Describes the design and evaluation of a desktop virtual reality program that was developed to teach children about the accessibility and attitudinal barriers encountered by their peers with mobility impairments. Investigated attitudes, grade levels, familiarity with individuals with a disability, and gender. (Author/LRW)

Fifteen congenitally blind subjects were involved in a route-finding experiment in a complex architectural setting. Compared to sighted controls, subjects planned the journey in more detail, formulated more decisions, and used more units of information. On a cognitive mapping exercise, the blind subjects performed virtually as well as sighted…

A review is presented of Office of Civil Rights rulings on the eligibility, assessment, and accommodations for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Emphasis is on requirements of the law for educational settings and differences and similarities with requirements of the…

A three-step program to assist people with disabilities in identifying their on-the-job accommodation needs, understanding their rights to accommodations and procedures for requesting them, and communicating needs to employers is outlined. Student personnel workers can use the approach to prepare graduating students to advocate for themselves…

New computer software, developed to advance technological applications, may inadvertently reduce computer access of disabled users. Increasing graphical applications not usable by blind persons are creating concern. Advocates for persons with disabilities are urging software developers to alter existing programs and develop new ones with…

The article describes the major titles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and discusses who is affected, explaining how the ADA affects youth sport programs. The terms "readily accessible,""readily achievable," and "undue burden" are discussed according to their ADA definitions and their effect on youth…

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that, in most cases, nursery schools, center-based child care facilities, and home care providers be accessible to children with disabilities. Collaborative teams of child care and early intervention providers are suggested as an essential part of the early childhood education and…

This article summarizes and evaluates changes in the British national curriculum resulting from the Dearing review, with special emphasis on effects on students with special needs. Major issues and changes in each subject area are identified. The article sees increased accessibility for students with disabilities but remaining problems in some…

A survey of 28 Rhode Island mental health agencies examined the number of clients with deafness served and the accessibility of services. Over 70% of respondents had served deaf people during the past year, 25% provided certified interpreters, and 39% were accessible via telecommunication devices for the deaf. (Author/JDD)

Discusses how the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides the disabled greater physical access to buildings, buses, and communications, as well as greater access to the job market. Emphasizes the advantages of hiring disabled workers because of their determination to overcome their handicaps, and suggests that their inclusion in the…

Public schools are not specifically mentioned in any one of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) titles. Cites a number of other federal laws and sets of regulations that already hold schools to standards that meet or exceed ADA provisions. Summarizes provisions of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Education for All Handicapped Children Act. (MLF)

Discusses physical disabilities and laws for "mainstreaming." Presents a checklist for classroom safety for the physically disabled. (PR)

Current practices in faculty education pertaining to college students with learning disabilities are reviewed. Discrepancies between the evolving faculty role and current education practices are examined, and guiding questions are proposed for expanding education efforts to keep pace with the faculty role in providing access for students with…

Discusses how to enable library staff and patrons with disabilities to use the resources of the Internet, including access to the computers themselves as well as access to the electronic resources and tools that make up the Internet. Topics include universal design; adaptive technology; and guidelines for accessible Web pages. (LRW)

This article elaborates on three universal design for learning principles that guide the process of selecting materials and methods according to individual differences and minimize barriers: provide multiple, flexible methods of presentation; provide multiple, flexible methods of expression and apprenticeship; and provide multiple, flexible…