LilliWorks Active Learning Foundation

2517 Blanding Ave. Alameda, CA 94501

Telephone: 510 814-9111 FAX: 510 814-3941 www.LilliWorks.org

A California 501(c) 3 Nonprofit Corporation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rand Wrobel (510) 522-1340

LILLIWORKS EQUIPMENT APPEARS ON EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION – APRIL 9, 2006

The Wrobel family, of Alameda, donated special equipment, on behalf of LilliWorks Active Learning Foundation for the April 9th Episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on ABC at 7:00pm. The Wrobel’s, founders of the LilliWorks Active Learning Foundation, presented several pieces of donated Active Learning equipment for the severely disabled child, Isabella. The Wrobel family traveled from San Francisco to Texas with their own severely multiply disabled daughter Miranda for the episode.  LilliWorks equipment shown on camera include The Little Room(R), The HOPSA Dress(TM) and Bead Chain Holder.

Active Learning is a program for severely multiply disabled learners, including those with severe physical and neurological disabilities, and those with vision and sensory issues. The program was developed by Dr. Lilli Nielsen of Denmark, a leading expert in the education of children with severe disabilities. The essential principle is to create interesting and responsive environments that give feedback and support to the learner so that they can take action on their own initiative to learn. The approach is effective, easy to practice at home with everyday items, and with specialized equipment developed by Dr. Nielsen such as the "Little Room" and the "HOPSA Dress" (suspension jacket system). This program is considered by many professionals to be a revolutionary new way to tap the potential of the severely multiply-disabled community. It is currently widely practiced in Michigan, Texas and portions of Europe, South Africa, Australia and California, and is spreading rapidly due to its effectiveness to reach all learners.

LILLIWORKS ACTIVE LEARNING FOUNDATION was founded in 2001 by parents of a child with severe disabilities. The non-profit foundation is dedicated to the idea that everyone with severe disabilities can learn. LilliWorks provides Active Learning environments, and support the principles of Active Learning with outreach, education, research and development. The Wrobel family has personally invested over $50,000 and thousands of hours to launch the Foundation.

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