Equitable education requires racially, and economically integrated schools staffed by skilled teachers who are adequately prepared to teach in diverse classrooms. This summary includes best practices reflecting the concerted efforts of communities across the country working to pursue integrated communities reflecting the rich diversity in the…

This document is part of a Bridgespan Group research project that focused on the question: "How could a philanthropist make the biggest improvement on social mobility with an investment of $1 billion?" In answering this question, the authors have sought to understand "what matters most" for improving social mobility outcomes.…

Annie Sullivan Enterprises, Inc. (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), a community resource network for the integration of children and youth with developmental disabilities and mental health problems, is described. A brokerage model is espoused for accessing and delivering services. Recommendations based on seven years of successful operation are…

Trilhos Alternativos (Alternative Paths) is a community-based program that aims to integrate African-Portuguese urban youth from low-income families into Portuguese society. This article describes the first year of the program and presents formative data about effectiveness of the program. The motivation system seems to be an indirect variable…

Organizations that offer outdoor adventure activities can integrate programs to include individuals with disabilities. The paper describes how one organization includes diverse groups of people with and without disabilities in its outdoor activities, focusing on each member's strengths and encouraging cooperation. (SM)

Activity coaches from university teacher education and health education programs were trained to use individualized accommodations to help six children (ages 6-13) with developmental disabilities participate in community recreation activities. Children participated in swim classes or gymnastics at individualized levels, expressed enjoyment, and…

Planning and implementing successful community-based social integration experiences for infants and toddlers with multiple disabilities require consideration of such issues as the developmental needs unique to this age-group, family needs and concerns, health and safety considerations, and training needs of staff. (JDD)

This case study is based on a 1988 site visit to the Orion Community, in which a group of nondisabled and disabled people have chosen to live and work with each other in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Orion's founding is described, beginning with an informal support group of professionals, parents, advocates, and members of Camphill (agricultural…

The report, one of a series describing innovative practices in integrating people with disabilities into community life, describes the Gig Harbor (Washington) group home which serves five severely retarded adults. The home is staffed by five people, two teams and the Director, with each team living in the house on alternate weeks. Topics covered…

Learning communities are a popular strategy that community colleges nationwide have embraced in support of developmental students. In a learning community, a cohort of students takes two or more courses linked by integrated themes and assignments that are developed through ongoing faculty collaboration. While the number of learning community…

Based on the experiences of the staff of the Community Membership Project of Bloomington, Indiana, this paper discusses how community builders have collaborated with 10 older persons with developmental disabilities to increase their community participation. The paper addresses the initial stages of community building with older persons, the…

The booklet describes the goal of the Canadian Association for Community Living that all Canadian citizens with mental retardation will, by the year 2000, be part of families and communities with a voice in decisions affecting their lives. The history of the association since the 1950's is briefly reviewed and remaining obstacles to the longterm…

This paper describes the Pathfinders program in New York (New York), which works to facilitate the full integration of adults with developmental disabilities into workplaces and neighborhoods. The paper is organized around the question of whether students graduating from special education can find paid and volunteer work in community settings,…

This paper describes how one non-profit organization is evaluating its effectiveness in providing services to adults with developmental disabilities. Kindcare, a non-profit ecumenical organization serves over 150 adults with developmental disabilities in the southeastern Wisconsin area. The program provides education, social, and support programs…

This longitudinal study evaluated changes in the quality of life experienced by 36 residents (mean age 61 years) of community-based homes after leaving an institutional setting for individuals with disabilities. Data showed that considerable improvement followed the move to community-based homes, especially in the use of community facilities and…