PEPNet's "Perspectives" is the collaborative newsletter of the four PEPNet regional centers. This newsletter combines each centers individual strengths into a single resource that can be used on a national level. This issue focuses on the following topics: (1) PEPNet FAQs on Web, in Print; (2) Some Speech-to-Text FAQs; (3) Speech-to-Text…

PASS IT seeks to address a compelling need in higher education by developing a corps of trainers to facilitate professional development workshops in the implementation of Universal Design (UD) and Universal Instructional Design (UID) in higher education. UID, an adaptation of the architectural concept of Universal Design, is a relatively new model…

This paper aims to inform federal education policy by examining Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and two federal efforts to improve teacher quality, the Eisenhower Professional Development Program and the highly qualified teacher provisions of the No Child Left…

The organization and format of this primer which is designed for state officials differs from the other two in this series based on the recommendations of the state officials who participated in the Special Education Technical Assistance for Charter Schools (SPEDTACS) Project state team meetings convened to assist in the development of the set of…

The National Post School Outcomes Center (NPSO), in conjunction with the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), conducted a focus group with several state directors of special education to (a) discuss the collection of their post-school outcomes data and (b) share their experiences and suggestions with other state…

Business is about productivity and maintaining a competitive advantage. To do this, business needs qualified workers. Hiring people with disabilities adds value to a business and will attract new customers. Disability is not inability. Employers can make sound business decisions and gain a competitive advantage by using this guide to increase the…

Booming economic prosperity, the restoration of sociopolitical stability, and the rise of disability rights have given Asian countries both impetus and resources to improve quality of life among their citizens with disabilities. This article provides an overview of rehabilitation services and training pertaining to (a) rehabilitation-related laws…

Current educational policies require the participation of students with disabilities in state assessments. Their participation has raised a number of issues, among them the need for accommodations. In this article we consider the role that assistive technology (AT) can play to alleviate current accommodations demands, and highlight research and…

A large study in the United Kingdom of support options for deaf and hearing-impaired children was conducted between 1998 and 2001. Findings have been reported on prevalence, demography, auditory performance, communication skills, educational achievements, and quality of life, costs including costs of compulsory education and costs incurred by…

This fact sheet on assistive technology for people with mental retardation (MR) defines assistive technology, notes how it can benefit people with MR, discusses how it is used by people with MR, lists factors to consider before using assistive technology, outlines barriers in obtaining assistive technology for people with MR, and mentions two…

The paper addresses issues in libraries' architectural accessibility for disabled students. A history of awareness regarding accessibility is recounted and the increased acknowledgement of need for services for disabled persons is underlined. The author points out steps that may be undertaken to provide accessibility in ways other than major…

This essay outlines general criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of an existing or proposed sign system for libraries with respect to the needs of physically disabled library users, specifically the deaf, the blind, and those confined to wheelchairs. The function of the International Symbol of Access is described, and design considerations…

The bibliography contains a list of 126 basic references on barrier free design. Entries include research reports, reviews of government activities, guidebooks on design of buildings and facilities, handbooks for simplifying daily activities, and discussions on general issues related to barrier free design. Entries are arranged alphabetically by…

Examined sex and 14 other demographic variables in relation to whether clients were accepted or rejected for rehabilitation services. Found that sex accounted for a negligible amount of the variance in acceptance, and that severity of disability accounted for the largest portion. (Author/ABB)

Describes education and training in Wisconsin intended to encourage participation and advocacy by citizens with disabilities. Various projects were undertaken with support from the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities. Topics presented include project benefits, lessons learned, and prospects for change. (CH)