The checklist in this document is intended to provide schools, districts, or other stakeholders in secondary transition with a framework for determining the degree to which their program is implementing practices that are likely to lead to more positive post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. A team should consider the definition of…

An individual with a disability complains that under the blanket term "disabled" individual needs and rights are not respected, privacy is invaded, people are always being evaluated but never asked to evaluate services they receive, and everything must be part of a "program" rather than just part of daily life. (JDD)

This packet of information focuses on innovative practices related to supported living for people with disabilities. It opens with an article by John O'Brien, "Supported Living: What It's Not," which summarizes common misunderstandings of supported living. The next section describes eight innovative agencies in the area of support…

This report evaluates how effective the brokerage system operated by the Community Living Society in Vancouver (British Columbia) has been in meeting the needs of individuals with a mental handicap living in the community. The program stresses service brokerage, a mechanism to deliver the planning resources required to arrange and purchase…

Discussion of the dynamics of individualized funding for providing services to people with developmental disabilities focuses on how individual funding may drive the changes necessary to develop services that offer highly customized assistance. This discussion considers why the concept of paying customers is powerful but misleading in light of…

This paper discusses the concept of individualized, supported living arrangements for individuals with severe disabilities. The supported living arrangements are intended to enable people with disabilities to live in the community in a manner of their choice that most closely approximates the experience of people without disabilities, with support…

This article notes the increasing emphasis on self-determination in the school-to-adulthood transition movement, describes four self-determination models, and outlines instructional programs to promote self-determination in students with learning disabilities. Emerging issues are identified, including redefinition of roles, importance of taking…

Reviews various models used for delivering personal adjustment services to individuals with visual impairments, including center-based services and home-based services. Addresses the need to individualize the rehabilitation process by determining the type of program and service delivery that best meets an individual's needs. (CR)

This manual presents guidelines for teaching students with disabilities necessary skills for safe and independent travel on public buses. Six guidelines for teachers include: (1) participate in bus training; (2) use wise and intelligent judgment; (3) utilize the bus checklist; (4) know and teach bus rules; (5) know bus routes; and (6) know bus…

This checklist is intended to help communities evaluate their provision of Personal Assistance Services (PAS) for people with significant disabilities. Although PAS services are the key component of individualized supports for such persons, they should be considered in conjunction with other services. Essential qualities of effective PAS are: (1)…

Thirty-nine individuals with developmental disabilities received individualized rehabilitation programs based on client choice and implemented in client-approved home/community environments, and received training in residential, leisure, and personal skills. The intervention resulted in improved self-awareness, self-confidence, independence, and…

Guidelines are presented for individualizing daily schedules or routines to reflect better the preferred lifestyles of persons with severe handicaps. Four dimensions that can be systematically manipulated to address challenging behavior are presented, including timing of routines, form of the activities, pattern of succession of activities, and…

This Interview Guide provides a framework for gathering information necessary to design individualized community-based services and supports based upon the needs and desires of persons with developmental disabilities. It is not designed to be a functional assessment or a clinical evaluation, but rather a more informal and relaxed approach to…

This paper describes the use of the Individual Career Plan (ICP) with students having disabilities at the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) at Amherst. The ICP is a career development tool that encourages self-determination. First, a summary of the barriers to career achievement for students with disabilities in higher education is presented.…

Describes a program to facilitate contextual learning for school-aged students with disabilities by developing individualized, community-based leisure education programming in concert with students' families. Emphasis is on transfer of new skills to home and community and on self-determination in leisure interests and community involvement. (DB)