Two studies investigated the extent to which high school students (N=12 and N=6) with such handicaps as moderate mental retardation, learning handicaps, and deafness could learn work behaviors in a technological setting. After training, these students were judged by graduate students and high school students to be significantly more vocationally…

The community of Austin, Texas has several programs for after school day care for students with disabilities, including: Extend-A-Care, where nondisabled peers participate in play and care activities with disabled children; summer camps for autistic children sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department; and summer camps operated by the Easter…

The case study describes various treatments implemented over a three-year period to reduce and eliminate multiple and severe self-injurious behaviors in a 45-year-old retarded and psychotic institutionalized man. Nonaversive intervention and community involvement was associated with positive behavior change and eventual community placement. (DB)

Reviews two case studies which evaluate the use of gaming/simulation as a participatory method for including users in the design of community projects. Questionnaires and interviews are used to compare visual gaming methods with verbal discussion methods in designing an activity center for handicapped residents and a community garden project. (LRW)

Group homes and foster homes (N=436) rated the frequency with which their severely retarded residents engaged in 20 leisure activities. Group home residents engaged in 60% of the activities more often than foster home residents, although some leisure activities appeared to be generic across different living and community situations. (Author/JDD)

Ten local communities and their programs for pregnant and parenting adolescents were studied. Only under exceptional circumstances could localities develop and maintain comprehensive service programs. In some cases no services were offered outside of school settings. Federal support through legislation and dollars is necessary to sustain such…

Differentiates between traditional psychology and community psychology in the movement from the institution into the community, suggesting a more active role in ascertaining potential community stressors. Particular attention is given to models of intervention for under fives and mentally handicapped people. (DT)

Data on referral and discharge from a short-term habilitative facility are used to illustrate the "survival analysis" of the rate at which institutionlized mentally retarded persons are released to the community and regression analysis of factors which help predict time to release. (Author)

The Greater Detroit Society for the Blind programs strive toward independent living for the blind elderly through a team approach combining referrals, support groups, and personal adjustment; community-based classes; and individualized rehabilitation in extended care facilities. (MC)

Describes set-up, user characteristics, goals, and successes of neighborhood computer centers where informal microcomputer instruction is presented. Centers described include East Harlem's Playing to Win; Center for the Development of Non-Formal Education in Austin, Texas; a learning center in New York City's business district; and Family…

Community-driven school reform is receiving greater attention now as communities become more closely involved with their schools. One such program is a grassroots, faith-based organization called People Acting for Community Together (PACT). PACT is one of about 150 community-organizing groups nationwide that have worked to improve student learning…

To document the effectiveness of instruction, a retrospective pre-post type of evaluation was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a continuing education program designed for adults involved in community economic development. At the conclusion of the learning experience, the 35 participants were asked to complete a brief questionnaire that…

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,…

Noting that the need for after-school child care will vary considerably by community, this tool kit has been developed to encourage local collaborations of community members to examine the needs and programs for school-age care, with this term including child care before school and during the summer, in their community. The guide provides a…

Two studies examined turnover among newly hired residential direct support workers in community homes serving people with developmental disabilities. In Study 1, 110 community homes for people with mental retardation in Minnesota were surveyed for facility and residential characteristics, direct support worker wages and benefits, recruitment and…