A study of 2560 individuals with developmental disabilities found that individuals residing in community settings experience greater social integration into the community than those in institutional settings; however, social integration was found to be more strongly related to consumer satisfaction in institutional settings than in community…

This study evaluated attitudinal discrepancies among non-disabled community members regarding the acceptability of socio-sexual expression for persons with and without mental retardation. Overall, discrepancies between adults with and without mental retardation primarily concern attitudes toward marriage and parenthood. Older adults, both…

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…

A study investigated effects of two intervention strategies (contextual and coworker) on the social interactions and integration with peers of five workers with mental retardation. Neither intervention had a significant impact on the frequency of interactions; however, it appeared that the presence of a job coach suppressed interaction rates.…

This study found that, in the early stages of joint participation in community recreation activities, 19 nondisabled adults expressed cautious yet optimistic attitudes toward developing "friendships" with people with mental retardation. Such friendships are often perceived to be based partly on obligation and/or altruism. (DB)

A study demonstrated the effectiveness of a three-phase treatment package for determining setting preferences and for teaching three adults with severe mental retardation to express their choice between settings for similar leisure activities. Participants learned to use objects associated with different settings to communicate their choices.…

This study of the patterns of contact among 12 students (ages 4-17) with deaf-blindness and their nondisabled age peers at school revealed that students engaged in slightly less than 90 minutes per day in social contact. Many students with deaf-blindness were not developing stable (repeating) contacts with any of their peers. (Author/JDD)

This study evaluated nondisabled high school students' attitudinal change toward students with severe disabilities through inclusion of special-education students in two service-learning projects, one in which disabled students contributed to the project and one in which they received the service. Findings indicated that the equal-participation…

This study investigated the effects of using general education peers to instruct four students (age 8) with mental retardation in board game skills. Results found that the peer-mediated intervention produced an increase in interactions between students with and without mental retardation and that these increases generalized across social…

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a training program for behavioral aides providing individualized support for adults with severe disabilities and challenging behaviors in a day treatment center found all five participants were able to show marked increases in their clients' social and physical community integration. The training program focused…

Analysis of questionnaire responses from 71 preschool teachers found that the more satisfied teachers were with the level of support and training they received regarding inclusion of children with disabilities, the more positive were their attitudes toward the inclusion concept. Self-perceptions of competency were also related to positive…

Data collected in 1987 (n=315) and in 1998 (n=144) found a positive shift in high school students' attitudes toward individuals with mental retardation with strong indication that inclusion had been a factor. Females decreased their derogatory beliefs while males increased in positive attitudes toward integration issues. (Contains references.)…

Findings of a study in which four elementary general-education teachers commented on the inclusion of students with significant disabilities within general-education classrooms indicated that children with disabilities were described and observed as full classroom members. Difficulties were related to designing and implementing appropriate and…

A study investigated parent and sibling perspectives on the inclusion of 21 children with moderate or severe disabilities. Both parents and siblings believed the children were capable, wanted to have the children around typical peers as much as possible, and had general satisfaction with the amount and type of inclusion. (Contains extensive…

Interactions between 10 elementary students with moderate/severe mental retardation and their peers and instructors were observed during physical education classes. Subjects generally interacted equally with peers with and without disabilities; when significant differences existed, the structure of the class was found to be the cause. Homogeneous…