This article describes a collaborative project of New Mexico's State Vocational Education Division, Department of Special Education, and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the University of New Mexico to develop a transition to work process for students with disabilities at three rural sites. The article describes administrative support,…

A regional survey of 142 supported employment program managers and 519 direct service personnel found most of the personnel are female, young, highly educated, minimally paid, and with basic knowledge of supported employment philosophy, management, and implementation strategies. A need for technical assistance to refine skills was identified.…

This article identifies competencies needed by paraprofessionals working in early childhood special education including ways to document various mastery levels. It describes use of the competencies in Oregon's early childhood special education personnel development program. It explains the process used to identify needed competencies and also…

Discussion of the research-to-practice gap in special education first suggests the Mainstream Assistance Teams effort as an example of this gap. It then suggests reasons for the gap and proposes a model that emphasizes collaboration between researchers and practitioners and nontraditional staff development activities. Lessons learned and…

The authors report on a national survey of administrators and program specialists at 43 state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies concerning the impact of federal employment legislation and rehabilitation policies on the provision of services to consumers who are deaf or hard of hearing. The article focuses on 5 initiatives enacted to enhance…

This study describes responsibilities and training needs of paraeducators in physical education. Paraeducators (n = 138) employed in 34 midwestern schools received a 27-item questionnaire. Of the 138 paraeducators contacted, 76 responded, resulting in a 55.1% response rate. Only 16% of the total respondents (n = 76) reported receiving specific…

The personal stories in this collection are by the staff of an agency which provides "supported living" services to adults with mental retardation and other disabilities. The stories were written to be read at monthly staff meetings when time is set aside to clarify and renew the organization's values. Introductory material offers suggestions for…

The concept of coaching can be operationalized to support the growth, change, and commitment of staff, families, and children participating in integrated preschool intervention programs. Coaching is a strategy for facilitating accomplishment; it is a process whereby a coach and a player work together with the intention of realizing a player's…

This training module was developed in order to help teachers, parents, administrators, and other educational personnel to understand the problems and difficulties encountered by learners with disabilities trying to access microcomputers. The main body of the module describes hardware considerations and strategies for increasing microcomputer…

Designed for individuals interested in implementing career development programs for disabled adults, this report presents information on the Lifelong Career Development (LCD) project and its potential for implementation in the community college. Chapter 1 examines lifelong learning and the career development needs of disabled individuals, presents…

The guide presents descriptions of 65 unique or exemplary special education programs in California, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington. Programs were identified through a peer nomination process. Entries include information on project title, target population, project description, process for evaluation or analysis and…

Intended for administrators and trustees of cultural institutions, the booklet offers guidelines for evaluating buildings and programs in terms of accessibility to the handicapped, locating and making good use of advisors and consultants, training staff to deal successfully with disabled visitors, taking advantage of the available resources and…

One of 10 documents developed for preschool programs for handicapped children, the project manual for the Preschool Program of the Putnam/Northern Westchester (NY) Board of Cooperative Educational Services provides program teachers with policies, procedures, and forms. Materials are divided into seven categories: administration and management,…

The manual was designed to help local education agencies in the state of Washington plan education programs for young handicapped children. Addressed in terms of goal, rationale, critical subcomponents, and evaluation procedures are eight components: administration, child find, educational programs, parent/family involvement, community…

The Special and General Education Leadership (SAGE) Project was a 3 year effort focusing on inservice activities for administrators and other personnel geared toward implementation of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The project involved three objectives: to design, implement, and evaluate a series of staff development…