavior. Tom's passion is contagious and encouraging. --Sharon Kromarek, Pride, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: High Tide Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 189269641X
• ISBN 13: 9781892696410
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 266
• Editor: Virginia Vath