Advocate to Discuss Book on Parenting, Special Education

Huntington Woods resident Janice Fialka will hold a reading of her book Parents and Professionals, Partnering for Children with Disabilities: A Dance That Matters on Thursday at the Huntington Woods Public Library.

Fialka, a social worker, was inspired to write the book by her experience parenting a son with intellectual disabilities, as well as the professional experience of co-authors Arlene Feldman and Karen Mikus, according to a press release.

"Raising Micah, with her husband, Richard Feldman, propelled Janice on a rich journey leading her to become an internationally recognized speaker, advocate and author for her groundbreaking work in the area of parent professional partnerships, inclusion and post secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities," the release said.

Micah Fialka-Feldman graduated from Berkley High School in 2003 as the district's first student with a moderate cognitive disability to be fully included, starting in elementary school.

In 2009, after a two-year effort to live at Oakland University while taking a full course load through a three-year program for students with learning disabilities, Fialka-Feldman won a court ruling that he had a right to move into East Vandenberg Hall dormitory. A federal judge said OU violated a 1973 law by failing to make reasonable accommodations and denying housing based on "prejudice, stereotypes and/or unfounded fear of persons with disabilities."

Fialka-Feldman is featured in a 2006 documentary, Through the Same Door, about campaigns for fully inclusive education.

A Dance That Matters relies on real life stories to show how parents and professionals can work together to improve the learning experience of children.

"Our goal was to deepen the understanding of the complexity of this important partnership and to create a practical everyday guide for ways to strengthen the working alliance,” Fialka said.

If you go

• When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday
• Where: Huntington Woods Public Library
• Cost: Free
• What else: Call 248-543-9720 or go to www.danceofpartnership.com for more information. Books will be available at the event.

Berkley Patch freelancer Alan Stamm contributed to this report.