Basic information about respite care for individuals with disabilities and their families is presented in a question-and-answer format. The following questions are addressed: "What is respite?"; "Who needs respite services?"; "Who provides respite services?"; "What kinds of services are provided?"; "How…

This booklet is intended as an introductory guide to community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services in developing nations. The first section examines the magnitude of the problem; the failure of existing services to meet this challenge; and the need for a model appropriate to developing countries. The second section briefly describes the CBR…

This report provides guidelines and a process for people with disabilities living in Massachusetts to follow to evaluate employment service options that will allow them to receive services best meeting their individual needs. Strategies for finding out information about the different programs and a checklist are given by which to evaluate…

The document outlines procedures for implementing Project CAST (Community and School Together), a community-based career education program for secondary special education students in Charles County, Maryland. Initial sections discuss the role of a learning coordinator, (including relevant travel reimbursement and mileage forms) and an overview of…

This document presents one module in a set of training resources for trainers to use with parents and/or professionals serving children with disabilities; focus is on effective community advisory committees (CACs). The modules stress content and activities that build skills and offer resources to promote parent-professional collaboration. Each…

This manual is concerned with developing community-based work for persons with disabilities, particularly disabled workers in segregated settings and individuals who are considered not yet ready for or capable of work. The first part of the publication deals with the following topics: the concepts of community, work, and severe disabilities; the…

The site visit report describes the Residential Support Program of the Centennial Developmental Services, a community-centered board providing residential services and support to persons (currently 67) with disabilities in Weld County, Colorado. Residential settings include a group home, supported apartments, foster homes, natural family homes, or…

This final report summarizes a six-year project, the Northern California Coalition, which sought to provide information and training to families within their communities and to increase the capacity of community-based parent groups. The coalition was a collaboration of three parent-directed agencies serving families of children with disabilities…

This 22-minute videotape explains that it takes a whole community to educate a child. The first section describes how one high school uses the Foxfire Formula, with teachers acting more as facilitators than bosses. Students created a student magazine. Six Foxfire core practices were used in developing the magazine (student involvement in decision…

This directory is a guide to 500 programs and services for children with special needs in New York City. Programs are listed alphabetically. When possible, each entry includes the following information: program name, address, contact information (phone, fax, e-mail), and a description which includes (when available and appropriate) the following…

This policy paper addresses sexuality issues of youth with disabilities and chronic health conditions. The first section introduces the problem of teen pregnancy and pregnancy prevention. The second section provides definitions of disabilities including both visible and invisible disabilities. Risk factors for teen pregnancy are identified and…

The study interviewed 73 Australian young people with a range of disabilities who had completed their school program in 1985. Subjects expressed their ideas concerning successful transition from school to adult life including the need for a planned transition process, a job-related school curriculum, and structured procedures to facilitate…

The paper presents a rationale for and evaluation of community-based rehabilitation (CBR). A CBR program implemented with 53 preschool disabled children in rural areas of Guyana found that the children's development improved significantly; the parents were willing to be involved; and parents' attitudes toward their children, themselves, and their…

A survey explored funding strategies used in 16 community-based programs serving infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Results pointed to two general funding sources: pooling or decategorization of public funds, and use of donated/raised funds for use by one or more programs to pay for unmet needs. (Author/CR)

The experience of Project STAR, an early intervention program for children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and their families in Boston, Massachusetts, has revealed that successful direct service programs must be family centered and community based, must provide a comprehensive range of services, and must coordinate those services across…