This report describes progress made toward increasing the independence and quality of life for persons with disabilities since the National Council on the Handicapped's 1986 report "Toward Independence." Of the 45 legislative recommendations proposed in the 1986 report, 80 percent have been either partially or fully accomplished. Twenty-one statutory provisions have been enacted into law, in addition to eight bills introduced in Congress but not yet enacted. Census data and results of Harris polls have made important contributions to the database of reliable statistics on numbers and types of people with disabilities, age, income, education, employment, social life and leisure, etc. Major achievements are presented in 10 topic areas, including equal opportunity laws; employment; disincentives to work under Social Security laws; prevention of disabilities; transportation; housing; community-based services for independent living; educating children with disabilities; personal assistance through attendant services, readers, and interpreters; and coordination of service delivery. Twenty-two references are listed. (JDD)