This project studied the use of still picture telephones by four Swedish adults (ages 25-45) with profound mental retardation and additional severe disabilities. After 5 to 6 months of subjects employing still picture telephones on a regular basis in their daily lives, relatives, staff from group homes, and other caregivers completed questionnaires on the devices' use and benefits for users. Results relate factors in the use of still picture telephones to personal/individual factors, communication, social networks, and systemic/infrastructural factors. The use of still picture telephones was found to make the content of communication clearer, increase the frequency of telephone use, promote later conversation, and allow for storage and retrieval of images used. Staff and family attitudes toward the process were found to be key factors in the establishment of still picture phones as part of daily life, and individual attention toward participants also contributed significantly. (Contains 16 references.) (PB)