Nov/090
Featured Product – Dress and Groom for the Workplace
Dress and Groom for the Workplace
By Perry Como
Dress and Groom for the Workplace DVD
When I was in the service dressing and grooming was important. Not so much to me, but it certainly was to the Army. It was in the mid 60’s when I boarded the bus for basic training; long hair, beards and tattered jeans were in vogue. However, the Army quickly made its own fashion statement. After shaving my head, the fun really began! Get caught with a little beard stubble…you get to shave it off with a razor only, no water, no lather. Miss a button on your fatigues … 20 push-ups, boots not polished … your free time will be spent in the kitchen. After a few hundred push-ups, hours in the kitchen and several dry shaves there were no more Army “fashion faux pas” for this soldier!
As only the Army could, it taught me a life long lesson. I realized not only the importance of good grooming and dressing but also the importance of conforming to the dress standards of the workplace.
Dress and Groom for the Workplace does the same thing, albeit in a considerably kinder and gentler manner! Presenting the fundamental principles of dressing for success for the job interview and in the workplace, both male and female viewers will learn do’s and don’ts for grooming and attire. The video shows viewers examples of what works and what doesn’t in both white and blue collar environments. Tips on shopping for appropriate clothes, shopping on a budget and proper accessories are all covered. How to take care of clothing and what to watch out for that could be hazardous on the job is also included.
Of course, everyone always has the option of being a non-conformist. Showing up at an interview or the job site with a Mohawk cut, needing a shower, dirty clothing, etc. is entirely up to each of us. A supervisor or boss may not communicate the message quite as clearly as my drill sergeant and you will avoid push-ups and KP duty, but, the chances are good that getting the job you want or keeping the job you already have are very slim.
Dress and Groom for the Workplace is produced by Jist and available from Program Development Associates. http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Dress_and_Groom_for_the_Workplace_DVD-pid528.html
Some tips form the Department of Employment and Economic Development of Minnesota: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/dress.htm
Oct/090
Featured Product – A Reason to Live
A Reason to Live
By Perry Como
A Reason to Hope
A Reason to Hold On
A Reason to Live DVD
As a small boy in the ‘50’s my father called me the “Shadow”. Whenever possible, you would find me by his side. This particular afternoon we were off to see a friend of his. When we arrived, his friend’s daughter was on their front steps doing homework and told us to “go on in, Dad’s in the kitchen”. As we made our way to the kitchen the smell of gas surrounded us. At the kitchen door we found my father’s friend sitting on a chair in front of the stove. He had draped a blanket over his head and the open oven door and turned on the gas. Dad immediately turned it off and rushed his friend outside to the front steps, much to his daughter’s horror. At a young age the ‘Shadow’ had a very close look at suicide.
After a degree in Psychology and another in Counseling, I still don’t have answers to what I witnessed almost 55 years ago. Throughout my life and career I have not been sequestered from the subject, but that incident from so long ago, left a bigger imprint of any other. When asked to write a blog about a new DVD on the subject, my experience as a young boy came to mind. My thought was maybe there would be something to give me a little more to understand what was going on in that kitchen and why suicide has become the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24.
A Reason to Live is from producers who pour their heart and soul into their work. Husband and wife team, Cynthia Salzman Mondell and Allan Mondell, who are Media Projects, Inc., have done no less with this program. Cynthia and Allen have been making award winning docu-dramas and documentary films and videos for over 25 years. Their work explores a wide range of subjects but always with the goal of personalizing often complex social problems. This 52 minute film is no exception.
Probing deeply into the questions of suicide, A Reason to Live focuses on the more than 4,000 teenagers and young adults who succeed in taking their own lives every year. Using a documentary style format they capture 12 penetrating personal stories of despair and hope. As you watch the program you begin to understand depression and suicide from the individual’s perspective. Cynthia and Allan’s goal is to educate the viewer with realistic and effective steps to treat depression and prevent suicide. But before that they explore the psychological, cultural, biological and social factors contributing to depression and suicide. With this understanding, the Mondell’s make us more effective in recognizing the danger signs, getting help and hopefully, saving lives.
Cynthia and Allen’s hope is A Reason to Live will give us a deeper understanding of depression and suicidal behavior. After watching the film, I gained an insight and awareness of suicide the “Shadow” didn’t have and now know prevention is possible with early recognition and treatment.
Here are some contacts:
National Suicide Prevention Life Line 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Purchase A Reason to Live at:
Program Development Associates
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?A_Reason_to_Live_DVD-pid472.html
Oct/090
Featured Product – Breakthrough
Breakthrough
By Perry Como
A Multimedia Kit for Professional Development
Breakthrough
If you’re an educational administrator or trainer you probably already know about the new multi-media program called Breakthrough. It hit the school systems this spring and just “calls” to staff developers with a bevy of “bells and whistles” a trainer in any field would love to own.
This incredible program has a 42-minute DVD with a stop-and-search navigation menu which will let you control the content. Along with a companion book, there is also a facilitator’s guide connecting core content to the DVD with segment prompts, workshop outlines, extended activities, key points, and discussion questions. But it doesn’t stop there! So you can easily reproduce any of these forms the publishers, Corwin Press, have included a CD-ROM with the facilitator’s guide, outlines, handouts, agendas, an evaluation form, and a “ton” of other digitized materials. These folks even thought about the packaging! For easy shelving and transporting it has handsome full color sleeve that wraps around a molded vinyl case, with a place for everything (this would save me hours of looking for a missing piece)
I’m sure with an all-in-one package like this, there are those of you who are ready to order without going any further, but hold on…I’ve saved the best for last. This packet is rich with content! Utilizing the Triple P Breakthrough Model: Personalization, Precision and Professional Learning; the program gives educators all the keys needed for an instructional approach that will raise and sustain on-going school-wide achievement. Lead author, Michael Fullan is Professor Emeritus at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, a best selling author in leadership and change and well known as an international authority on educational reform.
