Most efforts to understand and support self-determination have dealt solely with adolescents and adults, sometimes overlooking and excluding the foundations in early childhood that are required for successful emergence of self-determination. The purpose of this article is to share what is known about early self-determination and to suggest how…

This study of 26 preadolescents' peer relationships incorporated peer nominations, peer interviews, and direct observations on the playground. Results indicated students with disabilities attending special schools experienced a variety of peer relationships including reciprocal nominations as preferred peers as well as low social status, lack of…

This article presents guidelines for providing individuals with severe disabilities with a wide range of personal choices. It provides a rationale for teaching all individuals to participate in meaningful choice-making; describes basic types of choices; and suggests ways to generalize choice-making skills across settings, times, and people. (DB)

This paper presents five systematic phases for bringing about successful regular education inclusion of students with severe disabilities. Phases include develop networks within the community, assess school and community resources, review strategies for integration, install strategies that lead to integration, and develop a system of feedback and…

This newsletter theme issue focuses on issues in including students with disabilities in regular education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act calls for students to be placed in the least restrictive environment, which is presumed by some educators to be the regular classroom. The drawbacks of separate programs are not felt to be…

This article explores the dialectic nature of technology and holism as an example of the way in which reductionism is embedded inside holistic principles. Factors that limit or enhance the activities of individuals with learning disabilities in school and elsewhere are examined, and the role of technology in compensating for and/or developing…

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for assessment and individualized education program (IEP) planning teams regarding the consideration of assistive technology. The guidelines provide recommended practices that will assist teams in making decisions about an individual student's need for assistive technology and a decision-making…

Written primarily by camp administrators affiliated with the National Easter Seal Society, this publication is designed to help camp directors meet the challenges of including campers of all abilities in their camp programs. The first section provides an overview of the inclusion concept in general and at camp, and discusses legal and medical…

A 1993 symposium was held in Missillac, France, to gather an international panel of experts to promote international dialog and cooperation, identify technologies for enhancing the lives of persons with learning disabilities, and establish research priorities. This article synthesizes key ideas and issues that emerged from individual presentations…

The Pioneer-Syracuse University Project was designed to help people with severe disabilities find community jobs and become integral participants in their work places, using on-site and off-site resources and supports from job personnel and other community members. Specifically, project staff who had directly trained and supported people with…

This booklet is a collection of stories by people who have facilitated Personal Futures Planning groups. The groups provide an individualized, structured approach to life planning for people with developmental or other disabilities and have been implemented since 1988 in Minnesota. Introductory material describes the process, which starts when a…

For inclusion of students with disabilities to work successfully in schools, a sense of community among faculty and students, a shared mission, and the ability to successfully collaborate with others are essential. Activities to promote collegial relationships among faculty should be a part of each inclusion team's plan for implementing inclusion…

This booklet presents information helpful in implementing laws intended to extend full societal participation to individuals with disabilities. Information concerning the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA) addresses the law's major provisions, provisions for medically fragile children, amendments and modifications, and case…

This book offers a business-centered approach to obtaining employment for people with disabilities. Using examples and anecdotes from the business world, the book focuses on business concepts such as mutual return on investment, high quality service, and customer satisfaction. Building on these concepts, job-placement professionals will be able to…

This manual presents suggested measures which are designed to examine the outcomes of support and service provision on the lives of people with disabilities in Illinois. Included are 30 measures for people and 16 measures for organizations. The measures were developed after initial input from people with disabilities participating in a Community…