The Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2011) supports service delivery that recognizes cultural and linguistic diversity, which often involves the use of interpreters and translators, §303.321(a)(5) and 303.321(a)(6). Therefore, it is essential that early intervention/early childhood special education…

The ability to use written language to communicate receptively (i.e., reading) and expressively (i.e., writing) is important in school, work, and independent living. Students who struggle early with reading have difficulty catching up with their peers as they move through school and in academic areas that rely on reading proficiency. Individuals…

Describes a study of leisure activities of interest to people with intellectual disabilities. Reports that one group of adolescents, one of adults, and one of seniors were interviewed. Lists reasons for lack of participation in leisure activities, including: (1) no leisure skill training; (2) lack of opportunities; and (3) lack of transportation.…

This three-year pilot program provided an opportunity to work intensively with a small group of severe epileptic clients in a comprehensive rehabilitation center setting. The goals of the program were not only to evaluate intensively and attempt to maximize the individual client's potential for working and living in society through the provision…

Describes a professional development program for teachers designed to foster a greater awareness of the needs of students with disabilities. Uses the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons survey and interviews to assess the effectiveness of the pilot program, which consisted of three seminars. Concludes that the seminars had a positive impact on…

The Alberta Education study of student attitudes toward the handicapped described existing levels of student awareness and attitudes about handicapped persons and determined in 134 Alberta schools if attitudes could be changed through classroom presentations. The effectiveness of two programs were evaluated--Program 1, a handicapped person…

Results were considered significant in that 11 percent of the students screened were identified as potentially hearing impaired as compared to 4 percent of the regular Baltimore City School student population who failed hearing screenings. (Author)

Describes school activities of two seven-year-old children (one rural, one urban) with low incidence disabilities. Finds similarities and differences in context and content of school activities, amount of engaged time, student heterogeneity, and in teacher training. Recommends research toward improving special education for low incidence disabled…

To increase the number of German employees undergoing rehabilitation rather than retiring early because of medical disabilities, a screening process was developed whereby the pension insurance institutions responsible for administering medical rehabilitation measures would identify persons in need of rehabilitation and urge them to take part. An…

The paper describes a special education staff's problems with teaching a severely handicapped institutionalized population and reports on observations of seven multiply handicapped (blind-mentally retarded) students. The students' feeding skills performance in the institution and the school was compared in such terms as diet, utensil use, special…

A review of existing emotional disorder assessment techniques confirmed that they are inappropriate for most children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and pay inadequate attention to affective symptoms in these subjects. A new instrument designed to evaluate mood and affect which has shown good interrater agreement is described.…

The authors describe a research effort funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention which is addressing the hypothesized link between learning disabilties and juvenile delinquency. (SBH)

Describes redesigning an introductory undergraduate special-education course. Finds that the use of stories and literacy activities as a foundation was a powerful tool in helping students see disabled people in new ways. Discusses why educators need to see disability in new ways. Elaborates three ways that reflective inquiry can show how students…

The Oak Hill School Model was developed to secure the best plan for educating, training, and developing a life program for the multihandicapped person. The handicapped individual's full potential is developed in the least restrictive environment. The group home program teaches self-help skills and is an alternative to the institution. (JN)

Presented is an introduction to laser videodisc technology, covering both hardware and courseware considerations and technological applications to special education. Described is the application of videodisc courseware to the teaching of fractions, and results of a successful program to teach fractions to eight mainstreamed students with learning…