The manual presents an overview of federal special education legislation and information about specific disabilities. The summaries of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 focus on the rights afforded to handicapped children and their families under the law. Information on disabilities is intended to provide resources for teachers and nonhandicapped students in mainstreamed classrooms. The manual covers basic definitions, answers to commonly asked questions, simulation activities, and suggestions for learning for the following disabilities: vision impairments, hearing impairments and deaf-blindness, speech disabilities, physical disabilities, mental retardation, learning disabilities, multiple handicaps, emotional disabilities and autism, and other health impairments. For each topic covered the manual lists relevant reading materials, films and organizations, and in a section on additional resources provides brief descriptions of books and other media resources that give general information on handicapping conditions and additional resources on approaches to fostering positive attitudes. Suggestions for appropriate behavior when meeting a person with a disability are also provided. (CL)