This 2-year study examined how assistive technologies are used in educational programs for children who have significant multiple disabilities. Naturalistic inquiry incorporated qualitative collection procedures including observations, videotapes of children, and questionnaires and interviews with teachers and parents. Three groups of children…

This study looks at Canadian families' efforts to begin an inclusive life for their children with disabilities--and for society--"right off the bat," in the child care arena. It examines quality child care situations that welcome children with disabilities. It explores needed reform of public policy and programs to build on those…

As part of a 3-year study to identify emerging issues and trends in technology for special education, this paper addresses the possible contributions of virtual reality technology to educational services for students with disabilities. An example of the use of virtual reality in medical imaging introduces the paper and leads to a brief review of…

This paper offers practical suggestions to educators working with the increasing numbers of students who are technologically dependent and/or medically fragile. Suggestions address the following areas: (1) management of the physical environment and specialized equipment (e.g., maximizing accessibility, equipment in the classroom, classroom…

This paper on postsecondary education addresses students whose hearing impairments fall in the range from profound deafness to a slight loss of hearing. The paper begins with a discussion of definitions and communication methods. Options in academic postsecondary settings are outlined, including mainstream colleges or universities, specially…

This report presents findings from a study of the ways in which interagency efforts by State and local government agencies influence accessibility of services for children with handicapping conditions and their families. The research was designed as a case study of a mid-Atlantic State that has a wide range of demographic characteristics. Thirty…

The Technology Access for Arkansans (TAARK) project has focused on identifying the need for and quality of technology provisions for the disabled in the state, disseminating information, and developing a state plan. This paper summarizes meetings held by six study groups formed to facilitate the planning process. Each group was assigned a specific…

This report describes fiscal year 1989 activities of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and other federal agencies in meeting the legislative mandates of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The first section of the report covers general provisions relating to the Office of the Commissioner, "American Rehabilitation" (RSA's…

Special Training for Exceptional People (STEP) is a private, nonprofit agency serving children with developmental disabilities (0-22 years) and their families in the south-central section of Montana, encompassing Billings and a Crow Indian Reservation. One of the services provided by STEP is specialized family care, to prevent placement out of…

Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986, reauthorizes the discretionary programs of the Education of the Handicapped Act, provides incentives to states to serve an estimated additional 70,000 handicapped 3- to 6-year-olds and creates a new discretionary program to address the special needs of handicapped infants and…

Data from 100 school systems in 34 states show that public schools are in a state of critical disrepair. The physical deterioration of the schools is the result of a variety of factors--including the rapid increase in energy prices, state tax and expenditure limitation measures, and health and safety requirements--that have reduced spending for…

Cost effective approaches for providing services, modifications, and technological devices for disabled college students are discussed. Attention is directed to planning strategies, considerations for determining cost effectiveness, and a variety of ideas actually in use on U.S. campuses. It is noted that the key to cost effectiveness is long…

Recent litigation under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and unresolved issues in the application of section 504 to colleges and universities are examined. Section 504 is a federal statute expressing a national commitment to end discrimination against individuals on the basis of handicap. Three issues that currently confound efficient…

This companion document providing basic information for general educators and other community persons to increase their awareness and understanding of how to meet the needs of handicapped youth in the school-to-work transition, five other companion documents, and an inservice guide comprise a series developed for assisting disabled persons in…

Issues of ethics in higher education, along with a broad overview on the field of ethics, are considered. Ethical concerns include: charges of unfair practices in the recruitment of college students, especially minority athletes; reducing admission requirements to the extent that classroom and even graduation standards may deteriorate; grade…