The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by the IRS, offers free tax services for individuals with low-to-moderate incomes, the elderly, disabled and/or those who lack English language proficiency. Although established by the IRS in 1969, it is administered by partnering community based volunteer organizations throughout U.S.,…

"Building Your Program" is intended to help mental health authorities, agency administrators, and program leaders think through and develop Supported Education. The first part of this booklet gives you background information about the Supported Education model. Specific information about your role in implementing and sustaining Supported Education…

This report describes the procedures necessary to develop a vocational education program to prepare the physically handicapped and culturally disadvantaged for entry level jobs and responsible citizenship. The 2-part model program includes a regular vocational program with supportive services for handicapped and disadvantaged students, and a…

This paper discusses the design of a program by the Nashville (Tennessee) Center for Independent Living (CIL) to train consumers with disabilities in employing, training, supervising, and firing personal attendants. The program, supported by the Tennessee Developmental Disabilities (DD) Planning Council, provided an opportunity for program design…

This article provides step-by-step guidelines for developing a mentoring program for students with disabilities. The benefits of mentoring, role of the mentor, mentor screening, and program development are discussed. Suggested mentor and student activities are outlined, including communication, reading, leisure, and academic activities. (Contains…

Designed as a resource for all educational personnel involved with Child Find/Serve activities, the manual contains three sections which may be used independently or as a group to provide an overview of the Child Find/Serve process. The first section is an activity based handbook developed to assist in the evaluation of existing and beginning…

Examines the current state of higher education programs for students with disabilities. Defines essential program standards and components, and explores related service delivery issues. Makes recommendations for student services professionals who strive for full participation by people with disabilities in all institutions of higher education.…

Despite many barriers, a group of Oregon educators began to discuss ideas about how they could provide information that would build skills to improve the entry and success rate for high school students with disabilities in postsecondary education. These educators included high school, community college, and university staff. The Postsecondary…

The document--80% of which consists of appendixes--presents the final report of Project AID (Assistance for IEP Development), designed to assist schools in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the initiation of the individualized education program (IEP) process for handicapped students. Intensive training programs were devised for personnel in each…

This monograph discusses the benefits of recycling and reusing assistive technology for students with disabilities. It begins by discussing the benefits of recycled assistive technology for suppliers, students, and consumers, and then profiles programmatic models for assistive technology recycling programs. The advantages and disadvantages for…

Guidelines are presented for special educators designing a parent training program. The article includes a sample training format, a comparison of seven commercial parent training programs, and the identification of "best practices" in parent training (e.g., "group parents based on common need" and "establish clear goals"). (DB)

A study explored the perspectives of nine participants engaged in a specific person-centered future planning model for individuals with disabilities and their families. Focus group themes included: evolution of person-centered planning circles or teams, inhibitors to the person-centered planning process, supports to the person-centered planning…

Panda bears are the theme of this guide which includes many reading-related activities, crafts, and programs on a broad range of topics, and which can be expanded to other theme approaches such as endangered species, bears in general, and the concept of black and white. The program begins with a general definition and discussion of goals,…

This publication offers a sampling of the innovative programs begun or expanded in fiscal 1972 in the State of Maryland. These programs were designed to turn on bored students to the relevance of education, to develop career awareness among students at all grade levels and alert them to the values and rewards of work, to make adults aware of new…

This article offers guidelines for designing inservice education for personnel working with young children with disabilities and their families. Discussion covers definitions, assumptions, support and start up, initial planning, program design, evaluation, implementation, and follow-up. It identifies special considerations and circumstances…