The article illustrates how social change for individuals with disabilities can be made through the legislative process. The author recounts a four-year process that concluded with the passage of legislation for a preschool program for handicapped children supported by an appropriation of one million dollars. (Author/CL)

The booklet describes PARENTS TRAIN PARENTS, a project in which parents of handicapped children help other parents understand their rights and responsibilities under state and federal laws. The booklet is intended to help potential adopters modify program aspects for local settings. The model is analyzed in terms of user concerns, program…

Designed for parents of handicapped children in Kentucky, the booklet contains suggestions for parent involvement and advocacy. Planning informal activities is the focus of the first section which covers informal get togethers, discussion groups, and film viewing sessions. Planning steps for more formal group activities such as workshops are…

This report presents the views of the Advisory Council for Special Education Needs for Queensland, Australia concerning effective education for students with special educational needs in regular schools. Three issue areas are identified: (1) commitment and advocacy; (2) effective management of education; and (3) improved human resource development…

Described is the National Advocacy Project of the United Cerebral Palsy Association involving demonstration projects and model programs advocating the legal and human rights of the person with a developmental disability and his family. Goals and objectives of the project are listed as follows: improving the effectiveness of agencies and services…

Described is an empowerment and self-advocacy training program for individuals with disabilities and parents of young children with disabilities, called Partners in Policymaking. Discussed are first-year activities, program evaluation data from participants, and both quantitative and qualitative short-term outcome data collected from first-year…

This manual is intended to assist individuals with disabilities or their families to protect their rights and solve their problems through developing appropriate advocacy skills. Chapter 1 defines advocacy, discusses different types of advocacy, and examines attitudes towards advocacy that may help or hinder its practice. Chapter 2 describes basic…

This collection of readings is intended to help parents of children with disabilities join together or with professionals to advocate for inclusive recreational programs for their children. The following 15 readings are included: "To Play or Not To Play? A History of Recreation in America" (Carla E. S. Tabourne et al.); "Why Is…

The handbook focuses on the methods and techniques used in the Child Advocacy Project (Philadelphia), a community development project for child advocacy in five areas--education, youth activities, health and welfare, legal rights, and handicapped and mentally retarded children. Brief sections cover the following areas (sample topics are in…

Provided is information on legislation, procedural safeguards, and programing for exceptional (handicapped and gifted) children with particular emphasis on education in Georgia. In chapter 1, the Adequate Program for Education in Georgia law (Chapter 32-6A) is annotated. Outlined in chapter 2 on procedural safeguards are guidelines for general…

This manual is intended to train parents of handicapped children to assist other parents in accessing the special education resources available in the Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools. The training program's purposes include: to increase parents' understanding of special education services, to train parents to work as collaborators with school…

This report reviews ongoing projects by the Parent Advocacy Center for Educational Rights (PACER), in particular its parent training program and programs for students. The Parents Helping Parents project is described and evaluated, including its efforts concerning public information, workshops for all parents, workshops for special groups,…

This manual presents Missouri state guidelines for its surrogate parent program, required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (P.L. 94-142), and currently under development in Missouri. An introductory chapter reviews the program's current status, outlines the surrogate parent role, and notes special considerations for students…

Recognizing the need for a new approach to the problem of federal/state jurisdictional overlaps in delivery of services to Indians, the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped contracted with the National Association of State Boards of Education and Indian Education Training, Inc. to conduct a series of national and regional conferences which…

Presented are highlights of the major recommendations offered by over 200 professionals who participated in the National Forum on Pathways to Employment, a meeting on problems relating to the job preparation and placement of handicapped individuals. An initial section lists legislative recommendations, administrative recommendations,…