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| ...Overcoming Life's Obstacles |
| BOOK REVIEWS The Principles and Practices of Universal Enhancement (Four Books in One) |
“Some fortunate workers, in locations across North America who try to support people with
developmental disabilities, will be puzzled by these volumes. This series apparently grew from
materials used by the author in his work as a trainer and consultant with direct support workers in
residential settings. Those workers who are puzzled are involved with services that have clearly
separated themselves from the institutional past. Most of us in the developmental disabilities field
will, by contrast, be unpuzzled by the circumstances about which Pomeranz writes. The portrait
he paints of contemporary services fits like the proverbial old glove. Readers can profit from the
guidance that his new volumes offer.
The entire compilation of these volumes is offered to a field that has not shed its past. The
average community service for people with developmental disabilities daily reflects what
Pomeranz helpfully terms “characteristics of the institutional state of mind” (e.g. lack of privacy,
restriction of freedom of movement, group treatment, and portrayal of adults as though they were
children). The volumes that make up this compilation bring these characteristics to life through
stories and offer workers guidance about how to replace unfortunate characteristics with more
dignifying, more enhancing ways to support people. “
Jack R. Pealer Jr., Editorial Board, American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR);
Book Review, Mental Retardation, Volume 40 No. 6: 481-486, December 2002
“Tom’s writing paints a picture, vivid images that tug at your consciousness. Universal
Enhancement makes you reexamine how you view and how you behave toward people who live
with disabilities. I have heard Tom speak on Universal Enhancement since 1993. I didn’t think
written text could capture his dynamic presentation style – but it does – well done!”
Mary Mercer, Community Staff Training Director, Minot State University, North Dakota
Center for Persons with Disabilities, February 2002
“Major Strengths of The Principles and Practices of Universal Enhancement: 1. The books use
person first language 2. The books have empowering concepts and strategies that people with
disabilities can utilize in every day life 3. The books have learner objectives that promote self-
determination. The books have information in it that you don’t find in a lot of training documents.
The information is presented in a user-friendly approach, I found them very interesting. I have a
child with disabilities and I believe some of these concepts will be very useful in his life.”
Elizabeth Janks, MSW ACSW, Associate Director of Community Support, Developmental
Disabilities Institute, Detroit, MI, February 2002
developmental disabilities, will be puzzled by these volumes. This series apparently grew from
materials used by the author in his work as a trainer and consultant with direct support workers in
residential settings. Those workers who are puzzled are involved with services that have clearly
separated themselves from the institutional past. Most of us in the developmental disabilities field
will, by contrast, be unpuzzled by the circumstances about which Pomeranz writes. The portrait
he paints of contemporary services fits like the proverbial old glove. Readers can profit from the
guidance that his new volumes offer.
The entire compilation of these volumes is offered to a field that has not shed its past. The
average community service for people with developmental disabilities daily reflects what
Pomeranz helpfully terms “characteristics of the institutional state of mind” (e.g. lack of privacy,
restriction of freedom of movement, group treatment, and portrayal of adults as though they were
children). The volumes that make up this compilation bring these characteristics to life through
stories and offer workers guidance about how to replace unfortunate characteristics with more
dignifying, more enhancing ways to support people. “
Jack R. Pealer Jr., Editorial Board, American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR);
Book Review, Mental Retardation, Volume 40 No. 6: 481-486, December 2002
“Tom’s writing paints a picture, vivid images that tug at your consciousness. Universal
Enhancement makes you reexamine how you view and how you behave toward people who live
with disabilities. I have heard Tom speak on Universal Enhancement since 1993. I didn’t think
written text could capture his dynamic presentation style – but it does – well done!”
Mary Mercer, Community Staff Training Director, Minot State University, North Dakota
Center for Persons with Disabilities, February 2002
“Major Strengths of The Principles and Practices of Universal Enhancement: 1. The books use
person first language 2. The books have empowering concepts and strategies that people with
disabilities can utilize in every day life 3. The books have learner objectives that promote self-
determination. The books have information in it that you don’t find in a lot of training documents.
The information is presented in a user-friendly approach, I found them very interesting. I have a
child with disabilities and I believe some of these concepts will be very useful in his life.”
Elizabeth Janks, MSW ACSW, Associate Director of Community Support, Developmental
Disabilities Institute, Detroit, MI, February 2002
| ©Universal LifeStiles, L.L.C. 8126 Wellsbrook Drive Indianapolis, IN 46278 Phone: (317) 871-2092 | Fax: (317) 871-2096 tpomer@aol.com |