The post release experiences of 68 mentally retarded children were interpreted in light of historical factors occurring during the period of community placement (1970 to 1985). A relationship was noted between policy development and improved experiences, especially of children with severe/profound levels of retardation. (Author/DB)

This article discusses how persons with developmental disabilities construct identities as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB), and how policymakers handle LGB issues. It discusses disabling practices and demonstrates how they can be uncovered out of and within policy. Recommendations are made for amelioration, along with suggestions for creating more…

Examines how collaborative, community research on adolescents can generate local data to guide community policies and programs on behalf of adolescents and contribute to our scientific knowledge base. Discusses the limited utility of the scientific knowledge base for nonresearchers interested in promoting youth development at the community level.…

Discusses the issues involved in outdoor education in the 1980's and outlines priorities for the organization of resident camp programs. (CM)

To assess the nature and importance of family support and education programs which have increased in number during the last decade, this prepared statement addresses three questions: (1) What is known about the ways in which context, defined as factors outside the nuclear family, affects a family's capacity to rear its children and build a…

The fifth of five volumes on the means by which Canadian communities can reduce the incidence of mental retardation, minimize existing impairment, and improve the quality of life of the mentally retarded, this booklet focuses on issues raised by the first four volumes, discusses the current system of support and services in Canada, and offers…

This article reviews policy developments in deinstitutionalization and community inclusion in North America, specifically the United States. It begins with a critique of the continuum concept and the associated principle of the least restrictive environment. Past and current controversies surrounding deinstitutionalization are then examined.…

Policy questions related to outcome assessment, such as determining the critical outcomes of schooling and how indicators can be measured, are analyzed. State and local efforts in special education outcome assessment are described, and policy considerations for designing an outcome system that includes students with disabilities are examined. (JDD)

Presents a vision and a national strategy for civic networking based on the development of the National Information Infrastructure. Topics addressed include a public interest communications policy; benefits of civic networking, including improving services and reducing government costs, reducing poverty and health care costs, and improving…

Empowerment evaluation is the use of evaluation concepts and techniques to foster self-determination, focusing on helping people help themselves. This collaborative evaluation approach requires both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. It is a multifaceted approach that can be applied to evaluation in any area. (SLD)

This report documents a study examining levels of literacy among 2,948 Canadian adults with a mental handicap. Chapter 1 examines different approaches to defining literacy and considers the relevance of these approaches to adults with a mental handicap. Chapter 2 identifies issues that arise in measuring levels of literacy and provides estimates…

Reviews national efforts to define urban policies and programs from 1960 through 1994, and suggests reasons for the failure of most in meeting the expectations of their advocates or the American people. It identifies principles and policies that should guide future urban policy makers in dealing with the difficult problems facing the modern city.…

This report provides a brief overview highlighting why policymakers should expand the focus of school reform to encompass a reframing and restructuring of education support programs and services and school-community partnerships. The report also suggests ways to accomplish this. It is time for reform advocates to expand their emphasis on improving…

In a few years, the United States is going to have the largest number of teenagers it has ever had; at the same time, crime among teenagers is rising, and the recreational and learning activities and jobs that teenagers need for positive development are becoming scarcer in inner city and rural areas. Efforts in youth programs during the past 25…

Reviews experiences of psychiatric patients in the community. Argues that deinsitutionalization and community treatment of the most needy patients have failed because these movements did not address the sociocultural reasons for institutionalization. Presents economic, clinical, and social hypotheses about why failures have occurred. (Author/MJL)