In these challenging times of cutbacks in public funding for social services programs, parents and grass roots organizations continue to make a difference in their communities with innovative initiatives that are enhancing the lives of people with developmental and physical disabilities. In New York, a track team of speedsters with disabilities is…

Five years ago, the editor of "Exceptional Parent" Magazine requested the author to provide an account of a day in the life of the National Children's Study, an ambitious study by the federal government that aims to find out how the environment affects child health and development. Planning and implementation of the National Children's Study has…

A race was sponsored to raise money for a local mobility clinic and increase awareness of osteogenesis imperfects, a bone disease. The race idea required planning for publicity, organization, and finally, efforts to carry out the idea on the day of the race. (CL)

The author describes a project in which disabled students are trained to tutor nondisabled students. The advantages of such an approach are considered. Tutoring is described in resource rooms, total class approaches, and as a "ripple" model which begins small and expands. (CL)

A respite care program in New Jersey provides 50 families of mentally alert severely disabled adults with periodic relief. The program, which featured recreational and social activities, promotes the mental health of parents and families. (CL)

The history, philosophy, and importance of family support programs to enhance caregiving capacities of families with disabled children are recounted. Information from a survey of state family support programs is summarized, and successful aspects of Michigan's support subsidy are described. (CL)

Designed for parents who wish to develop local respite care services for families with disabled children, this primer outlines strategies for: evaluating current available services and programs; pulling people together; conducting a needs assessment; raising money; and writing a proposal. (CB)

The Paraprofessional Outreach Program shows parents more effective ways of managing behaviors and teaching new skills to their disabled children. The program uses as paraprofessionals other parents of developmentally delayed children living at home. A 10-day training process for parent trainees focuses on such topics as goals of community…

The article describes a program implemented in an elementary school in which normal children tutored their disabled peers. Among suggestions given for developing peer tutoring programs are the careful selection of participants, administration of pre-post achievement tests, and development of individualized objectives and activities. (SBH)

Parent to Parent programs are described as support programs that match experienced parents of disabled children with new parents. A partial directory of Parent to Parent programs, in alphabetical order by state, lists names, addresses, and telephone numbers for programs from Alabama to Kansas. (JDD)

The article describes the National Special Education Alliance, a network of parent-led organizations seeking to speed the delivery of computer technology to the disabled. Discussed are program origins, starting a local center, charter members of the alliance, benefits of Alliance membership, and the Alliance's relationship with Apple computer. (DB)

Integrating infants with visual impairments into playgroups for nonhandicapped infants and their parents has been successfully accomplished and offers benefits to both infants and parents. A model demonstration project, "Parents and Visually Impaired Infants Project," integrated infants into a community program involving play, music, and…