Describes the emergence and the content of "new disability studies," an emerging field of critical inquiry in literary and language studies. Looks at how it is contributing to a more tolerant academic community. Shows how considering the development and goals of this new field can help improve understanding of what constitutes tolerance…

Agencies (n=117) providing services to individuals with disabilities were surveyed regarding professional terminology, philosophy, programs, and perceptions of Special Olympics. Results suggest that Special Olympics should place more emphasis on inclusion opportunities and provide opportunities for a wider variety of individuals with disabilities…

The study examined perceptions of issues associated with inclusive education of 437 parents from a midwestern state in the United States who have a child with a mild, moderate, or severe disability. Parents responded to a modified form of the Opinions Related to Mainstreaming (ORM) Scale (Antonak & Larrivee, 1995) and provided additional…

This literature review examined five terms used to describe the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education schools and classrooms. The objective was to determine if these terms have consistent definitions and descriptions. Major journals and texts in education, and position statements and newsletters from special education…

This paper discusses the historical relationship between people with disabilities and the rest of society. It describes the period from World War I through World War II as one of humanitarianism during which the development of a limited number of adaptive devices helped people with disabilities adjust to their disabilities as much as possible. The…

In conjunction with a research project of the International Labor Office's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 184 Japanese women with disabilities were surveyed. The survey gathered data concerning the women's education, occupations, income sources, interests, and occupational hardships and frustrations. The major strategies suggested by…

The paper recommends that young children with disabilities be placed in preschool classes with normally developing children whenever possible. Significant benefits are cited in the areas of social, emotional, and communication development when children with handicapping conditions are educated in settings with their nonhandicapped peers. Four…

Results of a survey of 92 nonhandicapped first and second graders (9 of whom had previously participated in a structured integration program and 52 of whom had had unstructured informal contact with the handicapped) suggested that contact with handicapped persons, regardless of type or timing, improved attitudes. (Author/JW)

The central purpose of mainstreaming is to integrate handicapped students with nonhandicapped peers. It is the teacher's responsibility to foster positive and constructive interactions between handicapped students and their peers. Three ways of organizing constructive peer interaction are: (1) cooperation; (2) competition; and (3) an…

Discussion of transition planning in the area of physical activity and recreation/leisure for students with disabilities considers notes the increased opportunities of students transitioning into community-based programs and offers two case studies. Emphasis is on exposing students to a variety of activities at a young age and integration into…

The study applying the theory of reasoned action found that special education teachers' (N=28) intentions to structure integration opportunities were predicted from measures of attitude and subjective norm; actual reported structuring of opportunities was weakly predicted by intention and the antecedent of attitude. (Author/DB)

An integrated preschool physical education curriculum to serve children with and without disabilities is detailed, including the five-step curriculum development process, the developmental and functional characteristics of the curriculum, and facilitation of social integration. A table lists the curriculum's goals and objectives. (DB)

Transition experts (n=149) ranked barriers to achieving social integration of individuals with disabilities and identified areas of consensus on social integration outcomes and interventions related to youths' transition from school to employment. Experts agreed that social integration is a multidimensional concept, indicating that varying…

This article applies four theoretical perspectives to the development of Group Action Planning, which supports infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in inclusive environments. Practical suggestions for implementing Group Action Planning are offered, as is a longitudinal vignette of its application with one individual with…

Two letters from German educators respond to an article by Carola Murray-Seegert (EC 602 675) on mainstreaming of people with disabilities in Germany. The letters, in both the original German and English translation, basically support the article's premises and urge increasing efforts toward integration of the disabled in Germany. (DB)