The Young Adult Institute (YAI), a private, nonprofit agency serving developmentally disabled persons in the New York City metropolitan area, designed and implemented a program which used a videotape and detailed staff training manual to teach clients how better to protect themselves from contracting acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The protection program was targeted in particular to higher functioning clients who participated in community activities on a more independent basis and received less supervision than did more severely disabled clients. The following program objectives were identified: (1) define AIDS, and state why it is so dangerous; (2) state who is at risk for contracting AIDS and how it is contracted; (3) identify risky sexual practices; (4) identify safer sexual behaviors and practices; (5) teach clients how to resist social pressures that may lead to risky or unsafe sex; and (6) demonstrate via videotape the use of a condom. Possible dilemmas regarding AIDS training, such as parental objections, are noted. Among four policy statements regarding AIDS education are that all clients deemed at risk must receive specific AIDS training taught at their cognitive level. (JW)