Despite a growing literature on the value of family involvement for students with disabilities, there are ongoing misunderstandings about the reasons why culturally and linguistically diverse families of students with disabilities might be less involved with their child at school than other families. This article describes a project conducted with…

This guide presents principles of person-centered planning, an approach to organizing and guiding community change in alliance with people with disabilities and their families and friends. The approach focuses on the individual's desired future, his or her present reality, necessary services, and currently available community resources. Individual…

A study investigated effects of training related to using the Sequenced Transition to Education in the Public Schools model (STEPS) on the development of community-wide transition systems. Seven teams composed of public schools, Head Start, and early intervention representatives were trained. Change occurred as a result of the training. (Author/CR)

This brief paper reports on an evaluation of 10 community rehabilitation providers, six that successfully closed a facility-based program between 1989 and 1994, and four who are currently involved in a change process. Data collection consisted of participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. Findings indicated: (1)…

This report presents three case studies that are part of a larger study of six organizations which have closed a sheltered workshop or a nonwork, segregated program and replaced them with integrated employment or other integrated, community-based activities for individuals with disabilities. The three organizations reported on are Bonney…

This booklet is intended for individuals with disabilities, their families, friends, and advocates who are interested in supported employment. It begins with a description of the system that provides supported employment, explaining that vocational rehabilitation agencies and social services agencies "buy" supported employment services from direct…

This article describes service outcomes for people with disabilities, achieved by local Oregon communities during the past five years as they have implemented a community capacity building model called the Community Transition Team Model. Principles of successful programs included active participation of diverse stakeholders, change viewed as a…

This paper reviews the status of children with disabilities throughout the world. It summarizes United Nations information on the prevalence of disability and on prevention efforts. Progress is noted in the areas of immunization, increased early intervention services, community-based rehabilitation, and increased recognition of governmental…

This report describes visits of two Americans to Bratislava, (Slovakia) and Prague (Czech Republic) as part of a larger project providing technical assistance to improve the care and services for children with special needs in these countries. A summary of the Bratislava visit lists people met and places visited (with a brief description of each…

This article discusses the outcomes of a project that used a community development framework to implement change in early care and intervention services in two culturally diverse communities. It describes how community forums and parent leadership training assisted in change efforts and lessons learned from implementation and evaluating reforms.…

The Community Transition Team Model guides the process of systematic program change in secondary special education and transition programs in Oregon. The model uses a management-by-objectives paradigm for implementing its principles, which include local control, a developmental perspective on change, a focus on program capacity, and networking…

This joint position paper of the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the World Health Organization is presented in booklet form and urges cooperative approaches to promoting community-based rehabilitation (CBR) of people with disabilities. A definition of CBR is offered. It…

This research project sought to identify, at a local community level, the needs and concerns of American Indians with disabilities. The selected target community was Denver, Colorado, and its surrounding metropolitan area. Data were collected through 100 face-to-face interviews with a volunteer population of American Indians with disabilities. The…

This document provides information on how internal or external facilitators can support early intervention teams in promoting meaningful change in their communities. The information presented is derived from a federally funded project that provided training and technical assistance to local early intervention interagency teams. The project's…

This monograph presents a synthesis of the solutions and strategies generated during a June 1995 national forum of state, territorial, and tribal child care administrators on the inclusion of children with disabilities in community-based child care settings. The monograph is organized into sections focused on the five major issue areas discussed…