This article offers strategies and resources to help educators assess the impact of inclusion programs on the academic performance and social and behavioral development of students with and without disabilities. Suggested guidelines are intended to identify program strengths and aspects in need of revision. (Contains extensive references.)…

This article describes the process of developing a conceptual model of student factors that lead to self-determination of students with disabilities and then describes such a model. The model has five components: (1) know yourself; (2) value yourself; (3) plan; (4) act; and (5) experience outcomes and learn. (DB)

Students with disabilities often experience particular difficulties with handwriting, and these problems can hinder their development both in school and in postsecondary settings. This paper addresses three issues: (1) the possibility of a prejudicial and potentially lasting first impression, based on the individual's handwriting; (2) the lack of…

Flexible learning is an approach which can benefit students with learning difficulties, by meeting learning needs through the flexible management and use of a range of learning activities, environments, and resources, and by giving students increasing responsibility for their own learning and development. The approach involves reflection, review,…

The concept of coaching can be operationalized to support the growth, change, and commitment of staff, families, and children participating in integrated preschool intervention programs. Coaching is a strategy for facilitating accomplishment; it is a process whereby a coach and a player work together with the intention of realizing a player's…

The importance of providing option-rich environments that facilitate the growth of individuals with disabilities toward self-determination is emphasized. Of concern is the centrality of self-determination, constraints to self-determination, and strategies to encourage individuals to become self-determined. (Author/SW)

The transition from high school to college can be challenging and stressful for any student; it can prove to be an overwhelming experience for disabled students. Among major problems disabled students experience are: the perception that disabled persons are passive and need assistance in all areas; a lack of awareness of their rights and…

This step by step booklet aims to help individuals with the decision-making processes in choosing careers. First, in the "Dreaming" phase, readers are asked to list all possible careers they would ideally like to pursue. Next, a "Self-Assessment" should be done, in which the realities of life circumstances are also considered…

This checklist for use with students who have disabilities outlines essential steps in the transition from secondary education to employment, postsecondary education, and independent living environments. The checklist is presented in a sequential approach covering grades 8 through 12, or ages 13-14 through 17-21. Grade 8 activities focus on…

This guide, in workbook format, is intended to assist staff at British residential colleges and schools in developing individualized programs to meet the learning needs of students with disabilities or other special learning needs. Emphasis is on integration of educational and residential programs in an extended curriculum involving continual…

A major goal of the National Rural Project's (NRP) Management Information System (MIS) is to aid the parents and educators of rural handicapped students in delivering quality educational services and fully implementing the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, PL 94-142. MIS tailors reports to the specific needs of three target audiences…

This technical assistance resource guide is intended to facilitate the inclusion and participation of youth with disabilities in school-to-work systems. The approximately 215 listed items were contributed by state and local organizations nationally. Organizations were asked to select resources that offered "hands on" assistance and were published…

Two models of service delivery to college students with disabilities are compared: the traditional model, in which student personnel staff are responsible for providing services, and a student development model, in which student and staff work together, with the student more often than not taking primary responsibility for making things happen.…

This paper summarizes the research literature on the best ways for teachers to communicate with parents of children with disabilities. The relatively scanty empirical research suggests that what actually works with parents is not always what teachers expect. Findings suggest that research-tested methods of communication with parents of children…

This manual describes a Kansas program which is working toward full inclusion of students with deaf blindness through the MAPS approach (which stands for Making Action Plans or the McGill Action Planning System). An introduction stresses the value of integration and the focus of MAPS on the student's abilities and not his/her weaknesses. The MAPS…