This paper discusses the development of an overall network of respite care services in the Federal Republic of Germany, the need for respite care services, efforts of a national organization called Lebenshilfe, evolution of the concept of respite care, and future tasks. (Author/JDD)

A workhome was developed in which 20 adolescents with chronic autism live, work, and enjoy leisure activities in an interlinked environment. Residents have a sheltered but meaningful life without having to strive for "normality." This brief research report describes the workhome's residents, program of structured activities, staffing, and…

This paper describes an organization developed by and for people with physical disabilities in Malaysia, as a case study of self-help action in the southeast Asia region. The paper reviews the origin and growth of the organization, its program of activities, and the nature and future of disability self-help. (Author/JDD)

This survey compared and contrasted the aims, resources, programs, and effectiveness of 40 British organizations involved in the training of people with disabilities in new technology skills. Findings included training concentrated on information technology-related occupations rather than other technology aspects; training was predominantly…

This paper describes the development of community-based rehabilitation services for persons with mental illness in Israel. It focuses on occupational, social, and residential community psychiatric rehabilitation services. The paper argues that service development has been slow and out of step with the philosophy and objectives of community…

This paper presents a framework for early intervention for children having (or at risk of developing) disabilities, produced by Eurlyaid, a working party of the European Community. The framework addresses definitions of key concepts, the target group, rationale behind early intervention, content of early intervention, conditions necessary for…

This paper describes an effective systems approach for conducting physical therapy inservice training. The approach requires that the problem area be selected by staff consensus, and consists of eight elements such as "prioritizing needs" and "constructing performance measures." The approach is applied to planning and administering therapeutic…

This article identifies potential users of disability-related information, lists categories of information need, considers information management at the national and local levels, offers an eight-step series of questions to guide in the provision of information services, and discusses sources of funding. (DB)

This paper offers a model for planning services for children who are both mentally retarded and autistic. The model and recommendations for the residential therapeutic environment are organized according to the main axes of child development (biological, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional). (Author/DB)

Rehabilitation news items include, among others: a midpoint review of the implementation of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons, an international study on the impact of new technologies on employment of disabled people, and a U.S. project to investigate disability service provision and innovations in other countries. (JDD)

The "Open Road" project is a three-year supported employment program for adults with severe mental handicap in Dublin, Ireland. This paper describes the program's development of integrated day services; job development; program participants; and issues in program effectiveness such as family concerns, staff development, organizational…

This study examined the mentoring component of a program in the United Kingdom for young unemployed adults with the physical disability of arthritis. The 18-month Into-Work Personal Development Programme includes residential components, mentoring, and a work experience or vocational-training placement. Issues are raised concerning matching of…

The paper describes the development, content, and evaluation of an indigeniously produced video training package in the developing country of Zimbabwe which is designed for local personnel (nurses, nurses' aides, trainee nurses, and teachers) working with severely retarded and multiply handicapped children and young adults. (DB)

A project of the Poona (India) District Leprosy Committee offers training in the industrial sector to leprosy patients, orthopedically handicapped individuals, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, under a common roof. The project aims to combat the leprosy stigma and to aid rehabilitation by making the trainees economically…

This qualitative research project examined employment opportunities for youth with disabilities in Central America. Despite economic problems, high unemployment, architectural barriers, and attitudinal barriers, the study found innovations in financing, special education and rehabilitation programing, job development, and job placement…