It is often easier to do something for somebody than to let that person do it him or herself. But that does not build self esteem and confidence. This article describes the new recreation building at the Massachusetts Hospital School that challenges students to master progressively difficult tasks. (MT)

Reviews Task Force's attempts to influence American Psychological Association (APA) policies. Major accomplishments include (1) APA's "Guidelines on Physical and Social Accessibility" and their implementation at the APA annual convention and (2) development, with the American Association of State Psychology Boards, of guidelines for…

The article examines the concept of accessible environments for the visually impaired and describes the role of the federal government in encouraging local transit authorities to comply with Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that requires barrier-free access to all users. (Author/CL)

Using the examples of Owen D. Young School in Van Hornesville, New York, and the Tonawanda City school district in Buffalo, New York, describes how school planners should take the accessibility standards mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into account when renovating. (EV)

This article points out specific features of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system that enhance accessibility for people with disabilities. These include the display magnifier, visual sounds, text-to-speech, text narration, on-screen keyboard, keyboard settings, mouse features, and Internet accessibility. (Contains 3 references.) (DB)

Addresses the implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act for 4-H programs, the benefits of mainstreaming youth with disabilities, and examples of 4-H project modifications enabling participation at Purdue University. (SK)

Investigated access to generic substance abuse services for persons with mental retardation. Telephone survey of chemical dependency treatment agencies revealed that agencies accepting mentally retarded clients differed significantly from nonaccepting agencies in their perceived difficulty in integrating these clients and in their acceptance of…

Examination of over 1,000 calls to the Job Accommodation Network involving workers with spinal cord injury identified the nature of the industry, job, career progression, and accessibility solutions. The number of calls increased dramatically after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (SK)

Discusses the ease with which recreational facilities can accommodate wheelchair softball and other adapted sports, including activities for aquatic facilities. The legal requirement for sporting facilities to be adaptable to persons with physical disabilities is also stressed. (GR)

A study of 41 employed people with chronic illness found that job satisfaction was related to accessibility, performance of essential functions, and job mastery. Reduction of workplace barriers to productivity through job accommodation and career counseling is needed. (SK)

With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States and the Canadian Chartre of Rights and Freedoms, there is a new work environment for individuals with learning disabilities (LD) in North America. This qualitative study sought to compare the employment experiences of 25 U. S. adults with LD and 24 Canadian adults with…

Lynne Cutler's driving force is the intense curiosity that led her to audit 24 additional courses while studying librarianship. It is what drives her to make Oakland Public Library's services available to those with disabilities, so that everyone can have "access to all the things in life I treasure, like books, words, music, art,…

Many types of technology support caregiving: (1) Assistive devices include medicine dispensers, feeding and bathing machines, clothing with polypropylene fibers that stimulate muscles, intelligent ambulatory walkers for those with both vision and mobility impairment, medication reminders, and safety alarms; (2) Telecare devices ranging from…

The American Association of Community Colleges' (AACC) Plus 50 Initiative (2008-2011), funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, was created to build the capacity of community colleges nationwide to develop programming that engages the plus 50 learner. The Initiative supported a pilot group of 13 two-year institutions to develop or expand college…

This paper explores the need to adopt legislative and regulatory safeguards to guarantee equal access by people with disabilities to evolving high speed broadband, wireless and Internet-based technologies. Recommendations include: (1) Communications Access--FCC or Congress: Extend the telecommunications accessibility requirements of Section 255 of…