Outlines the major barriers to independent living faced by disabled persons in communities, and suggests alternatives. Utilizes quantitative data from a survey of 13,000 disabled persons in 319 communities in 10 states and qualitative data from local town meetings and public forums. (FMW)

Describes Computer Access Centers (CACs), created by the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System to help students with disabilities learn job skills and improve their lives. Indicates that, despite fears about program costs, CACs are in place at 11 sites and have expanded access for people with disabilities. (MAB)

An Auburn University (Alabama) program that modified instructional methods to fully include students who use a wheelchair in the chemistry laboratory is described. The program focuses on modifying classroom activities without changing the basic principles taught. The piloting of six modified laboratory experiments is discussed, and recommendations…

A survey of 163 students with disabilities at the University of Oslo (Norway) found that respondents expressed unmet needs, such as a lack of proximity in services and adjustments offered, lack of information about services to which they were entitled, difficult routines in relation to services and examinations, and problems specific to each…

This article examines the acceptability, to regular classroom teachers, of various interventions for adapting instruction and accommodating students with disabilities in the general education classroom, emphasizing the areas of homework, grading, and testing. (Author/DB)

Differences between the Rehabilitation Act (1973) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) (ADA) with respect to "reasonable accommodations" in academic settings are examined. Development of the meaning of reasonable accommodation in case law is chronicled, and ways in which the ADA may expand the meaning are explored. College and…

This article proposes some techniques for enhancing large-character computer access systems to enable users with partial vision to operate them more easily and efficiently. These techniques involve mapping several areas of an application's screen into large characters and adapting this mapping in a context-specific way. (Author)

This paper reports on a research and development program which developed a more effective interface between personal computer (PC) users with disabilities and computer systems. The program emulates a PC keyboard, enabling disabled PC users to access standard software via a binary (switch) control element. (Author/DB)

Discussion of the potential for academic libraries to provide improved opportunities for patrons with disabilities focuses on access to online information, including online catalogs, campuswide information systems, CD-ROM products, graphical user interfaces, and electronic documents. Other considerations include location of online resources,…

The Western Canadian Centre for Specialization in Deafness of the University of Alberta facilitates the entry of not only deaf but other disabled students into postsecondary education. This paper describes advocacy activities and research in clinical, communication, and educational areas. (JDD)

Questionnaires completed by families and teachers of 1,009 students with severe disabilities were analyzed in terms of 4 conceptual models of integrated student placement: a programs/facilities model, a socioeconomic model, an advocacy model, and a combined model. Teacher advocacy and Individualized Education Program characteristics were most…

Describes how career services offices can facilitate handicapped students' search for and acquirement of rewarding careers. Suggests general guidelines on proper attitudes and helpful operations, ways to make offices physically and attitudinally accessible, integration of disabled persons into mainstream services, and tailoring programs to…

Examines the barriers faced by preschool children with visual impairments in gaining access to the environment and presents some approaches to reducing those barriers. The importance of early identification, early intervention, a team approach for the provision of educational services, and parent participation is discussed. (CR)

Discusses the difficulties people with disabilities may encounter when accessing Web sites. Describes specific problems of those with visual disabilities, auditory disabilities, cognitive disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and physical disabilities. Information is provided on how Web sites can be designed to overcome disability barriers.…

Reviews federal legislation related to the responsibilities of colleges and universities under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide accessibility to information for students with visual impairments. Litigation, statements, and letters of findings from the U.S. Department of Education,…