This article reports on a deinstitutionalization project for children with severe multiple intellectual and physical disabilities, in which 98 hospital residents were relocated to small group homes. Relocation generally resulted in a more varied life-routine for residents, a broader range of social activities and greater contact with their…

Experts (n=31) in the field of autism indicated past progress in the field, were optimistic in continued progress in identifying the biological underpinnings of autism, stressed the role of research, and identified and clarified fundamental concerns and issues of the field (e.g., community integration, outcome and program evaluation, and family…

Seven visually impaired men in India were interviewed regarding their attitudes toward integration and the problems they were facing. Their Intelligence Quotients and levels of anxiety were also assessed. It was found that, for successful mainstreaming, the characteristics of individuals are as important as the social environments in which they…

Discusses the American with Disabilities Act, a civil rights act requiring that all businesses, including parks and recreation facilities, be accessible to people with disabilities. The article discusses discrimination, integration, funding concerns, attitudes, and staffing issues. Information sources are listed. (SM)

This article argues that current models of intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities suffer from conflicting research results and practical implementation problems and discusses alternative approaches, including the need for comprehensive needs assessment, protocols for matching services with needs, interagency system changes, and a…

This study surveyed the beliefs and attitudes of a Colorado school district personnel regarding the inclusion of all students. Responses (n=246) indicated significant differences between attitudes of elementary and secondary teaching staff, a need for more time for cooperative planning, and that the issue of inclusion had created tensions among…

A follow-up study of 73 former special school students in New South Wales, Australia, found that 42 percent were in open employment. Those with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities were generally at sheltered workshops, activity centers, or home. Approximately 54 percent lived with their parents, and 69 percent reported a few close…

This study of 14 children (ages 3-5) with disabilities participating in the Classwide Social Skills Program found that the program increased subjects' positive play and levels of teacher reinforcement, but these increases did not generalize to 3-month or 6-month follow-up periods nor to another play session in the day. (Author/JDD)

A 14-year-old girl with blindness who lived in an isolated religious community in northern British Columbia (Canada) was successfully integrated into the public school system. Four critical issues in planning for integration included family information and involvement, community awareness, empowerment of the individual, and opportunities for…

The use of a teletypewriter (TTY) to help a primary grade deaf child better communicate with hearing peers is described by the child's parents. The article addresses obtaining the two TTY machines, involving the teacher, learning to use the machine by both deaf and hearing children, and the machine's value for developing language skills in…

This article reanalyzes the principle of partial participation in integrated educational programing for students with severe or profound disabilities. The article presents four "error patterns" in how the concept has been used, some reasons why such error patterns have occurred, and strategies for avoiding these errors. (Author/JDD)

This study interviewed 56 resident advisors at the Rochester (New York) Institute of Technology to explore the integration of deaf and hearing students on campus. Hearing students identified specific factors as contributing to positive interaction, including awareness of cultural diversity, communication sensitivity, effective communication…

Three seven-year-old males with autism included in social skills groups with nonhandicapped peers were successfully trained in such social skills as initiating, responding, keeping interactions going, greeting, conversing, giving and accepting compliments, taking turns and sharing, asking for help and helping others, and including others in…

Interviews with 34 persons with developmental disabilities in supported employment indicated that the majority liked their jobs, were satisfied with the help that their job coach had provided, had a voice in choosing their job, would rather work in the community than attend a workshop, and reported having friends at work. (Author/JDD)

This paper defines "inclusion," discusses ways to think about curriculum related to inclusive education, presents a process of curriculum development to assist teams in including students with disabilities in regular classrooms, and provides specific curricular strategies and tools to assist in the curriculum development process for…