This document contains four papers presented at a symposium on career development and special needs moderated by James M. Brown at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD). "Differential Rates of Employer Sponsored Job Training by Demographic Characteristics among Executives, Administrators, and Managers" (Marilynn N. Butler) reports a study of data from the January 1991 Current Population Survey that found females and nonwhites are less likely to receive training. "An Analysis of Reasons for Nonparticipation in Adult Education Programs from the Perspectives of Low-Literate Blue-Collar Male Workers in an Urban Workplace" (Deryl Davis-Harrison) discusses a study that found that high "work esteem" and low "academic esteem" variables conjointly persist as important determinants of nonparticipatory behavior. "Using Transformative Learning Principles to Improve Training Programs for the Economically Disadvantaged" (Germain D. Ludwig) describes development of a manual to assist Private Industry Councils and Service Delivery Area staffs in evaluating the educational components of Job Training Partnership Act training program proposals. "Supporting the Career Development of Older Employees: An HRD Point of View" (Bertien Rhebergen, Ida Wognum) reports a survey of a multinational chemical corporation that had an age-aware personnel policy yet still concentrated more on younger employees. Formal human resource development (HRD) activities are found to have little effect on the career development of older workers. Papers contain references. (YLB)