President's message.

On behalf of the entire EP family I would like to wish everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year! 2006 was an extraordinary year for Exceptional Parent and we thank all of our loyal readers and friends for helping us continue to bring valuable information to those who need it most.

EP Magazine and EP Global Communications Inc. forged some new frontiers in 2006. In this changing world of technological innovations and wartime stresses we have dedicated ourselves to remaining the go-to source for information on the entire spectrum of disabilities. To achieve this we have evolved as a communications company and have enjoyed great success in developing and offering new ways in which more people can access and utilize the services that we provide.

Perhaps the most exciting undertaking we have been involved in has been the successful creation and launch of EP LiveOnline[TM], an international information and education initiative with our global partner, Vemics Inc. EP is now delivering live, interactive, online, CME and CEU accredited educational events and seminars to both professionals and families.

Another unique accomplishment for EP has been the development of a U.S. Army Research Project entitled the "Exceptional Family Training and Transitioning Program," focusing on education and training in the developmental and special health care needs arena. The project is in response to a growing need inside the military among the many families caring for children and adults with disabilities and special health care needs and the returning soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines with severe combat related injuries. In 2007 every issue of EP Magazine will contain a special military section entitled "From Our Families to Yours" dealing with issues and challenges faced by our service men and women caring for children and adults with disabilities. It is our hope that those of us in the civilian sector can benefit from some of the special programs the military has developed, particularly those involving transitioning and education.

Our EP Disability Awareness Night (DAN[TM]) program also continued to expand in 2006 and was met with enthusiastic support from our national sponsor, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). In the 2006 season MassMutual sponsored 36 DAN events and has since renewed its sponsorship for the 2007 season.

Exceptional Parent was also the recipient of several awards this past year. For our work in the field of autism we were honored by the U.S. Senate and Congress and the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC). As President and CEO of EP I was also personally honored by the International Brain Injury Foundation for my work in the field of disabilities and specifically cited in the Congressional Record by Senator Lautenberg of New Jersey for work in the field of autism.

EP Magazine's Editor in Chief, Dr. Rick Rader, was also honored in 2006. He was elected the President of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD), the American Association on Multi Sensory Environments (AAMSE), and Label Me Not--The Campaign for a Stigma Free Society, where I was elected as a board member. We are very grateful for these acknowledgments within the field that we consider so extremely important.

In 2007 we expect even greater accomplishments--beginning with this issue and the publication of the "People's Piece" of the "Surgeon General's Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities." The "Call to Action" highlights disability as a major public health issue and this "People's Piece" provides in simple easy-to-understand language the same basic information. It aims to improve everyone's knowledge about the health and wellness of people with disabilities and for this reason EP considers it a great honor and privilege to be the only disability publication in America asked to publish this powerful piece.

Most importantly, in 2007 we at Exceptional Parent will be focusing on you, your families and your stories. We will continue to highlight the many wonderful accomplishments of parents, teachers and caregivers working hard every day to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. We embrace the challenge of bringing you the most credible, reliable information available. And, our fervent wish is that through our magazine, our website, our online interactive educational programs and our many ongoing projects we are able to serve you and help you for many more years to come. Thank you and Happy New year!

Joseph M. Valenzano, Jr. President and CEO EP Global Communications, Inc. Exceptional Parent