Sam: Pretty soon we won’t have to open the door for the dogs again.

Peggy: What do you mean?

Sam: It will get cool enough to leave the door to the breezeway open

Peggy (forgetting there is weather other than “Texas scorch”): Oh, yeah.

Sam: I think I’ve solved that problem I was having with writing my app. I’d like to show you sometime.
Peggy: Have you finished writing it?
Sam: Oh, it’s not time to celebrate yet. I could hit a brick wall or something.

Peggy (while washing dishes): Gee, looks like someone dipped an Oreo in this glass.
Paige (grinning): Oh, yeah.
Peggy: I guess that must taste pretty good.
Paige: You’ve never dipped an Oreo in milk? What went wrong in your childhood?

I wanted to put an expletive in the title, but since this is all about respectful language, I didn’t.

The Texas Legislature should soon be removing retarded and other disrespectful language from the statutes.

People first language for all of us, including parents.

I will be providing some parent training at Region 10 in Richardson on May 7. I’ll explain what Texas Parent to Parent does for families, and also the decision-making training I provided in New Braunfels and Corpus Christi last year. More deets to come.

The Learning Together Workshop Series Presents…

Employment for ALL! Customized Employment & the Discovery Process

By Michael Callahan, International Consultant on Employment & Transition

Saturday – April 2, 2011

Session #1 │ 9 – NOON

Session #2 │ 1 – 4

Education Service Center Region XI

3001 North Freeway

Ft. Worth, Texas 76106

SESSION #1: CUSTOMIZED EMPLOYMENT – AN OVERVIEW (9:00 – Noon)

According to the US Department of Labor, Customized Employment is defined as: Individualizing the employment relationship between employees and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. It is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, needs, and interests of the person with a disability, and is also designed to meet the specific needs of the employer.

Participants will leave inspired and empowered with information and strategies that make employment a viable option for persons once thought to be unemployable.

SESSION #2: THE DISCOVERY PROCESS – A GUIDE FOR CUSTOMIZING AN EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP (1 – 4 PM)

The Discovery Process is a strategy used as a substitute to comparison-based testing procedures in that it utilizes already-existing information rather than information developed through formal assessment methods. It takes into account the applicant’s entire life experiences rather than single instances of performance.

Mr. Callahan will review steps need to complete the discovery process. An interactive process that allows the provider to get to know the applicant and to assist in identifying personalized preferences and conditions for employment as well as individual contributions to be offered to employers.

Who Should Attend?

∙ Persons who have a disability

∙ Family members

∙ Education professionals

∙ Transition Counselors

∙ DARS Counselors

∙ Supported Employment Providers

∙ Employers and others interested in making employment a viable option for individuals once thought to be unemployable.

SPACE IS LIMITED, RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

Call (817) 834-7700 or Email arcnetc@att.net

Please provide your name, phone number and session title when reserving your spot.

Mandy Cleveland, Jessica DeLeon, Diana Hatch, Kim Wendt, and Abby Nelson.

I was so excited as Sam picked you, and then crushed when I realized I couldn’t give a book to everyone, but thanks to all for playing!

Since we know all of you that won, we’re going to work hard to deliver the books in person in the next week …. though Jessica, we may be mailing your copy to you. Send me a good address through Facebook, would you, please?

Giving away five copies of the book today via Facebook. Look for the See Sam Run page on Facebook for details.

But there is no vocabulary
For love within a family, love that’s lived in
But not looked at, love within the light of which
All else is seen, the love within which
All other love finds speech.
This love is silent.

— T.S. Eliot

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County presents…

ASPIRE – Parent Information Meeting
Applied Behavioral Analysis – ABA
Presenter: Billy Edwards, M.S., BCBA
Saturday, January 15, 2011
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County
1806 Haltom Road
Haltom City, Texas 76117

RISE – Families Helping Families Meeting
The Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) Process
Presenter: Jill Stover, PATH Project
Saturday, January 22, 2011
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County
1806 Haltom Road
Haltom City, Texas 76117

Learning Together Workshop Series
Transition Transcends All, Creating Meaningful Lives for Individuals who have a Disability
Presenter: Debbie Wilkes, Statewide Consultant
Saturday, January 29, 2011
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
TCU – Dee Kelly Alumni and Visitors Center
2820 Stadium Dr.
Ft. Worth, Texas 76109

For more information, please visit www.arcnetc.org