Here is what you can expect when you apply the Triple P Breakthrough Model:
• Smart application of data-driven instruction to reach all learners
• Contextual learning opportunities related to teachers’ specific situations
• Commitment to excellence in classroom instruction based on a clear moral purpose
• Breakthrough leadership that generates future leaders and communicates across school, district, and state levels
If you are a staff developer and need materials for administrators to create the instructional systems that will improve performance of both students and teachers you should take a good look at this comprehensive package. It will make your job easier AND it may fit quite well into your American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 grant application. There is more information and a list of everything included and how to order this valuable training program at http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Breakthrough_DVD_SET-pid454.html .
Sep/090
Featured Product – Tackle Wellness
Tackle Wellness
By Perry Como
Tackle Wellness DVD
Do you know someone who wants to, or needs to, gain stamina, stay well and build strength; Would you, yourself like to? If so, you should think about a change of menu. No, I’m not talking about changing your diet; I’m talking about a DVD menu. That’s what you’ll get when you change your menu from the boring routine of ordinary exercise videos and select Tackle Wellness a core strength building program. The entree on Tackle Wellness menu features former pro-football player Jon Kolb, and is designed specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities.
With a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science, as well as being widely regarded as the strongest man in the NFL and proud owner of 4 Super Bowl rings, Jon has all the credentials needed to host this DVD. Jon’s 13-year career as an offensive tackle becomes quite obvious when you hit the “Replay Menu”. And all 177 games Jon played with the Pittsburg Steelers are reflected when you select “Game Plans”, “Play by Play” and “Post Game Activities” from the menu. With poor physical fitness being a problem among the general population and an even larger problem among people with intellectual disabilities, this DVD is no game.
In the “Pre Game” segment you will learn about goals, benefits and health risk factors to consider before implementing this wellness program and what the differences are between wellness and fitness programs.
During the “Game Plan” basic information provides components of a wellness program, anatomical terms, and equipment needed before implementing your program.
The “Play by Play” segment breaks the Core Strength Building Program down to entry level and level 1 activities aimed at increasing stability, strength, and balance. In this segment you will learn about stability balls, balance activities, and other exercise equipment.
And the best part: as you recruit players to “tackle wellness” you can use the “Play Book”, a Coach’s guide with pointers, steps, and equipment for each activity level. This makes it easy for professionals instructing this wellness program in organizations and in the community.
So if you or your team wants to increase strength, balance, and stamina in order to experience an improved quality of life, team up with Jon to “Tackle Wellness” using this unique and fun video as your guide. You can purchase this as well as many other disability-related resources at http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Tackle_Wellness_DVD-pid531.html
Sep/090
Featured Product – Align Your Dreams with Your Power
Align Your Dreams with Your Power
By Perry Como
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Align_Your_Dreams_with_Your_Power_DVD-pid132.html
Align Your Dreams with Your Power DVD
If you don’t think you can do something, why try! I know I should have used the cliché “you never know until you try”, but hey, maybe you can’t! You may never know until you think about it and weigh the facts carefully before making any attempt to do anything you’re not sure of. Let’s face reality folks. After performing a good task analysis, we just know some things are impossible to accomplish; I will never grasp advanced calculus nor will pigs ever fly.
Nancy Shugart is a motivational speaker. She also happens to have a disability, and goes well beyond just wondering. On her ProveThemWrong.com website she says the road you travel may have roadblocks and bumps but “recognize that quitting can never be an option; giving you the courage to complete what you have begun.” I don’t know if I would go that far. If the bumps become mountains and the roadblocks become road-side bombs, my inclination would be to bail out, turn around and go back. Sometimes “forward march” just doesn’t feel, to me, like the smart thing to do. This is why Nancy Shugart is a motivational speaker and I am not.
Her DVD is full of inspiration. It’s called, Align Your Dreams with Your Power: How to Succeed with a Disability. Nancy’s disability is blindness and by using her life experiences she motivates her audiences. She has been blind since the age of eight, but was determined to live her dream of becoming a teacher. After being told she would never teach in public schools because of her blindness, rather than giving up, she became more determined. She had a successful 21-year teaching career and is now involved in developing programs on self-determination for children with disabilities and presenting motivational and educational programs for youth and adult audiences.
It’s fun to watch Nancy speak. She is an accomplished magician and uses magic to illustrate her points –like it’s not all about the diagnosis, but about the attitude. She is not the only inspiration on DVD. There are others with disabilities who have accomplished careers and goals that many would consider unobtainable. Her DVD has all the encouragement and insight you would expect from a producer with a disability. It is closed captioned for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; audio described for people who are blind or visually impaired (with descriptions of the magic Nancy uses to reinforce her points), as well as an audio navigation menu that makes it possible for people who are blind or visually impaired to navigate the menu.
So, if motivation and inspiration is what you want, stop reading my blog and get Align Your Dreams with Your Power. It is for sale on the DisabilityTraining.com website.