The International Dyslexia Association definition of dyslexia was updated 20 years ago and has been referenced frequently in research and practice. In this paper, researchers from the Florida Center for Reading Research consider the components of the definition and make recommendations for revisions. These include recognizing the persistence of…

Conceptualising and defining special education determine what services will be provided for learners with special educational needs (SENs). The focus of our study was two questions: (1) how are people with SENs in China defined, conceptualised and perceived by stakeholders, and (2) how does society in China view special education? This was…

The adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2006 and, in particular, Article 24 was a landmark in the struggle of people with disability for recognition of their fundamental human rights, including their right to education. As a legally binding treaty under international law, imposing…

Australia has legislation in the form of the "Disability Discrimination Act 1992" (Cth) and the "Disability Standards for Education 2005" (Cth) that has the objective of eliminating disability discrimination. The purpose of this scoping review was to determine the extent to which this legislation is achieving the elimination of…

The literature on twice-exceptionality suggests one of the main problems facing twice-exceptional children is that there is no consensus on the definition of the terms "disability" or "giftedness" and, consequently, the term "twice-exceptional". Endeavoring to define these specific terms loops back on itself to…

This paper attempts to illuminate a central concept and idea in special education discourse, namely, "special needs". It analyses philosophically what needs are and on what grounds they are defined as "special" or "exceptional". It also discusses whether sorting needs into ordinary and special is discriminatory. It is argued that individualistic…

Basic information about the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is presented in a question-and-answer format. The following questions are addressed: "What is the purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?"; "Why is the ADA needed?"; "How is disability defined by the ADA?"; "What does the ADA…

This article provides an overview of how the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) affects employment of individuals with disabilities. Examples from congressional reports are included in discussions of each of the five Titles; definition of disability; and specific provisions concerning essential job functions, reasonable accommodations,…

This article discusses the movement toward focusing on the individual rather than the disabling condition when referring to people with disabilities and contrasts acceptable and unacceptable terminology for people with different types of disabilities. The terms "impairment,""disability," and "handicap" are defined. (CR)

In administering its 300-plus programs, HEW begins the enforcement of a wide-ranging law to protect the rights of more than 36 million handicapped individuals living in the United States. (Editor)

This report explores current assumptions about the social and scientific formulations and treatments of disability that currently underlie the research agenda in the disability field. Formulations that focus on disability as residing in the individual (Individual Pathology) are discussed. Treatment strategies resulting from this definition of…

This response to Maag and Howell (EC 602 677) reviews the problem of exclusion from special education of children with social maladjustment. The response considers the historical need to limit services to children or youth with emotional or behavioral disorders and the current underidentification of such pupils. Definitional issues are also…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 outlaws discrimination against people with disabilities. It is a bold and comprehensive law affecting employment, transportation, services provided by state and local government, services and accommodations offered by private businesses, and telecommunication access for people with communication…

Developed by the Illinois Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, this guide is intended to help parents and other laypersons communicate more knowledgeably and effectively with professionals who work with handicapped persons, as well as with handicapped individuals themselves. Section I offers suggestions for interpersonal…

Focuses on the operational meanings of the following terms--"handicapped individual,""otherwise qualified,""reasonable accommodation," and "essential functions of the job"--as developed primarily in federal court decisions concerned with employment issues associated with handicapped persons in public…